Part 1: Monkey Mystery

Ron Stoppable was a boy who was never looked up to his whole life. He was seen as the lowest of the low in Middelton High's "food-chain". However, that all changed last spring at the prom when he walked in with his long time best friend, and partner, Kim Possible. When they entered, Bonnie mocked them by saying, "It finally happened. Kim is dating that loser! KIM POSSIBLE AND RON STOPPABLE ARE DATING!" she laughed. But, unlike the laughter of the whole crowd that she expected, everyone cheered. Bonnie, irritated that nobody was paying attention to her, including her date (Brick), was furious the whole night

The biggest surprised was while they were dancing, Kim and Ron kissed, and I mean really kissed. Snogged, smacked lips, lip-locking, tongue wrestling, tonsil-hockey, whatever you called it, they were doing it! And right in front of everyone I might add! This wasn't a kiss influenced by the Moodulator. This was a kiss that held all their emotions since the first day they were friends. 13 years of unbreakable friendship led to this moment. There were really fireworks when they kissed. No regrets. They were meant to be.

Oh, you may ask this: Who am I?

The answer to that is a secret. I cannot reveal my identity. I am simply known as "The Guardian" and this is the story of one of my charges. This is the story of Ron Stoppable…Zodiac Knight Animorph!

Ron Stoppable was sitting in his usual booth at the Bueno Nacho. It had been exactly a month since the prom and the night that him and Kim Possible were finally a couple.

Imagine this: Kim Possible. Head cheerleader and member of various school councils as well as teen hero/secret agent was dating Ron Stoppable, her long time best friend since Pre-K, partner and sidekick. Ron Stoppable.

Ron sighed happily, not even noticing that his pet naked mole rat, Rufus, was eating the rest of his Nachos.

"Hm, cheese!" the little naked rodent squeaked as it scarfed down the rest of Ron's meal. But, his master didn't care.

Ever since the prom, things have been different for Ronald at school. Jocks were giving his pats on the back and high fives. The geeks and nerds looked up to him as a symbol of hope. And if that wasn't enough, girls were checking him out and giggling. He had become, without a doubt, popular.

Remembering the incident in which he got rich from his Naco royalties, Ron didn't allow all the popularity to go up to his head. He acted pretty normal about it, which was a stretch, since Ron lived by, "Never be normal!"

Right now, he was waiting for his girlfriend, Kim Possible. With summer coming by, Ron was looking forward to spending each and everyday with his best friend/partner/girlfriend.

He had found out recently that the whole school had a betting poll on when Kim and Ron would get together. Guess who won?

Getting off topic, Ron was still waiting for his red head girl. With a sigh, he reached down to pick up a nacho, then looked down to see Rufus had eaten them all. Evidence was that said mole rat was lying in the nacho basket with a bulging belly; face covered with cheese and was burping.

"You little rat!" Ron said in a mock angry tone as he picked up his pet.

"Uh uh! Rat!" Rufus nodded before he was placed inside Ron's pocket. Ron tapped his fingers upon the tabletop.

"Where is she?" he checked his watch. Strangely, the hands had stopped. "Stupid watch! And I just got it!" he yelled with frustration.

"It isn't the watch, Mr. Stoppable," said a male voice from behind Ron. He immediately recognized it and spun in his seat.

"No way…" Ron stared with mouth agape.

"Yes way," the man responded, "And long time no see."

"Libra?"

Libra, the Guardian of the Zodiac Knights was in the Bueno Nacho. He was clad in his full suit of crimson and gold armor and carrying his ornamental staff in his hand. His regal cape hung from his shoulders and his usual headgear, his helmet, held the sharp curved blades that extended from his brow. His face was concealed behind a faceplate that acted as a mask.

"May I sit?" Libra asked politely.

"Sure man! I mean your godhood! I mean!" Ron stuttered.

Libra laughed, "You do not need to be nervous, Ron." he took the seat across from Ron.

"You stopped time again, huh?" Ron inquired.

"Got it in one," Libra answered, "How else was I going to walk around unnoticed in this suit of armor? I'm not exactly inconspicuous you know?"

"True." Ron nodded. "So is this a social call or official business?"

"A little of both, actually." Libra eyed the naco, "Are you going to eat that?"

"Be my guess." Ron was not ready to oppose a god, even if he was a friend. Sides, he could always order another one.

"Grande size," Libra licked his lips, "Out of all your accomplishments, Stoppable, this is by far the most delicious one." he took a bite.

"Thanks sir."

"Don't be nervous, Ron," Libra assured him. "I'm just here to talk."

"Well…what about?" Ron rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"How are you and Kim Possible doing?"

"We're fine! We're tighter than tight now!"

"You finally started dating her, huh, and not because of some crazy microchip?" Libra smiled.

"Pretty much. The Moodulator opened up some feeling that were there. But after that we sorta ignored them and became "just friends" again." Ron answered, "I know I should be having this conversation with my parents, though."

"I know. I understand how you feel," Libra continued, "The only reason I am doing this is because you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age. You see, I was also in love with my best friend. However, I didn't realize it until it was almost too late. I almost lost her for good before I realized how she felt about me and how I felt about her. Wasn't easy, but we were able to keep out friendship as well as go on up the next level of our relationship."

"So, what do I do?" Ron asked, "Dating Kim has turned my life upside down. The jocks see me as a player, the geeks think I'm a hero and all the girls are checking me out!"

"And you're worried that you might lose her because you're afraid you're ego might get the better of you?" Libra asked, "Ron, I saw you then. You had a swelled head with all that money, but you came through like any friend and Kim was by your side the whole time. Besides, what is a relationship without a few hurdles and obstacles?" Libra took a sip of soda.

"An easy one?" Ron answered.

"A relationship takes work Ronald. You kept it up for a month and a half after the prom, I know you can now."

"Thanks, man…I mean Libra, sir!"

"You're welcome." Libra smiled, "I seem to have had this conversation with you before."

"The Eric situation, right?"

"Of course."

"I couldn't believe that Kim went out with that big fake Synthodude! I can't believe I was even jealous!"

"Yet you were, because you were scared to lose Kim. You were cutting the whole denial thing a little too thick, though."

"I know, I know." Ron hung his head back.

"Enough with the chit-chat Ronald," Libra's tone suddenly turned serious.

"Time for the serious stuff, right?" Ron asked.

"Of course," Libra replied, "The time is near, Mr. Stoppable. The tournament is coming and you must prepare yourself."

"When?"

"In about 3 years time. I must warn you that the challenges ahead may be too much for you. I ask if you accept to join the Zodiac Tournament? Are you willing to fight? Are you willing to become the One?"

"I do," Ron answered without hesitation.

"I remember the day I chose you, Ronald Stoppable. It was at the Yamanouchi Dojo where you became a master of Tai Shing Pek Kwar and the wielder of the Lotus Blade. The innocent boy then has become a man. Congratulations."

"Even after I said that being the Monkey Knight was sick and wrong?"

Libra smiled. "Even that, and is that Kim?" Libra pointed.

"Where?" Ron spun around but saw nothing. He then turned back to where Libra was sitting to see he had disappeared. "How the heck does he do that?" he scratched his head.

"Who are you talking to baby?" Kim asked as she sat next to her boyfriend.

"Kim!" Ron kissed her on the cheek. "You came!"

"I wouldn't miss the first day of summer with the greatest guy in the world, would I?" she giggled.

"Damn straight! I am totally badical!"

Kim giggled again, "Let's just order."

"Booyah."

Dear Diary

I can't believe it's been exactly a month and a half since the prom. Lots of things happened last spring. Like, did I ever tell you about this gorgeous guy I met at the cafeteria? Too bad he was a synthodrone. God, how Ron must have felt after I began dating Eric, that No-Good-Lying-Evil-Synthodrone! I can't believe I ever went to the Prom with that fake! Anyway, when me and Ron were tied up, he finally told me how there was a guy for me out there, or "In here." As he said himself. I finally realized how he felt about me and I finally realized that I had feelings for him too. Pretty crazy, right? Well, we defeated Drakken and saved the world. When Ron and I arrived at the Prom, Bonnie tried to get everyone to laugh at us. Too bad it backfired and everybody cheered instead. The music played and Ron and I were dancing. Ron was a wonderful dancer and a total gentleman the whole time. We then embraced in mid dance and continued dancing. I never felt so calm and contented to just be in his, my best friend's arms. We stopped dancing a little bit and looked at each other straight in the eye. There was no awkwardness, it just felt right. Our foreheads touched and then I did something I've always wanted. I kissed him, on the lips. There were fireworks, real fireworks going off in our minds as we kissed with all the bottled up emotions and passion we had for each other. It was great. I finally found my true love and he was right there by my side the whole time. How could I be so stupid to go after every cute guy I saw when Mr. Right was right there by my side? I can't believe how much I hurt Ron. I thought he didn't mind since he was always supportive, but now, I realized that I've been hurting him. How could he ever forgive me?

Because He's Ron.

Because he's my Ron.

Anyway, Bonnie isn't here. Thank God for small miracles. She's spending the summer away with her family in Europe. That means three months of no Bonnie Rockwaller bitching around. Then again, who wouldn't be bitchy if her date ditched her at the Prom? Speaking of Brick, he hooked up with Monique. I have no idea what Monique sees in Brick, but I guess it's because he's a nice guy, big and dumb, but a nice guy.

Anyway, Ron's going to be cooking me dinner at his place. His parents are out of town and he has the place all to himself. He'll be picking me up with his scooter. Don't worry, it's all fixed up and looks brand new, thanks to my parents and the Tweebs.

Oh my god! He'll be here any minute! Got to get dressed!

Signed: KP (Kimberly Anne Possible)

PS: Tweebs (or Wade) if you read this, I will know, and I will hurt you!

Kim saved her latest diary entry and fell back and sighed. She looked at her watch. "Ron should've been here by now. Wonder what's taking him?"

A figure, shrouded in shadows, was doing battle with an unknown being. It was safe to see that he was armored and that he was armed with a 6 foot long battle staff. He swung his staff out to deflect the blows of his opponent. His opponent was in the form of a humanoid mantis, with razor sharp, saw like, claws. The creature swung its claws down.

"Don't think so!" he yelled as he blocked with his weapon. Both combatants stood in a stalemate. It was a deadlock. Suddenly, the warrior's eyes widened from under his helmet. "Shoot! I'm gonna be late! I promised KP I'd pick her up!" With all his might, he pushed back the monster and delivered a powerful kick that sent it flying. It crashed into a nearby wall and the rubble fell over it.

"That's one way to take care of things," he mused. As he turned to walk away, the rubble moved and the mantis creature sprung out with its claws out. It attempted to decapitate our unsuspecting hero.

"Booyah!" the warrior cried as his staff extended and jabbed the creature in the midsection. The creature let out a bloodcurdling scream as the staff's tip turned into a spearhead and impaled itself into its body. The warrior then drew a card from a metal case attached to the right side of his belt and inserted it into his buckle.

"SHOCK VENT!" the warrior sent waves of electrical energy through the staff and into the creature, shocking it to death. The creature dropped dead onto the ground, singed. The warrior withdrew his weapon and walked away from the creature's body as it blew up. A ball of energy rose up and floated into the air.

"Hanumonkey!" the warrior called, "All yours!"

A shadowy and blurry figure leapt up and grabbed the ball of energy before swallowing.

"Glad you had your meal," the warrior laughed, "because I've got a meal to prepare! See ya!"

There was a knock on the door. Just before Mrs. Dr. Possible went to open it, Kim said, "I'll get it!" She ran past her mother and opened the door.

"Good evening mademoiselle," Ron said in a French accent, "These flowers are for you. Roses as red as your hair with leaves as green as your eyes," he complimented while presenting her the bouquet. He was dressed in a nice looking black t-shirt and blue cargo pants.

"Ron, you goober!" she giggled, "That's so sweet!" she took the bouquet and sniffed the flowers. Kim was dressed in a beautiful black dress that came down to her knees and red bracelets around her wrists. She was also carrying a handbag that had her Kimmunicator inside.

"Cootie Alert! Cootie Alert!" Kim's little twin brothers shouted with their megaphones. "Kim's boyfriend is here!" They sang, "Kimmie and Ronnie sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-"

"TWEEBS!" Kim shouted angrily and began chasing them, swinging the bouquet like a club.

"Now listen here, Ronald," began Kim's father, Dr James Timothy Possible, "I know that your parents are away on business and that you'll be alone with my Kimmie-Cub, so I have to set some ground rules."

"No prob, Mr. Dr. P. I will be a total gentleman and I'll have Kim home by ten." Ron raised his hands.

"And no funny business or else it's…"

"Black Hole Deep?" Ron gulped.

"Black Hole Deep."

"Gotcha."

"Gotcha!" Rufus repeated from Ron's pocket.

"Sorry about that Ron," Kim walked up to him and kissed him.

"Like you always say KP, 'No big'." He went back to his French accent, "Would the mademoiselle like to ride the scooter?" he asked.

"Certainly, Mousier," Kim smiled as she took her boyfriend's hand as he escorted her to his scooter.

"They grow up so fast, don't they honey?" Mr. Possible said as he placed his arm over his wife's shoulders.

"I'm just happy that Kim finally found a nice boy and all she had to do was look right under her nose," Mrs. Possible sighed. Both Dr. Possibles then kissed. Then the tweebs walked in. Both twins stuck out their tongues and gagged

"Ew!" Jim started.

"Gross!" Tim finished.

"COOTIES!"

Both Kim and Ron were at the Stoppables' doorstep.

"So, Chef Ronald," Kim joked, "What should I be expecting tonight?"

"Well, KP, I am gonna cook us a candlelit dinner for just the two of us," he grinned.

"I hope it's good."

"Of course it is! Only the best for my KP." Ron opened the door, "Ladies first."

"Thank you."

"I did promise to be a gentleman KP."

"And so you did."

They both walked in. The lights have been dimmed. Ron held onto Kim's hand and led her in. She was astounded by the sight before her. There in the dining room were two lit candles on a small circular table and two plates of lamb chops with stir fried vegetables and fried potato wedges. There was also a bottle of soda and two wine glasses.

"Ron," Kim began, searching for the words, "You've outdone yourself."

"Well, of course I did," he smiled. She kissed him and giggled. Ron had a dreamy look on his face. Rufus crawled out of Ron's pocket and scurried away to leave the two to their privacy.

Ron pulled out Kim's chair and she sat down. Ron took the seat opposite her and opened the soda bottle. It was grape soda. He poured some for Kim first and then poured some for himself.

They both began eating and enjoying each other's company.

"Ron, this is delicious!" Kim complimented.

"It's not that good," Ron blushed modestly.

"Now, don't be modest, Ron. You're good and you know it."

"I guess I am a bon-diggity chef, huh, KP?" he smiled before placing his hand on Kim's. Their fingers intertwined as they smiled at each other.

"I love you, Ron."

"I love you too, Kim."

As they leaned closer to kiss, suddenly the Kimmunicator beeped. Kim groaned and let go of Ron's hand and reached into her purse for her Kimmunicator.

"What's the sitch, Wade?" she asked, obviously annoyed.

Wade Load, the young child prodigy looked at Kim's expression worriedly, "Is this a bad time?" he was still getting used to the fact that his two best friends were dating. He always worried if he ever caught the two kissing, again.

"Oh no…" Kim remarked sarcastically, "I just love it when someone calls in the middle of MY romantic evening with my boyfriend!"

"KP," Ron coaxed, "Go to your happy place."

"Sorry Wade," Kim rubbed her temples, "So, what's the sitch?" she repeated more calmly.

"There's been a hit on the site. A Prof. Edmund Simian needs help. Someone broke into his lab and stole something," Wade informed her. "He's in India."

"We're there," she told Wade.

"And I planned this evening so well! There was gonna be dessert and dancing too." Ron sulked. Kim went to her boyfriend and gave him a loving hug.

"We can always have something at an Indian restaurant," she told him, "That is if you don't mind."

"Okay, Kim." He called, "Rufus! Mission time l'il buddy!"

TBC…