Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. This is just a Kim possible fanfiction.
Summary: Ron stoppable, the sidekick, the BFF of Kim possible has been gone for 24 days, taken over by a malicious alter personality but Kim is the girl that can do anything and she was able to bring him back, but not the normal Ron those 24 days have changed the lives of Team possible and the world.
AN: I decided to rewrite the story because I abounded a long time ago. In my mind it was an interesting story I had to write but I didn't write it properly.
The automated specter V3 jet landed in a private airfield on Thursday morning. He had bought the air strip a couple of months ago. The aircraft was one of the best stealth jets ever built, completely undetectable by any sensor known to man. It was how he had gone around the world the past year incognito. Reaching speeds of about Mach 13 it could get him anywhere faster than any other aircraft, but he didn't need to go anywhere else. He was home. He was in Middleton
So he stepped out of the jet that was still cloaked. To an outside observe it would have looked like a young man had appeared out of nowhere and was just standing in the middle of an empty field. He started walking out of the airfield with nothing but a backpack where he kept his clothes and a couple hundred dollars.
It was at around 2 pm when he finished a perimeter check around his neighbourhood it seemed GJ had stopped watching his house. That would soon change. There were no cars out front so his parents were probably still at work. It was a shame it had been a long time since he had talked to his parents aside from the post cards he would send out once a month letting them know he was okay. Now he would have to talk to them when he got back sometime on Sunday.
He walked in to his house for the first time in nearly 9 months. He took in the nostalgic smell his house always seemed to have. Baked cup cakes with a sweet smell. "It's good to be home." He thought to himself.
After dropping of the bag in his room he went down stairs and wrote a note to his parents explaining that he would probably be back Sunday and left the house. He should have gone across the street to his second home for years and let her know he was back but he decided to take care of business first. And there would be plenty of time later on for the 2 to talk.
He headed to his third home and grab a snack while waiting. On his way to Bueno Nacho he walked past a couple of security cameras with his ghost shield down. Something he hadn't done ever since he left Middleton so this was the first time he was visible on any cameras, sensors or any detection device.
Once reaching Bueno Nacho another nostalgic smell hit Ron's nose diablo hot sauce and ground beef. He had been to the chain restaurants all over the world but this one was different. It was better than all of them. This was the true home of the Naco and so many memories with KP before everything went down.
This was his kingdom and the King was back. With a smile on his face he walked to the counter where he saw a face from a lifetime ago. With brown glasses and a green tie over his shirt.
"Ned my man." He said greeting his friend with a cheery smile, and that's when he saw recognition finally hit Ned's face.
"Ron is that you?" Ned asked. Granted it had been a while since Ned had seen him, and he looked different from back then. A lot had changed in 9 months, he had grown taller, added more muscle making his frame leaner than lanky unlike before and his face was angular.
"Yeah it is." Ron replied.
"Wow I haven't seen you in a while." Ned said still a little bit shocked.
"Yeah I was gone for a bit but now I'm back."
"Well that's great. Business has been down since you've been gone and it would be good to see you around." Ned said with a chuckle that also caused him to laugh a bit
"Yeah don't worry with the way things are I'll be here for a year before I have to go to college." While thinking of what this year might hold for him. "Any way Ned hit me with 2 Naco combos." He said giving his order
"Okay" Ned said typing away at the register "Grande Size?" Ned asked what should have been a rhetorical question and looked at Ron for an answer.
"Ned. Ned. Ned. Ned. Ned. Huh." He said waving his hand nonchalantly "Do you even have to ask?" he asked rhetorically.
Ned gave a little chuckle as he typed in his order "it's good to have you back." He told Ron sincerely.
"It's good to be back." Ron said back. As they waited for his food to get ready Ron caught up with Ned on how he had been doing the past couple of months and the new policies that Bueno Nacho was introducing.
He got his food and went to sit down at the same booth that he and Kim would always sit in. As he waited he ate his food. The Naco was the best he'd had in months he knew it wasn't because they made this Naco differently than the ones he had in London or Cape-town. It was because of the connection he had to this place. From creating the Naco, to getting his first royalty cheques and from the dates with Zita and hanging with KP it was what made this place what it was.
As he continued to chow down on his food he noticed 4 men with blue grey jumpsuits getting into position on the nearby buildings and 4 minutes and 21 seconds later 2 armoured SUVS showed up near the front of the restaurant. He assumed several more were in the parking lot. 2 minutes and 14 seconds later after a perimeter check and securing all exits, a woman with an eye patch dressed in a form fitting blue jumpsuit that accentuated her curves walked into through the front door. A total of 33 minutes and 46 seconds since he passed that first security camera on the way here.
They were getting better, he actually thought he would have time to finish his second Naco before they came for him. A miscalculation and correction he'd have to make on his part.
"You're a hard man to find." She said as she sat down opposite his booth as more agents filled into the restaurant. She tried to seem relaxed and confident but he could see the crack in her armour when he looked into her eye.
"Only when I don't want to be found, it's part of the Ron factor" He said with a goofy grin trying to ease her worry and continued eating his second Naco.
"Then I guess we will have to add it to your file." She said with a joking manner of her own. "We have to bring you in."
"I know just let me finish this." He said whilst eating his Naco "You know GJ never has good food on stock so I have to get in as much of this while I still can." Waving around his Naco at the Director of GJ.
"I know. It's why I had Agent Du grab us some takeaway it's going to be a long week and I'll have an agent regularly pick you some up while you're in custody."
He appreciated the gesture of imprisoning him but still getting him a healthy dose of Bueno Nacho. Once he finished his second Naco he complied with her request as they walked out. Even when she put the cuffs on him. They weren't necessary just like the hood she put on his head, they only accomplished aesthetic purposes to help ease the minds of the other agents in the car.
After a day of brain scans, urine sample, blood samples he waited in his interrogation room for an hour. And true to her word the Dr. Director walked into the room with his test result and a take away bag from Bueno Nacho.
"Chimerito combo… Grande Sized." She said as she dropped the bag in front of him and sat down looking over the test results in her hand.
"Thanks I was starving." He said as he as he opened the bag and devoured his food.
"This is your 5th one today… If I didn't know any better I'd think you were trying to bankrupt Global Justice one Grande size at a time." She said as she continued to look over her files.
"You know what they say about a growing boy needing food and all." he just replied. "Anything good in there?" he asked looking at the files in her hand.
"Well the test came back clean. No brain washing. No subliminal messaging. No cloning. Brain waves match the ones we have on file. Conclusively the tests show that you are 100% Ronald Dean Stoppable." She said as she put the files down on for him to pick up.
"But you don't believe them." He said looking over the files while still eating his taco
"No I don't." she replied honestly "While Zorpox was active our systems where compromised. We still haven't found out the exact damage he caused but he could have switched out your previous brain scans with his just in case of a situation like this. And like is said 'you are 100% Ron Stoppable' according to the tests. So that's who I assume I will be talking to for the time being."
"Well for what it's worth it is me you are talking to."
"Okay. Good then I do have some questions for you Ron. Where were you? We scoured the globe looking for you. A lot of man hours and resources spent on the ground and behind computer screens reviewing camera footage."
He knew about their man hunt for him they weren't the only ones looking for him but they were the ones dead last on his trail.
"Believe it or not when, you spend your teen years globetrotting all over the world helping a teen superspy, you end up finding a lot of good hiding places to hunker down. And throw in my natural ability to be unrecognized and I can just disappear."
"You still haven't told me where exactly."
"Like I said hiding places some in Europe, others in South America the best in Southern Africa." He said answering her question without a real answer.
"Okay, next question then. Why did you break out of GJ custody and go into hiding?" she said staring him down
"I didn't trust GJ. Secret government agencies are known for their duplicitous agendas. Like illegally tapping someones phone, putting cameras in people's rooms and trackers on them." He said with a smile slightly accusing her of all the things they did to him before he broke out.
"'Duplicitous' that's a rather high vocabulary word Ronald, you sure there's not a little bit of Zorpox in you?" she asked making an accusation of her own.
"I've been reading a lot while I was in hiding." He answered partially lying.
"Okay then why hide from Kimberly?"
"I needed a vacation. Alone."
"So that's why you're back. Your done with your vacation."
"Yes." He lied convincingly but she didn't buy it and he didn't expect her to so she just sighed
"Well then it's good to have you back. But we still need to run more test. There are also matters of the legal ramifications of Zorpox's stint as a global conqueror. However seeing as you have turned yourself in willing underwent test to disprove Zorpox's control and there were no other incidents since his defeat. Once all the test are done you will be allowed to go back and continue your life under probation for a period of 6 months which also means you won't be allowed to travel outside of Tri-city area without authorized supervision.
"After the period of 6 months you will still be required to check in with your parole officer for another period of 2 years. Due to your back ground and efforts in saving the world GJ will be directly responsible for you as well as assign you a parole officer and such. This will be a private arrangement so there is no need or worry of any of this showing up on your public record."
"However should you break the terms of this arrangement you will be charged with all the crimes Zorpox committed while under control of your person" She said picking up the files that were on the table. "Do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am." He said finishing the last bits of his food
"And seeing as you are a minor you will also be expected to attend school whilst still under probation. Would you like to be put in the senior year class or would you prefer to start your junior year all over again?"
"I'd prefer the senior class, but I may not have the transcripts or previous grade for that."
"No need to worry we can arrange a testing phase with your school and get you in the senior class. Good, now besides food do you have any other request while you wait for the results of your other tests?" she asked him as she stood up.
"I'm good. But could you get me a Naco Combo next time." He replied back.
"Then I will see you later for the last test." She said walking out of the interrogation room "We will get the results by Sunday and you will be out of here by the afternoon." As she left him behind.
They were done with the initial test to find out if Zorpox had taken over his body. And now they were going to test him to find out what threat level they would assign to him and create contingencies just in case he ever went rogue or Zoprox returned.
"Good thing their not the only ones that are duplicitous" a voice at the back of his mind said before cackling wildly, but he didn't wince, like he had been doing for the first couple of months. No he just ignored it. Choosing instead to think about the next couple of weeks they were going to be very important.
By now Kim would now he was back in the picture. But they'd have to talk on Monday after school and sometime within the week the school send emissaries to bring him back. He'd also have to go back to school another tiring but necessary part he had to play.
Dr Director had been sitting back in her office reviewing all of the files she had on Ron. From the camera footage they had in his house from the secret camera which had seemed to have been compromised. To the test result from his threat analysis.
On paper it seemed he'd he was in the clear a threat level of 5 out of 10. It had moved up from the days of the Ron Factor but it still wasn't nearly as high as Zorpox's threat level and she got the gut feeling that he had been holding back. The same gut feeling that had been haunting her since he tripped that first security camera 3 days ago. It was like she was being played all over again.
She had underestimated great evils twice. She lost an eye the first time and the second time she'd almost lost the world. She was going to keep her eye on this one with every available resource she had and make sure she didn't fail again.
A knock came at the door and she pressed a button under her desk letting the person in.
Will Du her number one agent walked through the door. Despite what people thought of him he was a damn good agent and although ruff around the edges he always got the job done.
"Ma'am." He said greeting her.
She gestured to the chair for him to sit down and tossed him the file on Stoppable while she waited for him to read the developments.
"A threat level 5." He said when he finished reading the file.
"Yes. It seems 9 months have done Stoppable some good, he's faster, stronger and smarter but no apparent signs of Zorpox."
"But you believe there could still be a possibility of his return?"
"Yes and not only that. There is another possibility that he he's already back and is just fooling. Which is why I have sent agents to monitor him and for the time being you will be his probation officer for the next year. He will have to check in with you every single week. He also knows the consequences of his failure to comply. I also want a weekly progress report on surveillance of his movements" She said giving him his orders.
"Yes ma'am."
"Good release him in four hours. His house is still being bugged. It seems some of our previous bug where compromised and I also want to see if he'll be able to detect them this time. Dismissed." She said reliving him.
He stood up and walked out of her office leaving here there. It was Sunday afternoon and she already had a headache from reviewing the files ever since Saturday night but she kept pushing off the need to sleep. That gut feeling told her to be alert and that's what she was going to do.
GJ held him longer than he originally thought, but they had finally released him and Will Du drove him home after reading him the riot act and spiel about checking in every week. Even with the smug attitude he could still sense the fear with in him, but he wouldn't have to see him for another week thankfully.
He walked into the kitchen to find his mom and dad waiting for him.
"Oh Ron!" his mother joyed to see him, rushed to give him a tight hug that he returned while his father came behind him and hugged him as well turning it into a Stoppable family hug. Missing only one other member.
"Hey mom. Hey dad." He said hugging his parents
Once the hugging was done the Stoppable parents stepped back and got a look at their son and how he had changed in the time he was gone.
"Kim told us something happened to you but she didn't exactly tell us what." His father said as they grabbed their seats around the kitchen table.
He calmly explained to them what had happened when Zorpox had taken over and the months after that when he disappeared but he didn't mention exactly where and what he had been doing. He tried to limit the amount of lies he told his parents.
"Well it's good to have you back son." His father said.
"Yes it is. But you can't go on missions anymore they are too dangerous and you're grounded for a month." His mother added on.
He looked to his father and he seemed to agree with her. Now was not the time to argue with them so he simply nodded and accepted his punishment for the most part.
"Now what are you going to do about school? You've missed an entire year." his mother asked. The school year was going to start on Tuesday.
"I know. I'm going to go over there and tomorrow and talk with the Principal so that I can do my senior year this year. GJ organised it. And I promise to do better this year." He told his parents sincerely.
Before he was never the best student, always an underachiever even though he was in honours classes he always did the bare minimum just to scrape by with the help of Kim and Felix. His parents seemed to accept his promise.
"And dad I was hoping to use a little bit of the cash in my trust fund to get a car so that I can move around. Can you approve the transaction?" he asked his dad. Ever since the incident when he became a millionaire and let himself get a big head. His parents made sure that all of his Naco royalties went into his trust fund that he couldn't access until he was 21. Until then his father managed his fund. His trust fund had been slowly growing over the past years.
His dad seemed to contemplate over the decision for a while and it seemed that his mother had decided to let him decided.
"Sure Ronald. But be responsible when picking the car. You shouldn't get anything to flash and expansive. Chose something practical and reliable. I will wire the money in your account in the morning."
"Okay thanks dad." He was glad his parents where trusting him. "Now I'm tired and I think I'm going to bed right now." He said getting up and saying goodnight to his parent as he headed to his room.
He reached his room and picked up his phone from the bag he left on Thursday and dialled KP's number and just sent 'I'm back, talk tomorrow at 12 Bueno Nacho, bring rufus. –Ron.' And sent it. Afterwards he went straight to his bed and relaxed himself.
He'd have a loaded schedule tomorrow. Searching for all of the bugs GJ put in his house while he was in custody and reprogramming them. The tests to fix his school problems. Buying a new car, he needed a pair of visible wheels to drive around Middleton. Then there was the talk with KP. Now however he had to take care of today's last agenda. He could feel himself being called to the mindscape and he chose not to ignore it.
After seconds of meditation on his bed he entered his mindscape. A mental fortress where he could commune with the demon in his mind.
He materialised in a white and sterile room with nothing in it but 2 chairs and a round table in the middle of them. The table had a map of the world on it with a couple of red x's marking some locations.
He took his seat on the only chair that was available and looked across him to look at Blue who seemed as crazy as ever tied down to his chair in chains. He looked just like Ron besides the blue skin, sinister smirk and crazy look in his eyes.
"Your plan isn't going to work out. Too many variables. They could screw up everything for us. Especially her". Blue had a way of speaking the truth and twisting it to his dark agenda.
"I don't care I'll make the plan work. I wasn't going to live the rest of my life as a hermit in the bases."
"Well your weakness for them will cost you in the end." he said with a twisted smile.
"Like your weakness for Kim cost you, your victory." Ron said with a smile of his own.
"Yes. True but that very same weakness for her that we both share will give me my chance at redemption. So go ahead Ronnie we both know how this plays out. You're going to get attached to the cheerleader and the rat. You know her tendency to stick her nose where it doesn't belong and her constant…" thankfully he stopped himself before he began another rant on KP. He was still salty after the first time and Ron had been getting an earful whenever he went into the mind scape.
"As I was saying they will make you sloppy and with their influence you won't have the heart to do what's necessary for what's coming."
"That's not going to happen. I'll be ready for what's coming."
"Well it doesn't really matter in the end you will hesitate and I will take over. Don't say I didn't warn you." He said before breaking into another mad cackle. "Boo-yah-haha-haha."
"Thanks for the warning." He said with sarcasm dripping from his voice "Good talk Blue but now I have to go. Let's not do this again unless you have something serious to say." He said before exiting the mindscape and truly going to bed.
Kim stood in her room in her mission gear waiting for Wade to run a trace on were the text message wasn't from. She hoped the text was real and not some hoax from someone trying to fool her. She heard the Kimmunicator activate and pulled it out of her packet to talk to wade.
"Kim I ran the trace on the text and it came from Ron address, then I got satellite imaging and thermal scans on his house. He's really there." Wade said with a happy look whilst still in his pyjamas.
"Thanks Wade." She said dropping the Kimmunicator on her desk and going to change out of her mission gear into her pyjamas, it was almost midnight and she didn't have to fly out to find out who was sending her fake texts.
Once out of her mission gear and into her pyjamas she snuck into the tweebs room to get Rufus. The little guy had been looked over by the twins whenever Kim was busy or was going into a dangerous situation.
"Rufus he's back." She told the small rodent in her hand as he yawned cartoonishly from being woken up.
"Hnm." The little guy said confused, his mind still a bit fuzzy from his nap.
"It's Ron he's back." She explained.
Once he understood he started jumping up and down on her hand more lively than he had been the past couple of months.
"Yeah were going to see him tomorrow at Bueno nacho." She told him which seemed to quite him down damapaning his mood but he still had a smile on his face the same as Kim.
"Ok." He said still barley containing his overall happiness.
"You'll be sleeping with me tonight and we will go over to him later today."
He stood at attention like a little toy soldier before saluting her then jumping up and landing on her hand on his back ready to sleep. The little guy must have been tired. So Kim carried him of to her room where she placed him in his little cot by her night stand and after tucking him she went into her own blankets.
Some nights sleeping next to Rufus brought an ease to her sleep that she greatly appreciated. He was her last connection to Ron. And to tomorrow when she would be reunited with her best friend and he would go back to Ron she would sleep easier. That was how the world was supposed to be. Rufus sleeping next to Ron and her best fried just a couple of houses down from hers. Them going on missions together and celebrating at Bueno nacho all together after a successful mission. Them going through senior year together. Team Possible back in action.
She went to sleep with a smile but a thought creeping at the back of her head trying to ruin her thought, what if it wasn't Ron that texted her what if it was someone else pretending to be Ron. A certain Blue skinned mad genius that was actually competent. But Kim tossed that thought away, she hoped it was Ron even if it wasn't really him she would get him back after beating that twisted demon if it controlled he friend.
After an early morning of reprogramming the listening devices and cameras that were placed all over his house Ron had completed his first task of the day. Now the bugs would transmit would continue to transmit a loop of audio and video whenever he wanted by the push of a button from one of his watches. He had complete privacy from the GJ bugs and would have to reprogram the bugs from the school when they'd come to bug his house.
Ron had nothing against The Yamanouchi School but just like GJ he couldn't trust them yet.
"The only one you can trust is us." The voice at the back of his mind said but he chose to ignore it even if it was telling the truth.
He finished eating breakfast with his parent and caught a ride with his dad to the school. It would open tomorrow for the first day but he still had to sort out the whole issue of basically missing an entire year of school by writing a couple of tests.
He walked through the empty halls of Middleton High school headed straight to the Principal's office but before he could get there he heard a sound that he was glad to hear. He hadn't heard in months, one that had scared him ever since freshman year.
"Stoppable!" he could hear Mr. Barkin shout from one of the classrooms "What are you doing in my halls." Barkin continued shouting as he got a bit closer to him.
Before he left Barkin used tower over him but now they were the close to the same height and Barkin still outweighed him in overall mass and bulk. That would slow down Ron in a fight so he wasn't intimidated by the 'Ideal man' in Barkin's eyes 'Big and strong'. Ron went with half of those requirements and was satisfied with being strong.
"Ah Mr B long time no see." He replied
"9 months to be exact Stoppable. 9 blissful months of peace and tranquillity." Barkin lamented.
"Don't worry Mr B I swear those moments will continue to be peaceful and tranquil, I'm just headed to the principal's office to write my placement exams." He explained trying defuse the elder man from going on a tirade about him.
"So you're the student the principal talked about?" he gave him a curious glance.
"Yeah. I think so." He answered unsure if it was him but then again there probably weren't many students that had to take their placement exams today.
"Okay. Follow me Stoppable." He said turning around and heading to the classroom he shouted from a few minutes back.
Ron followed suit not wanting to aggravate the man purposefully. When he reached the room, Barkin gestured to an empty chair for him to sit down on.
While Mr B fiddled with a couple of paper he told Ron "Listen up and listen good Stoppable in my hand I hold the keys to your future." He said in his gruff voice waving around the papers in his hand "You pass you get to do your senior year with the rest of your class but if you fail you redo your junior year. Do you understand?"
"Yes Mr. B."
"Okay good now you have 3 hours to complete 6 different quizzes basically summing up everything you missed in your junior year." He said giving him his test "And I want complete silence I'll be watching you like a hawk so no funny business." He said as he grabbed a chair and dragged it back to Ron's table and watched him closely and looked at his watch "Now begin."
The test were rather easy so he passed the paper back to Mr B who had been grading his test for the past hour in complete silence with a grumble coming from him, from time to time. Ron just sat in the same chair staring at Mr B like 'a hawk' waiting for him to finish grading the papers.
Barkin left the room after grading the papers and left the room giving Ron the old 'The bell doesn't dismiss you. I dismiss you.' Glare which Ron obliged and came back a couple of minutes later.
"Well stoppable, you pass and are officially enrolled in the senior class. However due to your absence over the past year you still have some missing credits. But don't worry we will remedy that over this coming year along with your SAT's. And as your guidance counsellor I would advise you to fatten up your resume for college applications. It's looking a little bit slim. Subpar grades, No noteworthy extracurricular active…" Barkin went off and Ron was about to protest but Barkin shot him another glare.
"And no the Middle Mad Dog mascot doesn't count as noteworthy and neither does getting rescued by a girl on a daily basis." Barkin said not properly appreciating the art form that mas the Middleton mad dog the banana foam cream was more than noteworthy it was revolutionary but Ron held his tongue and let him continue.
"No! Noteworthy extracurricular activities, multiple disciplinary issues i.e constant overdue assignments and tardiness. Flooding the school cafeteria. Son if you want to get into a good college you don't have the substance for it."
"And I agree with you Mr B. which is why I'll try working harder on my grades I'll even take A.P. classes and I'll try to join the football team." Mr barkin eyed him curiously.
"Well from your placement test do give you the right to join the A.P classes and the football team has just lost Brick flag. After 7 years the boy managed to graduate leaving his spot behind. You can try that out." He said giving Ron a psychotic glare "But be warned Stoppable, they're going to be a lot of young men gunning for that spot and you may have grown a bit but you will still be facing people stronger than you, faster than you and overall hungrier than you so be warned."
"Noted." Ron said standing up to eye level with Barkin.
After starring each down for a couple of seconds Barkin said "Good now get out of my school and comeback tomorrow at 7 AM to get your schedule and don't be late." Stepping aside to allow Ron to walk out of the classroom
"Sure Mr B I'll be there. Even if they don't open the school till 7:30." He said as he walked out of the room.
With his school issues solved it was time to move on to his 3rd task of the day. He checked his watch and saw he didn't have enough time to go shopping for a car before meeting KP so he was going to Bueno Nacho to meet up with her and buy the car later.
Ron was right on time to meet KP. Diablo sauce and cheese hit his nose when he opened walked into the restaurant. The place was a nearly empty and their booth was free so Ron walked up to the counter to order.
"Hey Ned. How's it hanging" He said greeting the assistant manager.
"Hey Ron. Well rush hour is about to start in a couple of minutes so just preparing to brave the storm." Ned replied back.
"Cool. Okay hook me up with 4 Nacos, 3 Quesarito and Tortilla salad." His standard Naco night order he always got with Kim and Rufus "Oh and extra cheese on that." He said remembering Rufus always loved extra cheese.
"Sure that will be 7.52." Ned replied after typing in the additional order.
"Okay." Ron said pulling out a 10 dollar note from his wallet. "And keep the change."
"Thanks Ron!" Ned said, pocketing the change.
He heard the doors open and turned around to see his red headed friend walk in to the restaurant. She headed towards him like a rocket the twins built. "Ron!" she shouted and within moments he was caught in another tight hug but this one was almost bone crushing.
"Hey KP." Was all he said. Still letting her try to crush his internal organs. It felt good, he had missed her so much when he was gone.
When they finished hugging he felt something moving all over his body. It started at his leg moved under his pants and climbed up his back and rested on his shoulder jumping on it. He grabbed his naked mole rat and gave it a hug "Hey buddy." And Rufus got livelier after that while Kim went in for the second hug with Rufus between them.
It was good to have them back again. His best friend in the whole world and his favourite buddy.
"And you are already attached Ronnie that was quick." Blue taunted him.
"Shut up and let me enjoy this." he replied still savouring the moment of their reunion.
"Um Ron, you're orders ready." Ned said behind them bringing their moment to an end.
"Okay Ned." Ron said breaking up the hug "We'll talk at the booth." I'll be right behind you." He said Kim turning around to go grab the food.
"Sure." Kim said turning around walking towards the both. Rush hour had begun and more people where coming into the store so they had to save their spot.
Rufus just climbed back up to Ron's shoulder. After picking up their food Ron and Rufus followed Kim to their booth
"The Naco night standard." He took his seat opposite Kim "And extra cheese just how you like it buddy." He said as Rufus nosedived from his shoulder into the one of the Nacos already going at it. He looked at KP "It's good to see you Kim." He said following Rufus's lead and eating a naco while Kim started picking at her Tortilla salad.
"It's good to see you to Ron you've…" she eyed him closely "Been working out."
"Yeah a lot push ups and crunches will do that to you."
"How long have you been back?"
"I've been back since Thursday and I would have reached out sooner but GJ held me for test to make sure I wasn't Zorpox." He said causing her to wince when she heard Blue's name "And it's me. They released me on Sunday. Which was when I called you. Anyway Kim how have you been?"
"Good actually. I've been busy looking after Rufus, helping my dad at the space centre and my mom at the medical centre. Then there's the babysitting and my job at Club Banana. I'm saving up for a new car." She conveniently left out the part where she scoured the earth looking for him.
"That's good to hear. What car are you looking to buy?"
"I'm just looking to get my own so that I don't have to drive the tweebs places whenever I borrow my parents' cars. I might get a convertible sports car I don't know which yet."
"I'm also looking to buy a new car. I'm buying it later today do you want to come?"
"No I can't, I have work later on. What car are you looking to buy?"
"My dad told me to get something practical and reliable… and not too flashy so I might get a truck or a SUV." He put his Naco down and looked at her He could tell she wasn't interested. This wasn't the conversation she wanted to have with him right now. "Go ahead you can ask."
After a moment of hesitation she asked the 2 questions she had wanted to ask since she had gotten his text "Where were you Ron? And why did you leave."
"I was in self-imposed exile KP." He answered but it seemed like she wanted more information "You know I remember everything he did, while he was under control." He said slumping in the booth a little bit "I was there at the back of his mind the entire time he was in control. It was like I was tied down to a chair with a front row seat for all of it. The sick and wrong, the horribly twisted and outright atrocious action he took using my body and I couldn't do anything about it." He told her honestly "When he was finally defeated, I hoped it would be over but I was flooded with the guilt of everything he did. I couldn't live with myself over what had happened so I isolated myself from everything and everyone. I knew if I stayed everyone would try to convince me that it wasn't my fault. That I was just another victim. But at the time I felt I didn't deserved it. It was my fault. Zorpox was the manifestation of my darkest aspects magnified by the Attitudeanitor. So I went into hiding. That was going to be my penance complete and utter isolation."
"So what happened? Why are you back?"
"Well for a time I did just that. I hid out in a small country in Europe where no one would find me and I wouldn't be a danger to anyone. But after a while I realised that even though he was gone he was still winning. He was still ruling over me causing me to live like a hermit. I was punishing myself because of him so I stopped. I decided the best way for me to win back control was to be a better me. He was my darkest aspects so I was going to magnify my best aspects. I started working out, reading more overall just being better. I even travelled the world to enjoy the beauty of the world he almost destroyed. And now I'm truly back and better than ever."
"Wow Ron." She said after taking a moment to process everything he just said "I'm glad your back and I'm even more glad that you're improving yourself."
"Thanks KP. And I know you searched the entire globe trying to find and probably used up a lot of favours trying to locate me. I'm sorry about that, it wasn't your fault I just needed more time to figure things out."
"No big. You're back now and how did you know I looked all over for you." She eyed him curiously.
"Cause you did the same thing I'd do if you ever went missing." He answered honestly
"That's what best friends are for." She smiled at him.
"Yeah Kim." He smiled back
"So what about school tomorrow. I mean like you missed an entire year."
"I went in earlier today and fixed all of my problems so I'm good on the school front we'll both be seniors tomorrow."
"That's great Ron. School hasn't been the same without. Some of the cheerleaders even missed the Middleton Mad Dog. We still haven't found a replacement."
"Yeah absence does make the heart grow fonder. But I won't be back in the Mad Dog costume. Barkin said I needed a more noteworthy extra-curricular activities. So I'll be trying out for the football team."
"Well that's even better. Your Mad Dog will be missed but I'm glad it won't be back."
"Hush Kim, there is no need for such blasphemy." He said in mock outrage folding and holding his head high which Rufus seemed to follow. HE understood the true worth of the stoppable Mad Dog.
"I'm sorry but it true. We missed it out of nostalgia but we still know how ridiculous it really was especially the foam." She said whilst laughing
"The foam was revolutionary." And he laughed too.
He noticed that whilst they were talking it seemed rush hour was dying down. "So Kim what time do you have work?" he asked looking at his watch for the time
"At 2." She replied
"Well then we have 40 minutes before you have to go to work." He said knowing it took 30 minutes to get to the mall luckily she had finished her salad while they talked.
"Shoot. I guess I have to go work." She said standing up from the booth
"Yeah me too I have to go get the car." He said standing up from the booth to go and hug her before she left "I'll take Rufus. We have some catching up to do to."
She gave him another bone crushing hug "I'm glad your back." She said for the 10th time.
"Me too." He said when they broke apart from the hug.
"Bye Ron." She said which he responded with a bye of his own and Rufus waved goodbye. She walked to the exit and looked back one last time for a last look before she waved and left going to her job.
"Well it's just you and me buddy." He said while sat down to finish his last Naco that Rufus hadn't eaten and less than a minute later he was headed out of the restaurant with Rufus in one of the pockets in his cargo pants taking a nap.
"Wow that was such an incredible performance even I almost believed you." Blue said while Ron was walking to the car dealership. He ignored him.
"I honestly didn't think you had it in you. I thought you would have cracked under her scrutiny and your weakness."
"I did what I had to. I can't let her get suspicious. Like you said she has a penchant to stick her nose where it didn't belong."
"So that's why you took the rat from the cheerleader. She would get suspicious if you didn't take him with you."
"No I took Rufus with me because he's my buddy. I ate the tracker she put in my Naco that Rufus didn't eat. Now shut up I hate having these conversations in daylight it weakness my concentration."
Ron was just going to buy a car nothing dangerous. Which was why he didn't mind the tracker in his food, it was her way of showing she cared. It would be useful for keeping Kim's mind at ease. But like all the other bugs he would reprogram it later.
"Wade is the tracker on now?" She asked staring at her Kimmunicator. She had put a tracker on his food when she knew he was distracted. While they were talking she was scared that Rufus would eat the food with the tracker in it but thankfully he left it for Ron.
"And…" Wade said while typing away at his computer and with a finger that he waved around before entering one last key "It's active" He said as the Kimmunicator showed his and Rufus's locations "It seems he's headed to the car dealership on 4th street"
"Yeah he said he was going to buy a new car to day. Keep me posted on his movements Wade. I just want to make sure he's safe."
"Yeah me too." Wade said before Kim switched of her Kimmunicator to get back to work.
"Keep who safe?" Monique asked when she returned from the stock room carrying some clothes
"It's Ron. He's back." Kim explained to Monique. Like everyone else she hadn't really told her friends any details about what happened to Ron and why he went missing. She had been dodging their questions the entire time. The only people she actually told where her parents' and his.
Monique shrieked dropping the clothes on a nearby table "Girl! You must be so happy!" and rushed over to hug Kim
"Yeah I am" Kim said enjoying their embrace.
"Have you talked to him yet?"
"Yeah I just came from talking to him."
"Tell me everything!" Monique said excited to hear some new gossip "Where has the boy been and what has he been doing?"
"We have work." Kim tried to remind her friend.
"Oh look around this place is practically empty." She replied waving a hand to show the few people that were in the store and looked at Kim looking for juicy details.
"Okay, okay. Well he just told me he was travelling the world."
"Girl isn't that what you guys always did?"
"No Moni, what we did was globetrotting going from place to place to fight the bad guys. He said he was travelling the world as in actually visiting places and enjoying it." Kim explained
"Wow that's great. Will he be going with us to school?" She asked
"Yeah, he'll be a senior with us he even said he'd join the football team." This caused Monique to burst out in laughter.
"Seriously… is that boy kidding… didn't he learn from the last time he tried to join every single sport in school." She said still hysterical.
"Actually, I think he's going to make it this time." But Monique looked at her like as if she said 'Smarty mart clothes are just the same as Club Banana' and she didn't blame her "You would too if would've seen him today he looked good." Kim said remembering how much better Ron seemed today
"Like how good?"
"Like Bobby Johnson when he spent that summer at basketball camp and came back a hunk."
"Wow. Seriously?" she asked
"Yeah he's changed."
"I'm still in shock, Ron is a hunk now and you think he's a hunk. If feel the world is about exploded."
"Yeah I know… wait, wait what?" she asked when she finally understood what Monique said. "I don't think he's a hunk I just said he changed." She said defensively.
"Yeah he changed into a hunk." Monique said with a devious smile that was implying certain things and wiggled her eyebrows to top it off "If you were telling the truth."
"I was but I didn't mean it like that." She said still defending herself "We're just friends." She said trying to stop the blush from showing on her face.
"Well if he turned into a hunk and you're not going for it. Would you mind if I went for it?" Monique tried baiting her.
Kim didn't know how to respond so her mouth just stayed agape while she tried to think of a response.
"I'm just playing girl. Don't fret I won't go for him girl code and all that so don't worry" she said as she went to the table to pick up the clothes she dropped earlier "Bye Kim."
Kim still stood there trying to process what had just happened. Monique had just implied something that just existed in the realm of impossibility. She and Ron had always been friends ever since pre-k. A friendship that had survived everything.
"No we're just platonic." She thought before going back to work she just had to focus on work today. Now that she found Ron and he was okay she could also focus on senior year and spending it with her best friend. And not try to upset the balance of nature.
Ron and Rufus stared the man down his office. All three of them refusing to back down. This was a delicate process. From the moment Ron walked through the door the salesman 'George Scott' had been trying to seduce and mesmerise him, buttering him up to try and fatten his commission. Ron wished the guy no ill will but game recognise game and Ron wasn't going to lose this one.
The guy knew his stuff when it came to the car Ron had chosen. From the 210-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 engine with electronic ignition and 254 lbs.-ft. of torque, to the 5-speed automatic transition. The guy had done his best to oversell the car and with the premium audio system, an extra 4 speakers and CD player. All in all the cost of the actual car itself was around 10000 and with the added feateures plus a good commission it would be $11000 , but George had been trying to push for $14500 with an extended warranty of 6 years.
Ron had the cash for it, his dad had sent the $21000 dollars into his account. But it wasn't about the money it was about the principle. He wasn't going to get played like some newbie.
He pretended to have a short conversation with Rufus before saying "$11300 with the premium audio system, the CD player and a 3 year warranty. Final offer." Rufus folded his arms and stared the man down even hard. There were no emotion is in their faces just steadfast, unrelenting determination.
None of them blinked because they knew the first to blink would be the first to lose. With 4 eyes burrowing into him George finally blinked "Fine. Deal." He said extending his hand to shake Ron's hand then Rufus's hand "You guys are really good negotiators." He chuckled easing the tension in the room "You're basically committing a day light robbery."
"I don't even believe that for a second you've made a decent buck of off this deal. Speaking of day light robbery does this dealership even have a 6 year warranty?" he asked humorously causing George to laugh.
"Yeah it actually does… and you'd be surprised how many people get it."
"But not me I'm good with the 3 year deal."
"Yeah I was hoping to get you on it seeing this is your first car and you came here to buy it alone. Okay Mr Stoppable and Rufus I have to go file the paper work for your 3 year warranty and the added entertainment features on your car. This might take a while but you can wait here while I finish up everything then you can drive home in your new SUV." He said as he stepped out of the office.
So he decided to stay in the office to wait for the car "Good job buddy." He said fist bumping Rufus. The little guy helped in the negotiations intimidating George. Rufus added that restrained and dangerous look to Georgie acting like a little Jiminy cricket stopping Ron from getting cheated and Ron let Rufus believe that which was why he was so happy on Ron's shoulder.
He had passed his test his parents had secretly given him to see how responsible he was. He had chosen a good car following his dad's criteria. The SUV wasn't flashy but it had a good design and good millage. A 5 seater with plenty of room in the back in case they wanted to transport something. The true definition of practical and reliable plus he had saved up $10000.
He suddenly felt the presence of the 2 shadows that had been following him the entire day sneak into the office. He remembered his time in japan doing the dragon course which was the base course. They taught them how to easily break into a place's and how to disappear. These 2 shadows however seemed to have undergone further training. If Ron wasn't alert he never would have felt their presence when they snuck into the room, but he always had his guard up.
They must have seen that this was the only place they could actually talk to him privately. His house was under surveillance and bugged and everywhere else would be too public.
"Stoppable-san" The female materialised from the shadows of the corner wearing her ninja gear. Spooking Rufus and causing him to go hiding in Ron's pockets. Sometimes ninjas were too subtle.
"Hey Yori and…?" He said looking at the other corner were a male ninja hid.
"We have not been officially introduced." he said in a smooth voice "I am Hirotaka it is my honour to truly meet you." as he materialised "As well as you Rufus-san we apologise if we may have startled you" and Rufus finally came out of hiding.
"Sensei has sent to extend an invitation to you and Rufus-san. We ask you to return to the school to continue your training." Yori said while both she and Hirotaka bowed.
"It would be my honour to return to the school, but I must humbly decline the offer." Ron replied bowing.
"Why so Stoppable-san?" Yori asked as everyone stopped bowing.
"It is your destiny to return to the Yamanouchi School." Hirotaka added.
"There are many reasons why I can't return to japan for the time being. Having been away from my family and friends for far too long being chief among them. There is also the matter of my Global Justice probation." He gave her his sentimental and lawful reasons why he wouldn't go.
"But the Yamanouchi School can prepare you for your destiny Stoppable-san." Yori said still trying to sell Ron on the idea of going back to the school.
"I think that Sensei would agree with me, that destiny will always find a way of fulfilling itself training or not. And I if the invitation still stands in a year I will return to the school." He told them leaving no room for argue with him.
"Okay. Stoppable-san." They both conceded
"Send my regards to Sensei." He told them both.
"Of course Stoppable-san it will be our honor." The both said in unison as they turned to disappear into the shadows.
"Oh and Yori it was great seeing you." He said causing her to blush.
"As it was seeing you Stoppable-san" putting on her mask to try and hide the blush "Goodbye Stoppable-san and Rufus-san" she said before she disappeared with Hirotaka.
He felt their presences leave the room and finally leave the building.
"Good riddance that school would have made things a lot more difficult for us and slowed you down even more."
Blue was right an entire school of ninja would have made it a lot harder for him to sneak in and out to do what was necessary. Especially with the near omniscient Sensei nearby. It was difficult enough hiding his presence and activities from the older man when he was so far away. It would be near impossible to do that when head have to see him every day at school. So he'd keep his distance from the school.
Ron spent over 4 hours at the car dealership. Test driving the car, negotiating with George and the impromptu talk with Yori and Hiro, waiting for the shop to add his entertainment system, signing the cheque and all the insurance forms. Once he was done George had given him his business card, in case Ron wanted to buy a new car or extend his warranty.
He pulled up into the drive way of his new car and parked it just outside the garage. He got out of it carrying Rufus in his pocket and take out Bueno Nacho in hand, that he got after making a quick stop on his way home.
His parents came to see him outside and started inspecting his new car. After dropping of the Bueno Nacho in his room he walked out back out to get the verdict if the liked his new car.
"Good Job Ronald." His father being the first to congratulate him.
"Yes dear, good job." His mother following suite.
"It looks good, decent mileage. It's a nice sensible car"
"Yeah it's Practical and cost effective dad. I even got it for a good price. $11300."He said as Rufus got out of pocket and took his spot on his shoulder.
"Oh that's a good deal." He dad commented.
"So what are you going to do with the rest of the cash left in your account?" his mother asked.
"Nothing. I think I'm just going to keep it in case of emergencies." He answered
"Well dear your father and I just want to tell you how proud of you we are." His father hugged her showing a united front "We were a little bit worried that you would show up in a showy expensive sports car or something like that." She expressed her worries
"It's okay mom. It's like I promised I'm going to be better from now on. I even passed my placement exams so I am officially going to be a senior tomorrow and I'll be joining A.P. classes to improve my resume for college."
His parents seemed to beam with more pride and they hugged him. With the whole stoppable clan in it. Him, Rufus, his mom and dad. When they broke apart they went back into the house. His mom had told him she left him his dinner in the oven. He was going to eat latter. Now he headed up to his room to eat the Bueno Nacho.
Him and Rufus started on the food and finished it with in minuets and started playing video games while he called Kim. After a couple of rings she picked up.
"Hey Kim." He greeted her.
"Hey Ron what's the sitch?"
"Oh nothing much just got the new car and was wondering if you wanted a ride to school tomorrow."
"Wow that's great Ron. And yes on the ride. "
"Yeah I'll be there early, I have to see Barkin before school starts."
"Sure I'll be ready."
"Alright I gotta go." he said dropping the phone.
He realised the drugs he had put in Rufus's food had finally worked on him and the little guy was sound asleep on the chair next to him.
"You should have just added rat poison and let him sleep permanently." Blue advised another twisted solution.
"For the last time Blue I don't kill! Especially my friends" he replied angered by Blue's suggestion.
He took Rufus' sleeping body and tucked him in for the night. He had taken care of almost all of his daily task. His placement exams, buying his car, the talk with KP and reprogramming the GJ bugs. Now he had to reprogram the bug Kim put on him and the visit from Yori added something to his list. Reprogramming the bugs the School had put in his house.
He changed into his pyjamas still keeping his watch on and headed for bed. After pretending to sleep he activated his holo projector from his watch which made a feedback loop of the last couple of minutes of him sleeping. Any person or camera that would be prying in his room would just see the blond young man sleeping. After which he took of his watch making sure not to move it too much.
He wasn't really a fan of the holo projector because it could only display what had happened previously on a feedback loop so he had to limit his movements between when he switched it on and when he activated the loop and moving it could cause discrepancies. He preferred to use his ghost shield which effectively made him invisible but with Wade's tracker in him the signal would have been lost and probably alert Wade and Kim to the disturbance. If that happened he knew it would be minutes before Kim bust through his room and restarted the hunt for him.
While the holo projector was working he got to work finding the bugs in his room. He quietly moved through the room using an enhanced version of the technique the school had taught in the dragon course. Going to the bag he had brought with him from the jet to pull out the watch he had used earlier this morning to search for the bugs. This one had a nonlinear junction detector with an ultra-radiofrequency detector that could find every single listening device in the room and an infrared scanner that could detect any video bugs.
When Blue was in control he had spent a lot of time developing all of these scanners to make sure he wasn't being spied on and Ron had been improving Blue's original scanners over the past couple of months. Just like he had been doing with all of Blue's gadgets and inventions.
Once finding the bug the School put he went to work reprogramming them. He synced them up to his watches so that he could remotely control what the bugs heard and saw. Now he could almost go back into hiding and nobody would know about it until they physically went into his room. He had one last thing to take care of before he was in the clear with complete privacy.
He traced the signal for wades bug using his watch again and pressed a button on it twice. The watch cloned the signal for Wade's tracker while simultaneously disabling the original the instant the clone signal was transmitted from the watch. The now defunct tracker would pass out of his system over the next week
Now he could move freely without worry and with complete privacy. He had completed all of his tasks of the day and his dinner before heading to sleep. He had an early morning with Kim then Mr Barkin.
