Disclaimer Kim Possible, and all other related characters and material is the property of Dave Shooley and Disney Entertainment. I do not own them, nor do I claim such false ownership, no copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 6: Past Reflection Part 1
By: Ansa
Winter was frigid, spring was mild and comfortable, but unfortunately for Ron, his first summer was going to be excruciating. June was just ending and the month of American flags and fireworks was approaching fast. At least, that's what it meant back home, here, all it meant for Ron was one more month of this hellish heat that seemed to engulf everything. He sweat constantly, and was running out of deodorant to fully sustain him. Poor Rufus had to give up going to classes with him, sticking to the room which was no less hot except for the shade.
The sun overhead beat down mercilessly at all times of the day, drying out the grass and trees, helping bugs thrive that would only add to the annoyance of the season. The other residence of Yamanouchi seemed to be feeling the heat but dealing with it in stride. But of course, they had lived hear all their lives and have dealt with it every year, Ron however, had not. Ron was miserable, and although he didn't know it, he wasn't the only Middleton resident feeling the heat.
"SHEGO!!! Where is that repair man? I can't complete my plan in these ungodly conditions!!" Apparently, even blue and green skinned folk sweat too, Drakken and Shego found themselves camped out next to the Air Conditioning, wearing tanktops, shorts, whatever they could get away with while still looking evil enough and stay relatively cool at the same time.
Their new lair sat precariously on top of a nearby mountain peak, high enough to fit their needs, but not high enough to cool them off any. Shego lay sprawled out on a number of moving boxes, bending and buckling most, but of course she didn't care.
"They said sometime between noon and four."
"AGH!!! Noon and four, I'm ready now! Just you wait, the moment I get busy on something is the moment the doorbell rings."
"So what's up with you anyways? I thought you said you wanted the heat or something?"
"I do Shego but I want to be cool while unfold my evil plans!"
"Which is what exactly?"
"With my new solar reflector I will absorb the heat and resulting solar energy to power a massive solar ray of doom!!!"
"So essentially a solar powered death ray?"
"We have to do our part to protect the environment too Shego, and clean and effective evil power is the first step."
"Hello!! You want to take over the world remember?"
"Yes but I don't want to rule a ruined planet do you Shego?"
"Oi…"
Beep Beep Beep Beep
Beep Beep Beep Beep
"Sorry Wade…what's up?" The Kimmunicator had been sounding off for some time now when Kim actually acknowledged it. She had been staring out the window of her ride, a cargo plain this time. Already they had crossed the ocean and were close to landing…somewhere close to Yamanouchi, or at least where Wade said it was. It was understandable that she would have a few things on her mind.
"I've finally figured out the exact coordinates of Drakken's new lair."
"What was it this time?"
"A call to some A/C repair company, how long before you land?"
"Not sure, what's are ETA Mr. Yoh?" Kim flashed the best smile she could fake at the moment, her mind still on other things when she leaned over to the short stocky man at the controls of the cockpit. Despite the day in age and the sophistication of the airplane in which they were flying Mr. Yoh still insisted on wearing aviator's goggles, obviously an odd fellow, but nice nonetheless.
"About 20 minutes Miss Possible, and by the way, I can't thank you enough for saving me from those cargo pirates."
"No big, there was only ten of them." A bit of an understatement, as always, with a hint of boasting tossed in. Then again, she had pulled off some amazing feats in her lifetime so she deserved to brag every now and then.
"I haven't found any atmouspheric disruptions yet and thanks to the repair man I'm sure you've got some time to get there and then some."
"Thanks Wade." Again Kim flashed a fake smile, one that any long time friend and companion could see right through, just as Wade would soon do.
"So…are you going to pick up Ron?"
"Wha?" The question rocked Kim out of her daze and brought her back into reality. The whole ride Ron was on her mind, and the question as to whether or not she should ask him to tag along was being weight with pros and cons for almost two hours now. Still, she didn't have an answer, even when confronted by Wade she had no idea what the right thing was to do.
"It's almost been a year now, I'd like to see him in action. Besides, I'm sure he'd be happy to see a familiar face for a change."
"Yeah…"
"Are you…ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine Wade; I mean…it's been a long time since we split up right? I'm over it by now. I've moved on." Another terrible lie, Wade didn't even have to say anything to call her on it all he had to do was look at her and she cracked.
"Ok, ok so…I still have feelings for him. I'm not so sure how easy this is going to be."
"It's ok Kim, I understand, but you have to come to terms with things sooner or later. It's not healthy, and this is the perfect chance." In the past few months Wade had been acting as a mediator between the two. His growing friendship with Ron gave him his perspective, and his pre-existing friendship gave him Kim's. He now felt like knew enough about the both of them to fix nearly any issue that could exist between the two. Right now, the best thing for the both of them was this meeting. It would help Ron get back that comfort level after finally moving on from their relationship. Kim needed the most help however; Wade knew this all too well.
The Christmas letter was her first attempt at gaining closure, but it seemed to only make things harder. Endless amounts of memories flooded back to her and closed off any chance of acceptance of the presence. She found so much joy and happiness in her past she was having a hard time letting it go. The following months only got worse, having received a response from the wayward Ron. Kim obsessed over it, keeping it close as if it was her only link to her past life…and Ron. Wade had coached her through most of it, and she was getting better, but he could see her tension starting to grow as the miles passed them by.
"Besides, he'd love to see you again."
"Really?"
"Why not?"
A small smile started to creep up her cheeks, only this one was for real. She wasn't feeling so flighty and anxious anymore. The thought of seeing Ron again was no longer so scary a thought. She didn't care anymore how much it might hurt her, all she wanted was to see his smile one more time.
"I'll do it."
"Please Yori, it's too hot now. Can we continue later, when it's cooler?" Ron leaned against his bamboo stick, sweating far more than any human being should and still retain fluid within his body. His staff bent under his weight but luckily wouldn't break since it was bamboo after all. His speech was getting better, if not still rigid and yet impersonalized with what he like to call "Ron-speak."
"Of course it will be your honor to continue now Ron-san. Later we have our language lessons."
"Ugh, that's right."
"Once we begin…you will not think of the heat." Opposite him a second bamboo staff rose in an attack position, attached to it was the gloved hand of his new sparring partner. As part of his new, slightly advanced, training Ron would be… "honing his skill each day until his mind and body have ripened." Of course the only part of Sensei's words Ron understood was that he would now have yet even more training every day where he would be "sparring" with someone who would be more of a ninja than he would ever be. Pain was the only possible outcome to this, and he wasn't exactly looking forward to this.
"What does that…AUGHHHH!!!!" Poor Ron had no chance to finish his inquiry, the opposing rod of Bamboo was now rushing towards him, aimed directly for his head.
Sparring had begun suddenly, and already Ron had had enough. He had no finesse, he had no style, and it felt like anything he did was out of nothing but pure luck. For the most part, Ron blocked, both with staff and arms, at least until his arms started to swell and sting quite badly. She hit hard, if she was holding back, it wasn't by much. Ron moved his feet, trying to find a decent foothold so he might hold his ground. Unfortunately all he seemed to be doing was backpedaling.He knew he had to fight back or else he wouldn't last much longer in his training, he knew this, and apparently, so did Yori. She eased a bit, and jumped back, giving about five feet between them as she lowered her weapon.
"Stoppable-san, you must focus." Her eyes were fixed into his, dead serious. The tone in her voice was gentle, yet forceful. It was also quite clear that her using his native language was no simple coincidence. She was trying to establish a strong connection with him, with hopes that she could help talk him through this. He needed to learn, she knew more than anyone that if he didn't learn now his future would be unsure and painful.
"I know…I don't know what's wrong."
"You are letting your emotions take control. You are not afraid of being hurt, you are afraid of hurting me."
"I'm sorry…I just don't-"
"Stoppable-san, you have to attack me."
"What? I can't."
"You must, do it now!" Yori held her staff in a defensive position in front of her chest, the tone of her voice was now loud and harsh. She had to get through to him, there was no easing back.
"But I-"
"NOW!"
Ron snapped, scared into moving forward and bringing his weapon crashing down over his head. He closed his eyes just before impact. She was right, everything she said was true. He was afraid of hurting her, he was afraid of hurting himself…but he was more afraid of failure.
CRACK
His body shook hard and stopped abruptly upon impact. He wasn't sure what had happened, but what he did know was that he hit something. Cautiously, Ron opened one eye and glanced ahead. What he saw was the crossing of two bamboo staffs, Yori's blocking his own and holding it in place. She was fine…as was he.
"Good. Tell me what you see."
"What?"
"What do you see now?"
Ron looked dead in front of him, and saw only the crossed staffs. He was confused at first, unsure as to what exactly he was supposed to see. Looking back into her eyes he could tell that he wasn't looking hard enough, so he let his eyes wander for a moment.
He saw the trees around him, heat waves from up the hill, countless bugs scampering through the grass, nothing out of the ordinary. What wasn't he getting? Once again he felt alienated, he felt…stupid. Ron hung his head in frustration, he was trying so hard and still it didn't seem like he was getting anywhere.
Wait…her feet…that's what he was supposed to see. Looking down he noticed a distinct difference between where her feet were…and where they were now.
"Do you see?"
"Yes…"
"What, do you see?"
"You moved…did I…do that?"
Yori nodded, standing upright and lowered her weapon allowing her demeanor to become more pleasant, much more like herself. Ron was still amazed, looking down at the small skid in the dirt left by her feet. He strike was so forceful it had driven her back…he had done that.
"All you need to do is focus, and relax. You have the skills to be great, but your heart is getting in the way."
"What do I do?"
"Attack me, and defend yourself. Keep your mind in the now, concentrate on attacking an enemy, not your friend."
He still wasn't sure he was ready; it was much easier to suggest such a thing than to actually do it. The person he was being told to attack was someone who had helped him out so much, had given him so much support and friendship. Then again…the fact that he had given him so much help and support gave him no reason not to trust her. He had to try…at least now he knew what he could do.
"Alright…let's go."
Ron raised his weapon, digging his feet into the ground and allowing her the first strike. Yori wasted no time and took every advantage of the opportunity, closing the gap between them quickly, striking hard and fast against his bamboo. Her attack was quite forceful, much harder than he anticipated and had he not kept his footing she would have easily knocked him down.
Ron gritted his teeth, pulling all his strength together and pushing back against her, the bamboo grinding. He could see her moving, not by much, but still moving back, his force driving her into a retreat before she broke their grapple. The opportunity for Ron to strike was now, and once his courage was drawn, he took it. Ron moved forward, again choosing an overhead strike which Yori saw through easily and dodged.
Dust and dirt kicked up beneath then and billowed into soft clouds as Ron dug his heel into the ground, pivoted and struck again. It was getting easier for him, and he was now able to call on his training. His side strike caught Yori by surprise, which pleased her. Ron was learning, slowly. She still was able to block his attack, but just the fact that he was able to do so was good enough for her.
The two continued to spar, sweat pouring off both of them not out of heat, but out of the effort they were putting out. Anyone within fifty meters could hear the constant clashing of bamboo, sharp and loud enough to echo against the mountains. They ceased to be friends at that moment, in fact, they ceased to be people. To the rest of the world they were two forces of nature clashing against one another. It was clear one was more dominant, more powerful than the other, yet it did now overpower the other. Much like wind blowing against a mountain, the mountain did not falter, nor did it push back. Nevertheless, the wind did not back down.
An outside observer would come across these two forces, and only then were they again seen as people, as friends. A red haired maiden stumbled onto the sight, watching till the very end. She was nervous, yet overcome with an unspeakable joy. As much as she wanted to run up and feel his arms around her one last time, she kept her ground, watching.
"Well done, Stoppable-san." Roaming eyes and ninja intuition spotted the visitor long before Kim was able to see through the woods in which she had entered through. Using one final block, Yori jumped backwards, lowering her staff and placing her hand upon her hip, pleased at Ron's performance.
"Th-thanks…" Panting, hunched over on one knee, Ron thanked every god from every religion he could remember that the spar was over. He would spend the next few moments desperately trying to fill his lungs back up with the air he lost, wanting nothing more than a glass of water as a reward. He had lost a lot of sweat during the fight, and now that it was over even more was coming now that the heat was back on his mind.
"You understand now, don't you?"
"I…th-think so."
"You have great potential, what you need now is focus and concentration."
"Ok."
"That will be all for today." No longer wishing to alienate their visitor Yori returned to speaking English, moving over to help Ron to his feet.
"Oh thank you so much."
"For now, I believe we wave some company."
All of a sudden Kim found herself on the spotlight, and here she thought she was well hidden. Now, she found Yori looking directly at her, with a warm, welcoming smile upon her lips. Resting on her shoulder, Ron summoned what strength he had left to follow her gaze. His weary eyes were not disappointed, the vision that was bestowed upon him was worth every aching muscle in his body.
"…Kim?"
Sorry to cut this one off like this but it seemed a good a time as any to stop the chapter. Originally this and the following parts to the miniseries of "Past Reflection" was supposed to be one whole chapter, but it seems that it's just too much to tell in one shot. Hope you are liking the introduction of Kim, don't get too attached to her, she doesn't live in Japan remember:P Alright then, on to the next chapter!