Kim Possible and related characters are the property of Walt Disney. Scipio, Hasdrubal, Mago and Gisgo (don't let the 'go' fool you) are in another class.

The not so long awaited sequel to 'Ronicus ad Porta.'

1. Those are the Breaks

The Celtiberi Highlands, Iberia, 209 B.C.

The horsemen fled by the light of their own burning camp. There had barely been time to form up their men before the Romans crashed into them. The Celtiberi were the best fighters in Iberia, but no one could resist the legions when in disarray. Now their erstwhile officers could only race for the concealing darkness.

Their pursers halted where the light ended. The lead rider held up his arm. He was young: his freckled face broke out into a smile. Ears described as prominent stuck out on either side of his helmet. His upraised hand turned into a fist, and his four companions joined him in what had quickly become their unit's new battle cry.

BOOYAH!

In the darkness, the rearmost rider turned at the sound. He swept out his slashing sword, and smacked it against the rump of his horse as the turned to charge. It was one against five, but one never bothered Mago Barca with odds.

"Sir, look out!"

Two saddles were emptied instantly. The horses of two more panicked and carried their riders away. The young officer had just enough time to draw his sword and pull up his shield before his enemy was upon him.

"First you collapse my tunnel, then you destroy the Sun Stealer. Now you rout my new army before I can train it. You know, Ronicus, I'm getting kind of tired of you."

The first slash shattered Ronicus's shield. Mago caught the return thrust on his sword with contemptuous ease. Dropping the useless shield, Ronicus parried the next slash with his sword. At the next crossing of blades, there was an odd twang! and the old Italian blade bent.

A shocked Ronicus had no time to gape at his loss. Mago struck again. This time the blade broke with a snap. Smiling, Mago drew back for the kill.

Then a figure hurtled through the darkness. Sandals caught the Carthaginian square in the chest. He tumbled from his horse, and rolled up to face the person who landed lightly onto the ground.

The Masked Warrior of Mystery settled into a defensive couch, spear facing forward. Green eyes glittered in the dim light as Mago turned to fight.

"Temper much? What would Hannibal say of his baby brother acting so immaturely?"

"Maybe he'd say, 'Shegovia was right.' Out of my way, Kimora, Ronicus is mine!"

Kim rushed to the attack. "No way! I've got dibs on the Ron Man!"

Spear and sword cast sparks as the two sought to gain an advantage. Ronicus jumped from his horse and ran over to one of the fallen soldiers. Seeing the situation changing, Mago drew back.

"Chaos!" His charger came over and he jumped into the saddle. Mago saluted Kim as he spurred off into the darkness.

Ronicus had drawn the sword of the fallen man, but dropped it once he saw Mago ride away. He knelt by the man as Kim came up to him.

"It looks like Spurius is just knocked out. He heard nothing. Decius is beyond hearing."

The rest of the unit was still far behind, so Kim drew up to Ronicus and pushed her helmet back. She kissed him.

"You get too far out in front! Do you know how hard it is to get a horse over these rocks, much less a chariot?" Her eyes betrayed her concern. She began to wind the anchor back into her vambrace, the helmet back down.

"They expect me to lead from the front. I need field cred." He walked over to his old sword, and picked up the pieces. "It's ruined, KP, I mean, MW."

She put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Ronicus wore the same gear as when they had first started to fight for Rome four years ago. At first it was because the antique equipment was all that he had, then out of reverence for the adventures that had brought their love into focus. Now in one night two pieces of that time were lost.

"I'm sorry, Ron."

He gave her that smile she had grown to love, the one that showed his ability to look past the surface and see what really mattered. "I lose a sword and shield, Mago loses an army. It's a pretty good trade, especially when dealing with Carthaginians."

Ronicus's unit was coming up. He clasped arms with Kim; they touched hands as she drew away. It was their secret sign of affection. Kim returned salutes from the other riders as she disappeared into the shadows.

"Can we help, sir?"

"See to Spurius and Decius." Ronicus mounted Samnite, looking down at the shards of his old sword before he set off to report.

Soon the clearing was abandoned again. Someone moved out of the darkness. He bent down to pick up the shards of Ronicus's sword.

The sword is the soul of a warrior. These Romans are strange. To leave it like a broken tool.

He buried the shards, saying a prayer to the spirit of the smith. He then looked to the direction that Ronicus had ridden.

"For every great tree in the forest, there was a seed that had to die."