Disclaimer: Disney Corp. owns Kim Possible, not me. Any new characters are mine.
The Lorwardian attack on Earth was over. Having been soundly defeated by the combined might of Ron Stoppable's Mystical Monkey Power and Dr. Drakken's new mutagenic abilities, the planet was busy picking up the pieces, both literally and figuratively.
The broken marquee over Middleton High had been repaired, and now read: Down But Not Out, Except For The Summer.
On the other side of town, Kim Possible looked at the gaping hole in the ground where her home had once stood. It had been wrecked in the first assault wave of the Lorwardian war machines, just as she and her family had left to attend her high school graduation. She began to tear up once again as her father gently put his arm around his daughter.
"I know it's just a house, Dad, but it was our house. Now it's just ... a memory. And all my Cuddle Buddies ..."
Dr. James Possible could offer only a wan smile. "Yes, Kimmie-Cub, but we still have each other. Homes can be rebuilt, new things bought, but nothing could replace you, your mom or your brothers. Although I can imagine you might entertain somewhat different feelings regarding Jim and Tim."
Kim giggled. "No, Dad, the Tweebs can be a pain, but they're still my brothers. And I am thankful that we're all still alive, and that Wade had a backup of all the data from my computer." She exhaled in relief at that thought, but quickly frowned. Including my diary, which I warned him about not peeking into ...
Dr. Possible was actually pleased with how quickly the reconstruction of their home was proceeding. If there was anything good about the Lorwardian invasion, it was that it had been during early summer. Rebuilding would be greatly eased by the longer days and good weather. And thankfully, worldwide casualties had been amazingly light as well. The Lorwardians had been interested more in world conquest than simply in wanton destruction, and their initial shock and awe tactics had been concentrated primarily on the world's communications and power systems. And unfortunately, out of revenge for Kim's prior interference, Middleton.
Although there had been many injuries worldwide, the death toll wasn't nearly as high as it could have been. Still, Dr. Anne Possible's services at the hospital had been in considerable demand. As head of neurosurgery, she had been called in for more than the usual number of head trauma injuries. Thankfully, Ron's parents had been more than happy to watch Jim and Tim in the meantime, while Dr. Possible oversaw the repair of the Middleton Research Center. Dr. Possible had also forbidden the twins from doing any further laser experiments in the Stoppable's basement for at least the time being. Mr. Barkin had been particularly upset at the Tweebs accidental destruction of not one, but two of his cars.
Dr. Possible continued to muse over the events of the past week. The alien attack, although incredibly brutal, had lasted less than a day before being soundly defeated. And by whom? By his daughter's goofy teenaged sidekick and boyfriend, and his own one-time friend, a college dropout turned mad scientist. All of the world's technology and its greatest armies had been helpless before the alien attempt to subjugate Earth. And two apparent losers so far as the rest of the world was concerned had defeated them in moments, single-handedly. He shook his head in amazement at the irony of the entire sitch.
"Well, I guess you can't judge a book by its cover."
Kim looked up at her father. "What was that, Dad?"
"Oh, just thinking out loud, Kim. It just struck me that when the chips were down, Ronald single-handedly defeated the Lorwardians, and Dr. Drakken destroyed their war machines. They saved the planet. And most importantly to me, Ronald saved your life."
Kim just smiled as she took a deep breath. "Yeah, he did. When I was knocked out, and everything depended on him, he came through for me." She thought to herself, Yes, for me, self-assured, headstrong, I-can-do-anything Kim Possible. "Dad, I know he's always had my back, but this was so above and beyond . . ." A tear began to roll down Kim's cheek.
"Kimmie, what is it?" Dr. Possible asked.
"Dad, I love him so much, and I guess, well, I feel a little guilty for giving him such a hard time for so long. I know he's been such a goof-off before, and self-confidence has never really been his strong suit. But I've always known I could count on him. My feelings for him just seem so much ... deeper now." Kim suddenly remembered what she had told her mother several years ago. I know what's best for Ron, even if he doesn't. She frowned as she looked off into the distance, where the sun was rapidly setting beyond the horizon.
Dr. Possible looked thoughtful for a moment as he considered the implications of what his daughter was saying. "Kim, it's natural to have suddenly stronger feelings under the circumstances. Your boyfriend saved your life and saved the world, which had been your job up to now. You've both graduated from, well, what's left of Middleton High, and you'll both be eighteen soon and off to, well, whatever colleges may still be standing."
He then looked into his daughter's beautiful green eyes, eyes that reminded him so much of her mother's. He sighed. "Kim, I really believe that you and Ronald belong together, long term. I didn't always feel that way, though. There were times that I felt like you were like earth and he was like water ... which just spells mud. But I've sensed a new level of maturity in him now that I've never seen before. Just be careful not to get carried away by the emotional rush of all the recent events, and do something hasty. Your mother and I dated several years before becoming engaged, so be patient. The time's not right yet. But if and when the time is right, you'll know for certain. And at that time you and Ronald will have my blessing."
The shock on Kim's face couldn't have been more if she had just been hit full force by one of Shego's plasma blasts. Because deep down, she had to admit that thought had crossed her mind. Ron had been her best friend since pre-K, her boyfriend for the past year, and now the rescuer of both her and the world. The next big step in their relationship didn't seem quite as big or as daunting now, compared to the events of the past week. But she silently agreed with her father. There was still plenty of time for that. Quickly recovering, she smiled as she looked up into her father's eyes. "Don't worry, Dad. Anything may be possible for a Possible, but I promise that you and Mom will be the first to know if Ron and I decide to ... take that particular step."
Her wrist Kimmunicator then beeped. Never before had she been so thankful for a distraction. "What up, Wade?"
Wade Load, boy genius and keeper of Kim's website, looked concerned. "Uh, Kim, is your dad there with you? I've got some important news for you both."
Kim frowned. "Yeah, Wade, he's right here. What's the sitch?"
"The wreckage of the Lorwardian spacecraft has been recovered, and it's being taken to the Middleton Space Center for analysis. But Warmonga's and Warhok's bodies haven't been found yet. There's no trace of them at all. I can't rule out that they were totally vaporized in the explosion when Ron threw them at their ship, but there should be at least some remains."
Kim's face went a shade paler. "You mean they might have survived?"
"Doubtful, but I can't completely rule that out, Kim. There's so little we know about the Lorwardians. Although a blow like that would have killed a human, it might have resulted in only major injury for beings like them. Global Justice isn't taking any chances though. They'll continue searching until they find them ... or not." A few seconds of silence passed by as the implications of that sunk in.
Wade then began to smile again. "But the good news is that that although the hull is pretty much toast, some of the spacecraft's systems are relatively undamaged, including its propulsion unit."
Dr. Possible looked as if he might start to drool.
"And both NASA and the government agree that you're the best man for the job of analyzing it, Dr. P, so it looks like it's all yours." He smiled as he continued. "As long as you keep Jim and Tim away from it, that is."
Dr. Possible beamed, then began to chuckle. "Well, I'll see what I can do about Jim and Tim."
Wade looked slightly uncomfortable. "Uh, Dr. P., they're not kidding. They specifically stated that Jim and Tim are under no circumstances allowed anywhere near it. Looks like their reputation has preceded them."
Kim just snorted, then burst out laughing. "Oh, just wait till Mom hears about this!"
Just then, a bubble horn was heard, and Ron Stoppable drove up on his scooter. It had been wrecked after he had accidentally crashed into one of the Lorwardian assault pods, but Jim and Tim had worked their usual mechanical miracles in quickly repairing it.
"Ron!" Kim rushed up to her boyfriend and rescuer and gave him a long, tight hug.
"Whoa, Kim! I just saw you earlier today. What gives?"
"I'll explain, uh, later. How goes the repair work at Bueno Nacho?"
Ron frowned and sighed. "Bad news, KP. Bueno Nacho has been wrecked so many times over the past few years that they've decided ... well, take a look." Ron handed her a current copy of the Middleton Daily Mail. The headlines read, "Local Boy Makes Good, Saves World."
Kim cocked an eyebrow.
Ron quickly redirected her."No, not on the front page. Look, here on page 2."
Kim's jaw dropped open as she began to read the article aloud. "Bueno Nacho stated today that after the recent total destruction of Middleton's Bueno Nacho #582, there are no current plans to rebuild. A spokesman for the chain stated that the decision was influenced by the rising cost of property/casualty insurance due to continued claims of partial or total destruction over the past four years. She further stated that this particular location seems to attract more than its share of dragons, mutant teens, super villains and recently, an alien invasion, and that the income generated by this location just can't keep up with the costs of continual rebuilding."
Kim could tell how devastated Ron was. "Oh, Ron. I'm so sorry!"
Rufus popped out Ron's pants pocket to plaintively cry, "Oh no, no more cheeesse ..."
Kim then spotted an ad on the same page. "Hey! Club Banana's having a fire sale! Up to 75% off!"
Ron's eyes bulged as he threw up his hands. "Kim, how can you possibly be thinking of clothes at a time like this? We should all be going into mourning! All the wonderful memories, the good times ... good times ..." Ron began to choke up. "A moment of silence for our dearly departed friend ..." He took off his cap and put it over his heart, while Rufus saluted with one tiny paw.
Kim was about to offer a word of condolence when Ron snidely continued, "And ironically, Cow-'n-Chow escaped without a single scratch."
Taken off guard by Ron's emotional about-face, Kim fished for something to say. "Yeah, irony can be so ... ironic."
"So, KP, I was going to ask you if you wanted me to stop by Bueno Nacho for some snackage, but since the Lorwardians kinda nixed that idea when they destroyed it, it looks like Cow-'n-Chow again tonight."
Kim's tummy began to rumble. "Please and thank you, Ron. I'll have my usual."
"I'll pick us up some grub and meet you back at my place." Ron let out a quick sigh of frustration as he shook his head. "Man, trying to take over the world is one thing, but destroying Bueno Nacho? That's just pure evil! Uh, speaking of which, we haven't heard much from Drakken or Shego since the U.N. medal ceremony."
Kim nodded in agreement. "No, they've been pretty quiet ever since Global Justice convinced the authorities to grant them a blanket pardon for all past offenses, provided that they promise to go straight and give up any further attempts at world conquest."
"Yeah, but do you really think they can? They've both been criminals for such a long time. You really think it's possible that Drakken can turn over a new leaf?"
Kim grimaced, then burst out laughing.
"What?" Ron queried.
Kim continued to smile. "What you just said. Drakken, now a mutant marigold, turning over a new leaf?"
Ron suddenly realized what a terrible pun he'd just made. Rufus popped out of his pants pocket and gibbered, "New leaf! Oh, brother!"
Ron simply put his head in his hand and sighed, "Oh, man ..." He began to grin. "Well, at least the world can count on me in the meantime. That is, if all those reporters can leave me alone." He began to swagger back to his scooter.
"Um, what was that, Ron?" Kim began to feel a familiar sense of apprehension.
"Yeah, since I creamed Warhok and Warmonga, the press hasn't given me a moment's rest." His smile now almost looked like a smirk. "Seems like they can't get enough of my essential Ronness, ah booyah!"
Kim began to frown as she realized where this was headed. Oh, no. Not again . . . "How about you amp down on the ego a bit and we'll discuss this over dinner, Monkey Boy?" She folded her arms for emphasis.
Ron looked a bit crestfallen. "Uh, sorry KP. Didn't mean to come across quite like that." He got on his scooter with a little less of the pride he had just displayed. "I'll be back just as soon as I can, KP."
As he drove off, Kim couldn't shake the feeling of deja vu. Ron's track record dealing with sudden overwhelming success had never been too good. Hopefully she was wrong this time, but as he drove over the crest of the hill, nagging doubts hung over her like the rapidly approaching twilight.
Well, will shades of Ron's past come back to haunt him? And what really was the fate of Warmonga and Warhok? Update soon.