Ok, so, um, this is my first fanfiction. don't ask why it exists. as usual for these things, Kim Possible characters are Owned, and Copyrighted, by Disney, and by their creators. Everything else: mine.

It was a warm, summer day in Middleton, and the kids of the local high school were in high spirits. Legendary cheerleader, schoolgirl and international crimefighter extraordinaire Kim Possible was just closing her locker and heading of to class when she literally bumped into an old "friend"

"Josh, Hi! Long time no see! How have you been?"

"Oh, hi Kim. I was hoping to run into you here"

"Uh, yeah, well this is my locker, so, you know, not that surprising" She looked at him askew. There was something odd about him, something not quite right. He still looked like the same Josh Mankey that she once would have been tongue-tied to talk to. But that was more than a year ago, and, in many ways, she was a different person. But still, there was something about the way he carried himself, his hand gestures, that seemed out of place. He smiled, and she was caught off guard by it. His teeth looked even more perfect than ever, and his eyes, half closed seemed to sparkle dangerously. She found herself remembering the time they had spent together, and the feelings she still had. She was still fond of him, but she had found something more than fondness with another.

"Yeah, yeah, right. Anyway, I was wondering if we could maybe catch up, see a film, get a pizza, you know, whatever. It was not phrased as a question. With the forefinger of his right hand, he brushed a strand of hair away from his face, and leaned against the locker. His eyes still fixed on hers.

"…What, like a date?"

"Sure."

"Um, look, Josh, I'm sorry, but I just don't think of you that way anymore, and I didn't think you did either, I mean, we grew apart, you said so yourself."

"So? A guy can change his mind, right?"

"Look, Josh, No, I don't feel that way anymore, and I'm really not comfortable with this right now. Besides, I'm dating Ron now, and I've never been happier. Didn't you know?"

"Yeah, I did, but to be honest, I found it hard to believe"

"What!"

"Yeah. Come on, we Both know Stoppable is a complete loser. I mean, he's a nice guy, but, really? As anything more?"

" How dare you!" Enraged, she slammed a hand against the locker in front of Mankey's face, causing it to buckle. " HOW DARE YOU? Ron is the sweetest, nicest guy I know, he has always been there for me, he has never treated me like anything less than a friend, and a lady. No, maybe he isn't the coolest guy, or the most athletic, or whatever. That doesn't matter to me. All I know is that I will never love another like I love him, and that he is the guy for me!" as he ranted, she advanced on him, jabbing him in the chest as she did so, and as she finished, pushed him out of the way and stormed off, knocking him to the ground. While all eyes were on her, Josh calmly stood up, brushed off his sleeve and walked away, as he rounded the corner, a smile sparked up on his lips, and he raised an eyebrow. Without saying a word he stepped into the darkness. There was a brief chuckle, then nothing. He was gone.

Day's, weeks later Kim, while shopping at the Middleton Mall, one of her favourite pastimes, she, again, meets someone she hadn't seen for a long time, Dex, the " smart one" of the boy band, "The Oh Boyz" who had been saved from imprisonment in a remarkably unsuccessful extortion attempt. It was good to catch up, and Kim had always had a bit of a thing for him, ostensibly for his mind, but there was much about him that, in truth, appealed to her. His swagger, his build his smile and no small amount of personal charm all worked together to build one tempting specimen. They grabbed a smoothie, and chatted about nothing. It was nice, it was…fun. But, alas, fun must end

"So anyway, Kim, what about you? Still Saving the world on your own, every night?"

"Pretty much, well, except for the alone part"

"Oh yeah, the Computer dude,…Wade? That's his name right?"

"Yeah, there's Wade, but he mostly stays in his room. No, I'm talking about Ron. You remember Ron, don't you? He got kidnapped with you?"

"Oh yeah. THAT guy, you mean he actually helps out, doesn't just get in the way or anything? I'd have thought that you'd have got rid of him by now. That guy was just so annoying. And he didn't stop talking. EVER!"

she felt herself going red, and her fists clenching in rage. She took a deep breath, and counted to three, then ten, then twenty. In the end it took two and a half minutes worth of counting to get her temper in check.

"Uh, Kim, you ok? Only, you've been standing there for like" he looked at his watch "three minutes nearly, wow, um, just breathing and muttering under your breath."

" I'm fine, but I just wanted to clear up something about Ron. Yes, sometimes, he does get in the way, and I know, sometimes he can get on your nerves, but those little faults are meaningless when compared to all that he brings. He is kind, sweet, funny, and the most loyal friend I have, and I know that when my backs against the wall, he'll be there with me."

"Ok, I guess I didn't realise. To me, he just seemed like the, well, the comic relief. But hey, you know him, not me, not really. All I know is that, boy, do I pity the poor girl who gets with him. I can only imagine what they'd have to go through with him."

Kim had had enough. She kicked him in the shin so hard the crack was heard halfway across the mall, and, without saying another word, she once again stormed off.

Dex got up, feebly, and pushed aside all offers of help, grabbing a broom from a cleaner to support himself, he hobbled his way to the bathroom. As the door closed, he looked around to see that he was alone, then straightened up, dropping the broom as he did so, and smiled. A confident smile. A hungry smile. A wolf's smile. He brushed down his clothes, and, without difficulty, walked to the window, opened it and leapt. He never hit the ground. The cawing of a flock of crows started up, and the whirling of black feathers, and he was gone.

It was Friday, and that meant one thing to Kim. Ron Night. Sure, they spent most of their time together, but Ron Night was something different. It had always been important before they had begun seeing each other, but now, it was almost sacred. It was completely devoted to time together, and most of their friends and family knew not to bother them unless it was an emergency. Tonight, Ron had a free house, as his parent's had gone away for a weekend, and he was taking the opportunity to do something he'd wanted to do for a long time. He had dreamt about it, and thought of it whenever he was with Kim, and tonight he was going to do it.

He was going to cook for her.

Ron was not a skilled man. He wasn't that fast, was smart enough, but not in any academic sense. He wasn't athletic, and he did get in the way, it had to be said, when in any sort of melee, but there was one thing he did better than anyone he know. He was an excellent chef, and he wanted to treat Kim to the meal he knew she deserved. He had researched the perfect recipes, the perfect tastes to complement each other. He wanted tonight to be special, because, to him, she was the most special person in the world. He was busy in the kitchen when he heard the door. He checked his watch. God! Time had really gotten away from him; he still had to fill the profiteroles, then there were the chives for the soup, they needed to be chopped. The bell rang again. He sighed, and rubbed his eyes, leaving a streak of flour on his left cheek. Oh well, he thought as he went to the door, maybe Kim would be willing to wait and have a drink while he finished up. He stopped and looked at his clothes. Finished up and changed. Definitely have to change. Gah, there was flour everywhere. He realised he was just standing in front of the door, and opened it.

" Hey, Kimmie, look I'm sorry, but there's still so…much…to…do"

his voice trailed off and his mouth hung slack as he took in the sight before him. It was Kim, sure, but she'd never dressed like this for Ron Night before, a black number, short cut, and trimmed with red lace. Her shoes also black, stiletto heeled and laced halfway up her lower leg. Around her neck she wore a slim chocker studded with red stones. She wore her hair loose, and had to pause to brush hair out of her eye, an awkward human gesture that just served to make her all the more appealing. She smiled at Ron as he stood gawping at her.

"Well, I guess I should take that as a compliment" she giggled

"Uh, yeah sure" he shook himself back to sensibility, or at least, what passes for it in an 18 year old buffoon like Ron. " You look, wow, I mean, um, you always do, but this is, you look, you're just, wow." He tilted his head and rubbed his neck, a sure sign that he had begun to feel awkward. Kim smiled, she had come to love those little quirks of his personality, those weird little foibles. Besides, it looked like the dress had had its desired effect.

"Ron" she said, cutting him off in mid stutter "Thank you" she leant across to him and kissed him on the cheek. She stopped, and smacked her lips, raising an eyebrow as she did so. "Ron, you've got flour all over the place!" she laughed again, as he quickly rubbed his face, then raced inside to clean up. As he ran of, she could hear him mumbling under his breath

"Oh man! Ugh, and it's in the carpet!"

She rolled her eyes, smiled, and, stepping forward, closed the door behind her.

Ron ran into the kitchen all ready to panic, and stopped. The chives were all chopped, and it seemed like someone had filled the profiteroles while he was away too, but whom? How?

He heard a little squeak behind him, and turned, there, on the counter, was Rufus, wearing a little chef's hat, and saluting, a big grin on his face.

"Buddy! You are a lifesaver, you know that. Thank you so much, I owe ya a whole mess of nacos for this! And all the leftovers you want!"

pleased at the complement, and the promise of a reward, Rufus wagged his tail and did a little back flip.

"But I got one more favour to ask you. Do you think you could keep Kim company while I get cleaned up? I'm a mess, and she dressed up special for tonight."

"Hokay," squeaked the little molerat.

"I owe you big!" he shouted as he ran up the stairs to the bathroom.

Rufus chuckled at his friend, and skittered into the living room.

"Hi" he chirped

"Hey Rufus, is he getting changed?"

"Yup"

"So…has he been working in the kitchen all day?"

"Uh-huh" Rufus nodded, looking sad

"Oh dear. I thought that this would happen. He always goes that little bit to far doesn't he?" she reached down and scratched him on the head. "But, if he didn't, well, he wouldn't be Ron would he?" she smiled.

"Someone mention my name?"

"Ron!"

He had cleaned quickly, and dressed even quicker. He wanted to spend as much time as possible with Kim, with his girlfriend. She had always been in his life, almost as far back as he could remember, but, in the past year they had grown closer than ever before, and he had never known happiness like this. But, just because you're dressing quickly, doesn't mean you can't make an effort, right? After all, she did.

Now it was Kim's turn to gawp. She had never seen Ron dressed up before, not really. For the school dance, a year ago, when she had first realised how she felt about him, he had worn his dad's old powder blue tux, and that was the closest he'd gotten to really making an effort. This was different. He wore a light blue silk shirt, and black suit trousers. He had even gotten himself a pair of spats. Kim had never seen anything like it in her life. She smiled

"Looking good, Ron!"

"Feeling good, Kim" he replied, and chuckled. "So, anyway, dinner will be about half an hour, so what do you feel like doing till then?"

"Mmm, dunno, Ron. Watch a little T.V?"

"Oh, cool, Agony County's on!"

Rufus took this as his cue to leave. It's not that he disliked Agony County, but he could tell when there was something more in the air than television

Ron took his seat next to Kim and turned on the T.V. he settled in, and got comfortable. He glanced sideways at Kim and an evil little grin spread on his face. He yawned, stretching out and placed one arm around Kim. She snorted and turned to look him in the face. He was making I'm-so-innocent whistling noises and looking round the room, eventually, he looked down into Kim's face, and his face froze into a rictus grin.

"I cannot believe that you tried that old move. Explain to me what you thought you were doing?"

He tilted the his head sideways and, with his other hand began to rub the back of his neck as he spoke, a sure sign that he thought that he was in trouble and was trying to think of a way out of it. He gulped. His face still frozen in a grin "Uh, well, I thought that it would be a good idea because it's such a stupid move, and so old, and I thought that you'd find it so cheesy and weak that you'd think it was, you know, endearing." he stopped, and waited tensely for her response.

She smiled and murmured "Mission accomplished", and leant across, wrapping her arms around him. She kissed him on the cheek, and he finally breathed out, his grin relaxing back into its usual goofiness. She rested her head on his shoulder and held herself close to him. He kissed her on the forehead and she looked up into his face. He brushed a strand of hair away from her face, and rested his palm on her cheek, and she closed her eyes and rubbed herself against it. Ron's grin had faded by now. This wasn't a time for jokes, he could tell. He kissed her, softly on her lips, once, and went to move back, but before he could, she kissed him back, fleetingly, but with the promise of more. She placed her hands on his neck, and nuzzled his cheek. He moved his hands to her hip and the base of her spine, and laid her down on the couch. He kissed her on the lips again, then on the cheek, then just behind the ear, then began to kiss his way down her neck. She arched her body against him involuntarily.

"Ron…" she moaned. She knew it was not time, she could feel it, but maybe five more minutes of passion, then she would stop.

Maybe ten.

Maybe half an hour

Maybe…

Eyes open in the darkness, a coiling sign flares into existence then fades instantly. Not yet, wait.

The kimmunicator went off, breaking the spell. Kim sighed, and looked questioningly into Ron's eyes. He shrugged.

"You're the hero. It might be important"

"I know, but I'm being a bad date"

"Trust me, you really aren't" Ron rubbed his neck, where a red mark was beginning to show Kim's affection. "It's alright."

"she kissed him again, and he got up to stretch his legs, while she straightened herself up and answered.

"Go Wade." She sighed

"Sorry about this guys, I hope I didn't interrupt anything too major."

"…It's ok, but this had better be an emergency"

"Try several. No.1; someone has let all the animals out of the zoo and there are wild animals everywhere!"
"Argh! Monkeys!" Ron yelped involuntarily

"Yeah, and lions and tigers"

"But were clear, there are also monkeys out there"

"Ok, yes, fine, whatever."

"Enough!" Kim yelled, sick of the pair of them already. Ron began to pout. She sighed and kissed Ron on the cheek. He brightened up a bit.

"Anyway, Emergency No2?"

"Right, yeah, have you ever heard of the Ebon Eye and Hand?"

"Can't say that I have Wade"

"It's this ancient artifact from the middle east, the only one of its kind. They think it's the only surviving evidence of an ancient civilisation that predates the Babylonians! No ones quite sure what it's for, or what it means. It's usually kept under lock and key in the British Museum, but for some reason it was shipped over to Middleton a week ago. Very hush-hush. There's not even anything on the 'net, and believe me, I've looked."

"Uh-huh. So, let me guess, it was stolen, right? Sounds like the Seniors."

"Yes, it was stolen. But if it was the Seniors, they've changed how they work. Take a look at the video footage."

The kimmunicator's screen changed to the view of a museum vault, heavily guarded. In a glass cabinet sat the item, a scale replica of a human forearm in black crystal. In front of it sat a large eye, in the same crystal, but, unlike a human's, it had a large slit cut into it rather than a normal pupil. The view remained the same for about 2 minutes then, suddenly, the items disappeared, without a sound. After another minute, one of the guards noticed and raised the alarm/

"Woah, that was weird. Could be the Bebes I suppose, but I thought they were out of commission."

"They are, and it's not them. I slowed down the footage and no change. One minute it's there, the next, gone."

"Ok, that's weird, but it's not really an emergency right?"

"Try international incident! The items were originally from Iraq, and were at the British Museum for safekeeping and study, and then they got shipped over here, so the British are blaming us, the Iraqi's are blaming the British, and diplomatic relations are being strained to breaking point."

"Why were they sent here?"

"No one knows!"

"Ok, I guess we've no choice then, we'll do it, but we're going to have dinner first, ok? I know for a fact that Ron went to a lot of effort for tonight." Ron's face erupted once more into a goofy grin.

"Sure Kim, I'm sure that the army and the police can take care of the animals for now anyway, but don't take all night."

"Sure"

"See you guys later"

"Bye Wade, and thanks for understanding"

"No Problem. Have fun!" waggling his eyebrows, and with a big grin on his face, Wade signed out.

Kim rolled her eyes, and headed of to join her boyfriend for dinner.

Rounding up the animals proved easy, despite Ron's gibbering about monkeys. When you've been in as many adventures as they had, a few spare animals seemed no problem whatsoever. The missing artifacts, on the other hand, proved more troublesome. After gaining access to the room where it was last kept, Kim and Ron searched for clues in vain. The place was spotless, no DNA, no hair no fingerprints, nothing. Wades search on the Bebes proved fruitless as well. None had survived the destruction of the last hive. There was nothing to tie the Seniors to the crime, and in fact, they still languished in jail following their last encounter with Kim. Wades searches did turn up something though

"Guys! I'm getting a large energy reading beneath the old abandoned library. It's registering like one of Drakken's lairs, but is off the scales! This might be connected, but be careful, something seems odd."

"You rock, Wade! We'll get this sorted, beat Drakken and see if we can salvage the rest of Ron Night" she signed off and they headed to the location.

Kim had noticed that Ron wasn't his usual chatty self this evening, and took the walk over to the library to try to get to the bottom of it.

"Ronny, sweetie, is everything ok? I know that Ron Night got a bit messed up, but I'll make it up to you."

"Oh it's not that Kim, that's the way things go, nobody's fault. Just something you get used to and move on."

"Then what?"

"look, Kim it's just, you know when we were on the couch earlier, and things got a bit…heavy?"

"Yeah?" she smiled at the memory, then blushed.

"I'm sorry."

She frowned. "For what?"

"For putting you in that sort of situation. For making you feel like you had to do that with me. For pressuring you." He sighed. "It was a stupid thing to do, and it wasn't the right thing to do."

She stopped. "What are you talking about?"

He continued, without really stopping to hear what she said. "It's just that you looked so beautiful, not that you don't normally, and there was something right about the moment, and I couldn't stop myself, and I know that if we had continued, I would have gone all the way, and I might have…hurt you, and I don't think I could live with myself if I did. But it was just a moment of weakness, I guess. That's all."

She smiled. She thought she understood now. "Ron, what makes you think you pressured me?"

He frowned, not quite understanding. "Because I wanted to be…with you?"

"And what makes you think I didn't want to be with you?"

"Yeah, but I mean with you with you"

"And what makes you think I didn't want that too? Ron, at that moment I did, and I doubtless will again. I don't think we are ready for anything like that yet, but do you know what?"

"What?"

She held his hand and looked him in the eye, and smiled gently. "I think were close. I just want it to be special, you know?"

They kissed, briefly, they had been honest about their feelings, and felt a tenderness for each other that was greater even than that they usually felt. They hugged for a few seconds, then continued on their way.

They arrived at the old library, long fallen into disrepair, and began searching for a way into the undercellar, where the energy reading seemed to be emanating.

"Uh, Kim, what do you make of this?" said Ron, pointing at a weird symbol scratched in the dirt above a trapdoor.

"I'd say we've found the entrance, but I don't recognise the symbol at all" she got out the Kimmunicator, and activated it, taking a digital picture of the symbol.

"Did you get that Wade?"

"yep, I'll look into it, and get back to you A.S.A.P"

"Please and thank you! I'll catch you later" she signed out.

A couple of hard pulls on the door opened it, and they entered.

Inside was not what they expected, a ceiling higher than it had any right to be, that defied the laws of physics. The floors seemed to flow seamlessly, as if made of one single piece. It was not stone, not brick, but some kind of unknown metal. Despite many twists an turns, the journey was an uneventful one, save for the constant murmuring of unseen voices. Eventually, the reached a vast hall, almost like a cathedral, with higher ceilings still, and imposing gothic architecture. At the centre, on a lone pedestal, stood the hand and the eye unguarded, unprotected.

"This seems a little trappish, no?" whispered Ron

"Still not a real word sweetie, but your right. still, I gotta try"

"Just be careful"

"Duh"

she pulled out the kimmunicator, hoping to use it to search for hidden laser grids or pressure points, but there was no response.

"Shoot! No signal? Here? We must be deeper than I thought."

She started forward tentatively, keeping an eye out for any strangeness. She made it to the pedestal without incident and reached out for the items, but her hands closed on empty air, as the artefacts swiftly faded from view. Suddenly, without warning the ground in front of her began to bubble and boil, seething. She leapt back, muscles tensed, ready to react. The ground shot up, forming spires and spikes. The ever-present murmuring grew louder, as the now liquid mass before her began to solidify into a towering peak, at the tip of which a throne formed. Around the throne, sculls formed, and statues of beings, some human, others just as clearly not, paying fealty. The few flickering torches that lingered in the corners stuttered and faded, leaving the two effectively blind.

"Kim?"

"Yes Ron?"

"I think we should run"

"Good idea, but where, I can't even see my hand in front of my face"

From Ron's position, a beam of light emitted.

"I brought a torch"

"You are SO getting a reward for this sweetie"

"No big"

they turned to where the passageway was, but it had disappeared, and there was no way out.

"Leaving so soon? Come, come. That's hardly fair is it? I go to such efforts." a voice in the darkness chuckled. Ron wheeled round at the sound, bringing the torch light to bear on it's source, but the batteries died suddenly, plunging them once more into darkness.

"Sorry, no direct light. It annoys me so. Oh, but you're kind need it to see don't they? Well let's see what we can do about that." He waved a hand, and the torches in the corners of the room flared back into light, but dimly, so that he remained shrouded in darkness seated on his throne.

"So, the famous Kim Possible, crime fighter, cheerleader, and all round hero. And, of course, Ron Stoppable, sidekick, friend, and now lover" two eyes flashed red in the darkness then faded "At last we meet. I suppose you're here for these." He produced the two artefacts from the darkness. "I really should have left them where they were, but I couldn't resist, such good memories, and, of course, if I didn't, you wouldn't be here, and we couldn't have this cosy chat."

"Who are you, what do you want with us?"

"Sh, child, patience, we'll get to that. In the meantime, just watch." With that, the strange figure placed the Eye against the Hand. Immediately, the hand grasped the eye tightly and began to hum. "So long since they've been allowed to function, last ambassadors of a lost people. So very sad. I remember when items like this were common, when the Alsicans, the people who made this item, controlled a vast empire. I remember when they sunk into decadence and greed, I remember when they devoured themselves in war, both external and civil, I remember when their slaves revolted and their cities burned. Now there are none left, and no others remember them." The humming had now grown quite loud, and sparks seemed to play on its surface. The dark figure pointed with a night shrouded finger, and the eye seemed to pour a blast of pure darkness and crackling energy at the spot gestured to, decimating the torch, discarded once its uselessness had been determined. Ron yelped.

"A child's toy, really." And with a wave of a hand, they separated back into the Hand and the Eye.

"How did you do that? No-one even knows what they are, who made them. How can you remember a lost civilization?"

"Simple, I taught them how to build the items, and others like them. I taught them the value of slavery, and of conquest. Of course I taught the slaves the value of freedom, and I spread dissent in the ranks of the military, and when it came down to it, I killed the last surviving Alsican, as I have with a thousand other lost civilisations, and will, doubtless do a thousand times more."

"Which leads us back to my original questions, who are you and what do you want with us?"

"in time, first, I suppose I should return these toys to their proper place. They have served their purpose." The artefacts faded from view again. "There, all safe and sound in your little museum. Now, the first question." He stepped forward, out of the lingering shadow, revealing his form for the first time. He stood tall, nearly 7 foot high, and slim and elegant. Dark of skin, white of hair, black of eye. His nose, aquiline, his stance, regal. Where his eyebrows should have been, instead were a line of small scales, and more scales graced the bridge of his nose. Just beneath his eyes jutted horns, as if his cheekbones had burst through his skin, and four small spikes also protruded from his chin. The sneer on his lips revealed his teeth slightly, revealing the sharp fangs of a predator. There was a twinkle of mischief in his eyes. His hair was braided, and long, and hung over his shoulder. Entwined within it, bone and teeth could be seen. Upon his brow he bore a black crown, simple and elegant with a single peak that extended far above his head, encrusted with jewels, also black. His ears were large and pointed, inhuman, and bore multiple piercings. His body, from his shoulders down to his toes, was covered in black armour, rife with spikes and in the style of scales. Upon his chest, at his solar plexus, he bore a large, unblinking eye, similar to the artefact, except that it constantly shifted its gaze around the room, focusing on anything that moved. His hands were completely shielded with black gauntlets, each bearing the strange symbol they had found outside. Each long elegant finger ended in a cruel, sharp nail, almost like a claw. In one hand he carried a goblet, encrusted with jewels. At his shoulders he wore a long cloak, black on the outside, but lined with red. Despite his obviously inhuman characteristics he cut a handsome figure. He looked down at Kim and smiled, and she felt herself blush involuntarily. She looked over at Ron, and he looked away, unable to meet her eye. Inwardly, she kicked herself for hurting him.

"For now, you may address me as The Dark Prince. Please, do not bow, I know it is customary…" they found themselves compelled to their knees. "Oh well, if you insist. No, no, that's quite enough, please."

"Now, to your other question, I want something very simple. You, Miss Possible, I want you."

"What?"

"Ah, Ron, you're presence is no longer needed, you may, if you wish return to your home" the passageway they entered through reappeared once more. "But only you, Miss Possible and I have much to discuss"

"No way, Uh-Uh, I'm her sidekick remember? That means I stay by her side, no matter what."

"That is your decision; however, it may be one you find that you regret. Now Miss Possible, Kim, back to why I brought you here. I have been keeping an eye on you for sometime, watching your little adventures, and I have to admit, that you have peaked my interest" he stepped forward, off the edge of the spire, but instead of falling, he merely stood on the air and continued to walk downwards, as if he were on a staircase, until he stood in front of her. "It is not often that that happens these days, especially on this backwater little plane, so I thought to explore it further. My suggestion is this; Join me, here and let me show you pleasures unending, riches unceasing and power infinite!"

Kim was shocked. She looked at the Prince's face. He seemed even more perfect up close. She was surprised to find that she was tempted. Looking about, she saw Ron, with his big goofy face, and his stupid expression, and suddenly the answer was clear.

"No"

"What!" His grin froze on his face, and the mischief in his eyes seemed to fade, only to be replaced with cold anger

She stepped towards Ron, and took his hands in her own.

"You heard me. I'm flattered, but my heart belongs to another."

The Prince sighed "A pity." He reached out the hand bearing the goblet and let go, leaving it hanging in mid-air, and turning his back to the pair, began to ascend the staircase to his throne. "I had hoped to avoid this, but I'm afraid that you have rather forced my hand." He flopped down in his throne, lethargically, and made circular gestures with one hand. "It has been aeons since I was last defied, and never in matters of the heart, or of want and longing, and I'm afraid I cannot let that stand." He sighed, and pointed at Kim. A bolt of dark fire erupted from his fingertip and rocketed towards her. She shoved Ron out of the way and leapt. The bolt struck where she was standing, leaving a bubbling pool of liquid black metal. She landed a few feet away, but had to roll away quickly as a second bolt leapt at her, and a third, and a forth, countless bolts, each striking exactly where she landed, often only a fraction of a second after she landed.

"KP!" shouted Ron, looking around for a way to help. The Prince merely smiled, and continued to blast away, but with his other hand, he made a slow circle, and then grasped upwards. Ron made to run, but found he could not. He looked down at his feet, and found that the floor had melted and was working its way up his legs. He felt himself sinking into the ground. The Princes began to murmur something under his breath, and his shadow seemed to lengthen, stretching further and further until it reached Ron, then stopped. A heartbeat later, a figure rose from the depths of the darkness, devoid of face or features, a silhouette, but one unmistakable. The silhouette of the Dark Prince himself. It flexed the muscles in its hands and cracked its neck, then walked towards Ron.

"Kim!" she turned at the sound, and gasped in horror, as the shadow grabbed Ron by the throat.

"Ron!" She ran to save him, but a wall of black energy sprung up between them.

"Now, that would be too easy now wouldn't it, child?"

"Leave Ron out of this! Your problem is with me, not him!"

"Mostly correct, but he is a means to an end, no?"

"What do you mean?"

"Simply this; submit to my whim, or Ron dies. You have one minute to respond."

"You cannot be serious!"

"Note serious face!" He laughed. "No, no. seriously though child, have I ever given you reason to believe I am not? Look to your young love, see the danger. Do you truly believe that you can risk not believing me?" the shadow had by now circled Ron, and held his hands behind his back while one hand, with it's deadly nails, was held to his throat. They both continued to sink into the floor.

"Kim, don't do it! I don't matter I…" Ron was cut off as a band of shadow enveloped his mouth.

"Time is running out, what will you choose? The sanctity of your body and your will, or the life of your love? Do you give your all, or retain it and lose the person you would share it with?" he chuckled. " I wouldn't try anything if I were you though, I can't guarantee that my shade won't simply slit his throat if you do."

She looked about the room in a panic, looking for some way out of this situation, but there was nothing.

"Five seconds left! Four…Three…Two…One…"

Alright! Alright, just don't…don't hurt him. Please. Promise me. give me your word that you won't hurt him if I do this."

"Of course. I swear by all that I consider sacred, that if you submit to my wishes now, I will never cause Ron Stoppable to suffer or feel pain." He waved a hand. Ron stopped sinking, but remained rooted in the floor, mouth bound and restrained by the shadow. The wall of darkness dissipated, and the prince stepped towards Kim, masking the distance between them seem immaterial, and encircled her in his arms.

"Child, answer me this: Have you ever known another?" he asked, almost tenderly. She shook her head mutely, unable to speak. She looked to Ron, tears streaming down his face as he looked on, unable to look away. The shade had by now grasped his head from behind, holding it in place and forcing his eyes to remain open. She looked away, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. The Prince raised a clawed finger and, delicately, brushed it away, a gentle gesture that belied his intentions. He raised the finger to his mouth, and allowed the tear to drop onto his tongue. He smiled. "Such a fortunate child, to be embraced by Godhood. I shall try to be gentle" he went to kiss her on her lips, but at the last minute, paused and turned her head, instead placing a kiss behind her right ear. In spite of herself, Kim bit her lip in pleasure. No! She would not give him the satisfaction of responding, she would not betray Ron like that! She felt a slight bump and opened her eyes, realising that she was standing, alone on the ground. In confusion she looked to Ron, and noted with relief that he had been freed, and that the shade and the gag around his mouth were nowhere to be seen. She raced to his side, and embraced him. They hugged for a while, each relieved that the other was safe. They held each other, and kissed each other gently on the lips, then rested eyes closed, foreheads touching.

"How very touching"

They separated, realizing that the danger was far from over. Kim sighed "Look, can we just get this over and done with, please, I just want to go home and sleep."

"Get what over and done with? I consider our bargain fulfilled on all sides. You submitted to me, and Ron is alive and free."

"You mean you but him…put US through all of that, just for a kiss on the cheek?"

"Yes. Why, are you disappointed?" he laughed. "you are both free to go home. Oh, but before you do…" he floated out of the darkness, and touched down to the ground in front of Ron. "I'd like to shake you by the hand, Mr Possible, to show there are no hard feelings, and I'm afraid I must insist on it." He grasped Ron's hand and enthusiastically pumped it. With each movement, Ron seemed to flinch. "My dear sir, what troubles you? Do you still not trust me?" Ron shook his head "Ah, but remember, I swore never to harm you, did I not? I gave my word." Ron nodded, relaxing slightly "Oh, and Ron?"

"Yes?"

"Never trust a traitor" before he knew what was happening, Ron was pinned to the ground, his right hand jammed against his chest, and a knee pressed against his ribs. He went to speak, but felt something sharp and cold pressed against his chest. His ribs. He looked down and gulped. In the Prince's left hand he held a long, wavy bladed sword which was currently being pressed against Ron's ribs. He looked into the Prince's face, dispassionately, as one would look at a bug before crushing it.

Kim reacted first. "Ron!" she rushed forward, and leapt, aiming a kick directly at the Prince's head. Without looking up, he shifted his weight, pinning Ron's hand with his knee, and releasing his own right hand. He raised his hand, to head height, and folded all but his first and second fingers against his palm. Kim's foot connected with his fingertips, and it felt like she had kicked an iron bar. She dropped to the ground, shaking as the force of her own blow reverberated through her body.

Then it was Rufus' turn, emerging from the safety of Ron's pocket and clambering up the Prince's sword arm to bite him on the hand, but, before he could even attempt such a feat, he was plucked from the arm and held against a nearby wall by forces unseen.

The Prince pushed the tip against Ron's flesh, and pressed down on his ribs with his knee. Ron screamed in pain, as his flesh parted, and his ribs creaked. The Prince placed his mouth near to Ron's ear, and whispered "I do not do this because of hate, I do not do this because of love, I do this because I can, and because I must. I offer no excuses, and no apologies." Then, without any expression on his face he pushed down on the sword, forcing it further into Ron's chest, splitting a lung and exiting from the other side, pinning Ron to the ground. The demon headed pommel of the sword began to moan loudly, filling the room with the sounds of pain and mourning, but were all but silenced by the screams of Ron.

Ron's Scream jerked Kim out of her shock-induced daze, and she got to her feet in time to watch the prince twist the blade, remove it from her lovers ribs, and then wipe the blood on his clothes, almost clinically. He twisted the blade in the air, and it disappeared. He seemed almost surprised when Kim barrelled into him, tears streaming down her face, and began to strike him, two fisted, on the chest.

"Why? Why! You promised! You monster! You gave your word!" she punctuated each word with another strike.

"K…Kim?"

At Ron's voice, she ceased her assault, and quickly rushed to his side. The Prince smiled and raised an eyebrow. He had almost felt that last blow. He leapt into the air, landing on his throne, and settled in to watch, shouting as he did so "Do not be concerned. He shall be fine…after a fashion!" and he began to chuckle.

"Ron! It's ok, I'll, I'll go and get…somebody. They'll be able to help, there must be somebody to help!" she went to move away, but Ron grasped her hand

"Kim, it's no use. I can't breathe, and I'm losing too much blood, and by the time you get back it'll be too late." He wheezed. "Please, don't leave me here alone." She sunk down next to him, eyes red from tears, and he rested his head on her lap. She stroked his ears, and ran her fingers through his hair. He smiled, weakly, then winced and began to cough, spitting up blood.

"Kim " he began feebly " there's so much I want to tell you…"

Sh, honey, conserve your strength"

"No! Look, I need to say something before I…go, and I don't want to go before I've said it. Kim, I don't think I would have made it through everything, Camp Wannaweep, School, everything, if it wasn't for you. You've saved my life more than a few times, but it's more than that. You've given me the strength I need to continue, even though it was hard to do so, and your smile, and affection, has let me become the person that I am now. I could never repay you, but I can say this" he coughed, violently and more blood welled up in his mouth. It dribbled down his chin as he talked. "I love you, and I always will" with that, he shuddered, and his throat gave a dry rattle. His eyes rolled up into the back of his head. He was gone.

"Oh Ron, I love you too." A single tear dropped onto his forehead, and the Prince began to laugh uproariously.

And, his laughter ringing in her ears, and her body wracked with sobbing, Kim woke up.