Kim Possible: Christmas Among Friends
A/N: A mission on Christmas Eve that goes badly leads to a surprising intervention from friends of Team Possible.
Guys, all I can say is thank you for your review and faves. So for all of you who haven't reviewed, no problems, I just hope you enjoyed this so far. As for the following, egg nog and/or whatever libation you would like is on me: General Quin, Ran Hakubi, lxk, spectre666, Samurai Crunchbird, JAKT, Pharaoh Rutin Tutin, Sir Sebastian, Bubbahotek, Gibsonmar, Data Seeker, Molloy and Drakonis Aurous. It is my hope that you continue to enjoy this tale and if you have any advice to offer, I'm gonna listen.
Disclaimer: Kim Possible and all the characters of the show are owned by the Disney Company. Any named items, movies or companies mentioned within are owned by their production companies. Any other characters created for this work of fiction are mine alone, except for those I'm 'borrowing' for this tale.
This is a strictly not-for-profit effort, and not intended to offend or upset anyone.
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Chapter 2: Among friends
'Ok, now where the heck am I? First thing I know I'm being used as target practice by a pompous, anger management reject from 'It's a Small World' who is armed with the most powerful laser cannon in the world. Then I see him lining up a shot on KP at point blank range with the stupid thing.' Heavily shuddering at the memory of that huge laser cannon aimed at his love.
'Next thing I know I'm standing in front of the cannon, my world lights up and now here I am, still in my mission gear, standing in front of… a large wrought iron… gate?….on a cloud?', Ron thought as he took in his surroundings, his head swiveling as he looked around.
In front of the young man, about 15 feet away, was indeed, a gate flanked by a tall, solid fence of stone-like material that went on as far as the eye could see in either direction from said gate. He then noticed that he was, in fact, standing on what he determined 'looked' like a cloud. In looking directly away from the gate the cloud seemed to go on forever.
The funny thing was that when he tried to look through the gate, he could not, and was about to walk to it to look through the bars when he heard something coming up from behind him. Turning to see who or what was approaching, he let out one of his patented 'screams of courage' and jumped as high as he ever had in his life, up to then anyway, when he saw what looked like a child-sized blue monkey walking up to him.
"Ahhhh, monkeys! Why does it always have to be monkeys? Even here!?", began the startled young man.
"Ok Ron. Stop with the ranting about monkeys", calmly replied the blue simian. "We both know that you'd gotten over that phobia during your freshman spring at college when you and Chippy saved Kim from that runaway exhibit in the zoo that Monkey Fist sabotaged in the Monkey House. In fact, you were so chummy with the inhabitants of that exhibit for helping save your girlfriend, that you ignored Kim for the rest of the day to swing from the trees there and just hang out. Kim got so tweaked that she cut you off from sex for a week."
"Ok, ok, lets not bring up such bad memories like that one. Sheesh, it was bad enough living through it the first time, I don't need to be reminded of it again. It's just that I still get startled when I see a monkey suddenly. I guess it's something that won't go away. Just like..", started Ron.
"Memories of Wannaweep", finished the blue monkey, as Ron shuddered.
"Ok, nice finish. Am I always this predictable, or have you done some background work on me?"
"Well, you've always been somewhat predictable, and it wasn't all that hard to dig up information on you. You've been an open book for quite some time. That's why you've ended up here for the time being. There are some people here who want to have a talk with you before sending you on your way, wherever that may be."
"Alright, where are they and what do they want with me? And… while I'm thinking about it will you tell me where I am and who you are? I've got an idea of where I might be, and if so, then my fiancé Kim and my unborn baby may be just behind me", replied the harried blonde as he slumped where he stood. "I kind of left KP and the little one in sort of a bad sitch when I last saw her."
"No you did not, and no they will not be coming up just yet", came a voice from the wrought iron gate behind Ron. "She is in no danger at the moment, even though she's staring down the barrel of Professor Dementor's PDVI powered laser cannon." Walking up to him is a rather large Oriental Man who appears to be dressed as an ancient Samurai, dressed in armor with a very familiar sword on his back. At this Ron starts to pale and is visibly shaking, his eyes darting, looking for a way to somehow return to stop his love from being zapped by that laser.
"It's ok. Now stop worrying and .."
"What do you mean, 'It's ok'? Kim's in trouble and I've got to get back there and help her get out of it!", screamed Ron.
"No, I mean stop your worrying about that for now. There is nothing you can do and she is in no immediate danger, trust me, I am certain of this. Now come over to this table and benches so we can explain to you what is going on before meeting with the others who want to speak with you too." At this Ron noticed what looked like a 'picnic table' and 'benches' rising out of the cloud he is standing on. They all sit down, the blue monkey across from Ron and the Samurai. Ron turns to the Samurai as he begins to speak.
"Now as to who we are. First of all I am Toshimiru, the first wielder of the Lotus Blade, founder of the Yamanouchi School, and the first human master of Tai Shing Pek Kwar." Ron nods at this declaration.
Pointing to the blue monkey, he continues: "Before you is Tai Shing Pek Kwar itself. Here is all of what that form of Kung-fu is. Mystical, martial, spiritual, everything. This is what you called upon when you've needed that mystical power to help you watch your beloved's back, if you will."
"Tai Shing was with you when you first called the sword to change shapes for you and Rufus in your battle with Monkey Fist in Japan. This is what manifested itself to you when you called the sword back and when you and your sister Hannah battled Fist again with the Yono later at Yamanouchi. Later still, he, if you will, was with you to defeat those Lowardians who wished to mount your love on a wall as a trophy after they conquered Earth." At this Ron's eyes narrow and his face grows taut.
"And lastly, he was with you when you moved across three hundred feet of open space in much less than the blink of an eye to shield your soulmate from that laser cannon blast of that sadistic", 'Snort', "housecoat wearing baka in Germany. He is always there for when you call upon him. It has frustrated him so when you are so reluctant to call upon his power to help you in your work with your consort to save the world. He wishes to work with you about that reluctance if he may. But that will come after you meet with those who have called you here", finished Toshimiru.
"I see. Well, about that. I don't really know about all of that with me, but I what I am wondering is if I could get back and keep Kim from getting hurt or killed by Dementor. And… by the way, you haven't told me where I am." At this the first Monkey Master nods.
"Sooo, just where am I? I'm kind of scared of what the answer might be, since it could mean that I'm…"
"Dead?", came a new voice from the gate that Toshimiru walked through earlier. "No, Ronald Dean Stoppable, you are most assuredly not dead. Just not in the land of the living for the moment."
Turning around, Ron and Toshimiru saw a man with brown hair, beard, eyes, wearing sandals, and a white flowing robe-like garment belted by a simple rope. His face just glowed with kindness and love as he looked out at the young man. Standing beside him Ron saw another man, a bit larger with flowing white hair and beard and was similarly dressed like the first man who spoke to him. Childhood memories of someone that Rabbi Katz talked about in the children's religious studies classes he taught when Ron was much younger came to mind just then about the second man. Ron also noted that these two were not alone; standing with them were quite a few other men, and some women. They all were in various forms of clothing from the different cultures, different times of the planet.
The other people, he realized, were from the different races and peoples of the Earth, that Ron recognized from an elective Religion History class he took in college. They came from one time or another in the planet's history of the religious. Behind them all, at the gate, was a form of a human that was difficult to make out as the being radiated so bright a light, that it kept Ron from looking directly at the being.
After blinking a bit to get his vision back, he turned back to the latest person to join their conversation, who continued. "Welcome to Heaven Ronald. Though you are on the outside, you are most assuredly there, and these", he said while motioning at the wrought iron gates, "are the Gates of Heaven. You aren't on the inside because you are still alive and will continue to remain alive for many years to come. Of course you can't be told anything about when it is your time to come home. I hope you realize this." Ron pales and nods slowly.
Ron then asked, "Well, if I'm not dead, then why am I here? How did I get here and what's going to happen to me while I'm here? If I'm not dead can I go back? Like now? I really need to get back there right away. KP's in trouble and I need to have her and our child's backs", he said, panic rising in him, while standing quickly.
"Not to worry Ronald. She and the babies are just fine." Stunned, Ron freezes then slumps back to the bench as the significance of this statement hits home.
"Babies? Did you just say babies? As in 'more than one'?"
"Yes, Ronald, more than one. Two very beautiful babies, in fact. They have the best of their mother and father, mixed in with what makes each of you very special. You and Kim will be so proud of them, and your other children, as they grow up. Now we are a little disappointed that you and Kim didn't take things a little slower in regards to how they came about, but we know that in your hearts both of you were going to make things right all around. So take care of them, ok?"
Ron looks a bit sheepish at this and blushes before nodding.
"But for now you haven't been brought here to discuss your children. We," gesturing to those around the table with Ron, Toshimiru and Tai Shing Pek Kwar, "brought you here the moment you were impacted with that laser at the stroke of midnight, Christmas morning in that lair. A little bit of mysticism, religion and monkey business, if you will", he finished, chuckling a little.
"So just sit there and listen for a spell. You are among friends and some of us want to talk to you about something that is very important for you, Kim, your children and all the other innocents of the world you live in." Ron again nods, and the younger, kind gentleman continues.
"First of all we wanted to impress on you the importance of the work you and Kim do as Team Possible. What you do helps so many innocent people. Be it getting a cat out of a tree, to the delivering goods to someone in need, to rescues and searches, from the interruption of those who are out to hurt others, or worse, to finally, taking on some of the most vile of the villains in the world to stop whatever plans they have to bring so much darkness down upon the world. The work the both of you do bring so much relief, joy, happiness and outright justice to so many in the world." At this Ron looks away, back again then nods once more.
"Then there is what you represent to so many of the world. In you and Kim, so many see hope for themselves and others, as well as a shining example of what someone could aspire to be, or what they could do for others if they at least make the effort. It doesn't matter that they don't have the talents, skills, or powers that either of you have, they just have to start using what they possess to work towards making the world a better place for others. The both of you are quite an inspiration to so many in the world you live in", continued the second man with them.
"At times what you do is so effortless and so easy to accomplish. At other times it seems to be just so hard and you feel that you won't succeed, but then something happens in your favor and all is well once again", said an oriental man who was just to the side of the table.
"Then afterward, don't you feel as if maybe you could have done more, been more, become more to help your partner while she leads the way in whatever the both of you are taking part in?", from a little woman who appeared to be from the southern end of the Asian continent. Here Ron looks a bit sheepishly at her and nods slightly.
"But you just don't know what you could have done, or just decide that it is better that Kim takes on the bulk of the work as she seems to be more than capable to do this, or that it is just expected that she would do it all herself anyway?", says a man who appears to be from sub-Saharan Africa. A look of recognition at this scenario comes over Ron as he just looks at the man.
"Yet after a while, you find yourself thinking that maybe she would be better by herself, that you are just in her way, that maybe she should get more competent help in these works of yours, believing she could do so much better than you as you find yourself in the background?", said a woman with a French accent. Again he nods, looking a bit saddened.
"However, you have within you and you know that it is within you, the means of being a more capable, more competent, partner with Kim in your activities with her. Whether it is to just to save a cat, or retrieve someone from a raging river, or assist Kim in taking down some supervillain, you have inside of you the means of completely stepping up and being more than you feel you are in all of that", came from a Native-American man. Ron sucks in a breath at this and starts to shake a bit as he nods.
"You hesitate to call this to you and embrace it fully, don you not?", asked Toshimiru, as Ron looked down somewhat sheepishly. He nods slightly and takes in a long slow breath of air before looking up again, with tears in his eyes.
"Why do you hesitate? And why do feel this way about not calling it to you, fully embracing it?", continued the ancient Samurai.
Looking off in the distance, Ron replies, "As you all are probably aware, I've never been the most confident person, and I've never felt that I was capable of handling that kind of power; that I even deserved to have something like that in my hands. I just don't know if I can handle it so I am absolutely frightened of fully embracing all of that power." He looks around and sees several people nodding to him to continue.
"You've seen what happened to Monkey Fist when he received his part of the Mystical Monkey Power. I have been terrified that this could happen to me. That if it did, that I'd hurt KP, my family, friends, or anyone else, even the bad guys. I didn't believe I could keep from becoming what he was." Gentle smiles appear all around him, all slightly shaking their heads in the negative.
"Then there is the fear that I could become Zorpox again. I really don't want to consider what could happen if he got loose with that power coursing through me", Ron finishes with a hard shudder running through his body.
"So you see, it all comes down to me not believing that I could handle this power, being afraid of that much power and that a part of me that isn't very nice could do so much damage with that kind of power", holding out a hand to the blue monkey.
"I just don't believe I deserve it. If anyone should have received the power it should have been Kim. She'd do much better with it because she's just so much better at what we do and I would find some way to mess something, or her up. Like I always seem to do." Here Ron tilts his head forward, looking down as his body just sinks lower in his seat.
"Ron", spoke the brown haired man, "You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. You're only human after all, mistakes are made, but we get through them and strive to get better, be better in the end", a gentle smile on his face. "A very good friend of mine made some big mistakes when we were on Earth. He didn't have my back when I needed him most. But he received forgiveness in the end, because he was sincere in his remorse about what he had done when I needed his help and he did great things with his life before he came to join me up here. What he achieved in the end was glorious.
"As for myself, I was full of doubts and fears about what I had to do before I came here. I was so afraid of what I was called upon to do that I asked to have the burden taken from me, cause it was just too much for one person to bear. In the end I relied on who and what I believed in and what I was there to do and accomplished it at the last."
"We all have doubts and fears, Ronald. It's part of being human. Each of us has them and has to deal with them. You just can't be consumed by them. To hesitate is not necessarily a bad thing, but too much of it can immobilize a person into not dealing with something at all", he concluded, as Ron closed his eyes to think on what he just heard.
"Now, some of your hesitation has kept Kim from rushing headlong into things before taking a very good look at what was before her. On many occasions your slowing her down has saved her from harm or worse. On the other hand, Kim's striving to do the best has impacted you in some ways too, hasn't it?", he went on as Ron knowingly nodded.
Continuing, "Some of the reasons you do what you do is to strive to be as good a friend, partner, boyfriend, and soon, as good a husband and father as you can be to her and your family. Am I right?", as once again Ron nodded looking at him again.
After a short time, the 'light being' spoke from his location at the gates. "Ronald, if you are worried about being corrupted like Montgomery Fiske, just remember that you are much different than the English Lord. Where his heart was already twisted and obsessed with the power that he craved from the mystical art for conquest, yours is still quite pure, and always will be. Your reluctance to accept the power based on your reasons are more than enough reassurance that you will not travel down that dark path as he did."
"Are you really sure about that?", asked the reluctant Monkey Master. At this all around the table began to gently chuckle, the kind heard among friends.
"Ronald, you do realize where you are and who some those around you are, as well as who I may be?", he was asked.
"Oh! Yeah, sorry. Just being random again. But I'm still worried about messing up or misusing the power", replied Ron as the proverbial light bulb went off overhead.
"No big. I mean, if you can't take my word on this, whose can you take?", came back the lighthearted reply, borrowing a familiar catch-phrase. "Now as to those last two worries, lets just say that for the first item, trust your heart, listen to your love, and all will be fine. As for the second worry, if you fully accept the mystical power right now with that heart of yours as it is you won't have that problem."
"Really? How is that possible?", questioned the now interested blonde.
"The mystical power in that form of Kung-fu is in itself a part of nature. Like all things in nature, it isn't good or bad, it just is. What is done with it is where the good or bad comes into the picture. Think of it as if it's a tool or weapon: it is only as good or as bad as whose hands it is in or whose heart is involved in using it. I've got it on good authority that there are no reasons for you to fear either of those things happening to you. That's not to say that you won't make mistakes, or not have dark days, that everything will be peaches and cream. You are human and not perfect. Just do your best as Kim will while each of you guide the other along the way. But remember to give counsel to the other when they need it most; and have the other's back in all things you do. Each of you will have instances when one will help keep the other from going too far while in the moment. This will help keep misuse of the power from happening."
"You are a human being and have a journey to make to your final destination. Your trials and tribulations are yours to encounter and overcome, and succeeding or the alternative, 'messing up', is a part of life. And you have a very special friend who will walk beside you every step of the way to help you with this, as you will help her with her trials and doubts. Together both of you will deal with what comes your way, just pay attention to what you are doing and follow your hearts."
"Now as for your second concern. Your evil other self is not something that was naturally in you. At first it was an essence of someone else's concentrated evil, and then later it was the unnatural assembly of random bits from the rare, darker corners of your mind. The means of calling that out of you can't affect you if your pure heart is imbued in what it already possesses and is fused with that power. It will become an impenetrable shield to that version of yourself when it is fully embraced, whether you know it or not. You can be worried about a few things regarding that power, but corruption of the heart or Zorpox using them, much less coming back, won't be one of them. Especially if you fuse with the power tonight, right now."
"Really? How?", asked the confused young man.
"Well, when you offered your life for Kim's at the moment you did, right at midnight, Christmas morning, you made available that possibility for yourself. You, without regard to your own life, gave the ultimate gift to someone you love more than life itself right at the moment one of the holiest days on much of the Earth began. Consider it a 'Divine Intervention Gift' of sorts in return for what you, without hesitation, gave to her in that instant. If you do this while you are here now, your fears of Zorpox taking control of the power won't be possible, ever, and you will be taking large steps to enhance your abilities with that power."
After thinking on this for a bit, Ron said, "Ok, I'll do it. So what do I do now?"
"You and Tai Shing must stand together and embrace, as brothers-in-arms or loved ones would in a hug. Just open your heart and accept what he has to offer you, and the infusion of the mystical art into you will be complete. Oh, and close your eyes, it will be quite bright for a time", Toshimiru instructed Ron.
Moving off to the side of the bench, Ron and the blue monkey stood facing each other as the others stood in a loose circle around them. At first Ron looked a little timidly at the monkey, but eventually opened his arms to accept and hug the manifestation of the mystical power he had dodged completely for so long. Tai Shing, as a monkey would, leapt up into Ron's arms and they embraced in a gentle hug. As they did so, a soft blue glow started to form around them, brightening until it became a tremendously bright blue-white, edged in gold, supernova of light. All present looked on without shading their eyes. Then the light started to dim back into a soft blue glow, with only Ron standing alone, his arms hugging himself, a gentle smile on his face, swaying back and forth as if cradling a baby in his arms.
After a moment, Ron opened his eyes and looked around. His stance, erect, was that of someone comfortable within his body, loose yet alert. Grace, poise and self-assurance seemed to radiate from him as he stood there. His face was that of calm confidence with a serene smile on his face. His eyes glowed a light blue for a bit until they faded back to chocolate brown, a sparkle now present in them he didn't have until that instant.
Turning to Toshimiru, Ron bowed low to him as the Samurai, likewise bowed deeply back to Ron. He then turned to the men, women and light being and stood with his arms at his side, palms facing them and bowed to them as well.
"Wow! Now that was something. I've never felt anything like that, short of …well, you know.. Kim and I…", Ron trails off as he blushes quite heavily. Shaking his head to clear it, he continues.
"Yes, Ronald, it does feel somewhat like that when it is fully accepted", replied Toshimiru as Ron looked at him in surprise. "Hey, I may have been dead for some time and in Heaven, but I still remember what that felt like! Now do you feel the essence of Tai Shing Pek Kwar flowing freely through you? Are you comfortable with what you have fully absorbed?"
"Yes I do feel it flowing freely, and I am very comfortable with it all. Now that I finally feel what it is, I am somewhat ashamed that I have denied myself from receiving this gift because of my fears and doubts. It is so much a part of me and I can now do much more with Kim when I get back. It just excites me to think of how much better I can contribute to what we do and how much better I'll be watching her back", replied the surprisingly relieved, newest Monkey Master.
"Ronald, that is a big part of why you would never misuse this power. The other part comes from who you are and who you have in your life, especially who you love and loves you. Keep that in your heart and there will be balance in all things you take on in your life. But, remember, by no means does this suggest that you are a 'religious soldier' of any kind. You are to continue with your life as it is, doing what you and Kim believe is right, but you will be backed up by some amazing power at your disposal. We'll take care of what is ours to oversee", offered the light being.
"Now it is almost time for you to return and have KP's back. Now you will be and do so much more with this power backing you up. If you have any doubts or fears from here on out, don't hesitate to share them with your soulmate for all eternity. Likewise, let her know that you are always open to discuss hers as well. Heed each other's counsel and continue to do the works you do as Team Possible, and as husband and wife, father and mother, friend and family alike", continued the being of light.
"How will I be able to explain all of this to her when I get back? I'm not even sure of all that took place myself, even after accepting the mystical power, I'm still at a loss for words. And what about Rufus? He has some of the power too. Will there be anything to transfer to him as well? ", said the anxious young man.
"Don't worry about that. When the time comes, you'll know what to do, and all you have done and seen here with myself, Toshimiru, the deities and those who gave their lives to the good works in your world will be known to Kim. As for Rufus, he's a very extraordinary creature. Though he has mastered much of the power, you will know how to enhance it within him when you return."
"Yeah, about passing on knowledge and other parts of this. Will any of this that I fully accepted be passed along to Kim and our children, or beyond? I'm kind of curious about that, you know?"
"Yes, on all counts, there Ronald. Some of what you have embraced will be passed to Kim on your wedding night. Your children will receive this as well. It will grow within her as each day passes and you will both stand together, stronger than ever to perform the works you do as Team Possible. As for your children, you and she will be their guide as they grow up, the power growing within them in time. So be prepared for them and when that comes to pass", finished the light being.
"Ok, thanks."
"Oh, by the way, just a heads up for you: You and Kim will find out why it was so hard to get babysitters in the Possible home when she was a toddler. The MMP will just make it so much more interesting", teased the brown haired man in the rope-belted garment, as he smiled mischievously.
"Oh, boy. Can't wait for that…", trailed off the suddenly overwhelmed father-to-be, thinking of how rambunctious Kim was from the moment he met her and how much more she may have been before Pre-K. "Twins? Aw man!", he lamented as all around him gently laughed at his future predicament.
"Now, how do I get back to Kim and help save her? "
"Here's what will happen. You stand there, then all but myself assembled here will surround you in a group hug, as tight as we can make it. Close your eyes, think of who you love, count to five, open your eyes, react to what you see before you and you'll be ready to take the next steps in your lives. Oh, and one more thing. Before we start your return, take the scabbard from Toshimiru and strap it across your back Then accept the sword from him, clasping both hands around the grip, blade up, holding it in front of you at eye level. It is the Lotus Blade and it was sent here temporarily until you accepted your powers. It is yours to wield until it is passed on to the next Monkey Master", informed the being of light
"I knew that sword was the Lotus Blade. I was surprised to see it here and it not be in Yamanouchi."
"Yes, that's right. He was holding it until you accepted it. Now ready? Here comes the hug, close your eyes, think of who you love, count to five, and get ready for what you see when you open them. You are going to be sent back to just after you were brought here to us, so be ready for anything. That's all we are going to tell you. Ok?"
"Ok, and thank you all so much. I really appreciate it."
"Not at all, Ronald. Now are you ready?", to this Ron nodded in the affirmative.
"Alright, everyone close in and hug tightly. Now when you see Dementor again, mention to him that Hermann and his friends are waiting for him in their very warm bunker if he continues his life as it is right now. He'll get the message."
"Who is Hermann?", queried a very puzzled Ron.
"Don't worry, he's an old friend of his family", was the reply. "Now lets start your return to save your family's lives."
As all closed in on Ron, there began a glow of a bright blue-white light from within the circle, centered on Ron. Quickly it increased to a blinding white radiance not seen on Earth. After those five seconds, the bright light ceased, Ron was no longer standing at the Gates of Eternal Life. Now, armed with newly fused Mystical Monkey Power, the Lotus Blade and the love he has in his heart for her, he was on his way back to help protect Kim from the sitch she was currently in. Heaven help Dementor if KP and their children have been harmed.
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To be concluded for Christmas Eve, I hope…
