I do not own Kim Possible.

An Old Enemy Returns

"Global Justice can't do anything? That's messed up!"

Kim agreed completely with Ron's sentiments. The two teens were in their usual hangout, sipping hot chocolate and mulling over their current sitch. Wade was trying as hard as he could to find a trace of the missing villains, but he kept coming up empty.

"I want to help them, I do, but I have a feeling if I start getting too deep in this the High Council will cut me from this mission like that." Kim snapped her fingers to emphasize her point. "And what's with these guys anyway? I've never heard of the High Council until Shego brought them up."

"Well, I guess they're the big-dogs that run the whole she-bang," Ron said thoughtfully. "I mean there can't just be one Global Justice division. There has to be tons scattered across the globe. Maybe the High Council dudes oversee them all."

"I don't like their decision-making skills," Kim muttered, stabbing her salad. "How can they just leave people to suffer? Even if they are bad guys?"

Ron shrugged. "I guess they're serious about what their organization stands for-peace. With most of the A-class baddies gone, their goal becomes more achievable."

"Not cool!" Rufus squeaked from Ron's pocket. The blonde smiled and passed him a piece of his doughnut.

"I hear ya, little buddy. But we're floundering in dark waters. We're up against the tippity-top dogs who don't want the villains rescued and we got our butts kicked by this lady wearing a freaky-and-epic suit. We don't even know where the villains are!"

"It has to be the last place we would ever think to look!" Kim said in frustration, running her hands through her red hair. "If Wade's calculations are accurate, at least half a dozen of my enemies (if not more) are missing and possibly have been for weeks!"

And no one noticed until now...

Kim couldn't recall another moment in her life when she had felt so lost and helpless. And she had a terrible feeling that if (please, if and not when) the Purger managed to kidnap all of her baddies...then her enemies were doomed.

Her gut lurched at the very thought and she slammed her fist down on the table. Ron jumped in surprise and stared at his girlfriend. "We're going to rescue them," Kim said determinedly. "I promised Senior I'd get Junior back and now I'm promising to get them all back."

"Where do we start?" Ron asked.

Kim pursed her lips in thought. "First of all, we're gonna need backup. I'm sure Drakken and Shego have-"

Beep-beep-beep.

The redhead glanced at her Kimmunicator and frowned at the unknown number. She answered it. "Hello?"

"Kimmie, its Shego."

"Shego? Did you get a new phone or something? Your number didn't-"

"I'm calling from a payphone near Bueno Nacho. I don't want the GJ big-wigs to eavesdrop."

"Is this about the missing villains?"

A moment of surprised silence passed before Shego found her voice again. "Yeah, it is. How'd you know our former colleagues were missing?"

"I got a call that Junior might have been in trouble and I checked it out. He is in trouble, and his father."

"And everyone else."

"How'd you find out?"

"Not from GJ, I can tell you that. Dr. D's been trying to get a hold of Dementor for a while and he can't contact the man anywhere. He tried going through other villains to see if they knew where he was only to discover that every one of our friends not in jail are missing. And Global Justice-"

"Didn't tell you because they don't want this sitch to be solved," Kim finished. "But I'm on it Shego. I'll find them, I promise."

"You're a good one, Princess. A lot better than the jerks at GJ."

"I'm just doing what I do. When we find out where the villains are, can we count on you for backup?"

"You don't even have to ask."

"Thanks, Shego. I'll keep you posted. And be careful. You may be reformed, but I don't know if the Purger knows that."

"Please. I can take her," Shego scoffed. "The Purger, huh? If she tries to nab us she's gonna get a rude awakening. Later, Princess."

Kim hung up and turned back to face Ron. "Any ideas for our next phase?"

"Well..." Ron said slowly. "I got a brain blast when you were talking to Shego. What if...I went to Japan to visit Sensei? He could help me un-stopper my monkey mojo and maybe know of a way to help Monkey Fist. I'm sure he would back us up. After all, if I freed him he'd owe me a favour."

"Alright," Kim agreed. "That's something. I think I'm going to do some research on that suit. I don't think it's from our planet."

Ron wrinkled his nose. "You know, I've had enough extraterrestrial experience to last me my whole life."

"I have a feeling we'll be exposed to a little more. What normal Earth suit can shoot tentacles from it?"

"Well, if Wade tricked out your battle-suit any more-"

Kim rolled her eyes. "Tentacles that aren't mechanical and move from the suit as if it were made of skin."

"Yeah, that sounds very alien-ish," Ron agreed. He removed his cellphone from his pocket and hit the second speed-dial button. "Yo, Wade!"

"What's up, Ron?"

"Can you hit me up with a ride to Japan?"

"No problem. Are you needed back at Yamanouchi?"

"Eh...not really. I'm popping in for a visit."

"I can call Nakasumi. I'm sure he won't mind giving you a ride. You want to be dropped off just before the school, right?"

"Yeah. Gotta keep the school secret, ya know?" Getting dropped off 'just before the school' meant that Ron would have a long, tiring walk ahead of him. "If it's do-able, I'd like to leave this afternoon."

"What about your classes?"

"Not in the studying mood," Ron said dismissively. "Give me a holler when my main toy-making man gets back to you."

"Will do," Wade promised and hung up. Ron shoved his phone back in his pocket.

"We're going to see our favourite ninja girl, little buddy!" Ron told Rufus.

The naked mole rat clapped happily. "Yay!"

Kim smiled. "I wish you guys luck. I guess if you're skipping classes then I can ditch mine. We're not exactly having a good college start, are we?"

"No, but I think saving the baddies is more important than studying for a test," Ron said. He got up and stretched. "I'm off, KP. I got some packing to do."

"Bye, Ron. Good luck." They shared a tender kiss before Ron departed. Kim leaned her elbows against the plastic tabletop and thought.

If I want to find out more about that alien material, then maybe Dad will know where I can start investigating. After all, if an entire suit appeared, some evidence had to have been left behind somewhere.

...

Wade had managed to come through with a ride for Ron and the boy found himself trekking through the dense jungle at dawn. Ron tiredly stumbled upon the long wooden bridge leading to the school and he sighed with relief.

"Oh good, we here!" Rufus cheered.

Ron shot a glare at his friend. "Um, ex-squeeze me? I believe I was the one doing all the walking! And I'm carrying Monkey Fist!"

"Nice work," Rufus praised, patting his hand. Ron rolled his eyes, hoisted the stone villain over his shoulder and walked along the bridge. He peered cautiously into the training grounds and spotted the students doing their morning exercises-Yori was among them.

"Yori! How's my favourite ninja girl?"

Startled, the students stumbled in their training upon hearing the strange voice. They immediately got into defense positions but Yori stopped them, rushing to the front of the crowd. "Cease your actions! It is Stoppable-san!"

The students relaxed. Ron grinned sheepishly, placed Monkey Fist against the stone wall that made up the entrance (best to keep him out of sight for now) and ventured onto the training grounds, meeting Yori with a hug. "Sorry, I would have called first but you guys don't exactly have your digits in a phone book."

Yori giggled. "Your American-style jokes never fail to amuse, Stoppable-san. To what do we owe the honour of your visit?"

"I was here to speak to Sensei, actually. If he's got a few mo's to spare that'd be badical."

"He is meditating in the courtyard." Yori pointed at the arced entryway that led to a stone outside area.

"That's cool, I can wait." Ron rocked back on his heels. "How've you been, Yori?"

"So long as I am in tune with my soul, I am always well," Yori answered.

"Does that help with your whole ninja training?" Ron asked. "Being connected to your soul?"

"Yes."

"So...do you think if I connected to my soul, I'd be more successful in using my Mystical Monkey powers whenever I needed them?"

Yori smiled knowingly. "Is this why you have come to consult Sensei?"

"Part of the reason, yeah." Ron grinned sheepishly. "My destiny may be to be the Ultimate Monkey Master, but it'd be rocking if there was a guidebook to go along with the title."

"There are some things in life that must be achieved by strength and spirit alone."

Ron whirled around and grinned at Sensei, who walked calmly towards them. The students immediately paused in their training and dipped into a bow. Ron hastily followed. "How may we assist you, Stoppable-san?"

"I'm having trouble with my monkey powers," Ron admitted, straightening up. "I know the power I'm capable of but I don't know how to harness it. It just comes and goes."

"Mystical Monkey power comes from the very soul. You must be in tune with your soul first. After you achieve that you will have control in your powers and how you use them," Sensei informed wisely.

"I knew you were gonna say something along those lines." Ron slapped his forehead. "I don't even know how to go about something as deep as that! How'd you do it Yori?"

"I realized what I was destined to do and accepted it," Yori said simply. "The soul guides you through life. Once you accept what you are meant to do you and your soul work in harmony."

"Makes sense," Rufus chirped, popping out of Ron's pocket.

"Have you accepted your fate as the Ultimate Monkey Master?" Sensei asked knowingly.

Ron hesitated a moment. "No," he admitted. "I don't think I'm cut out for such a bon-diggity title."

"That there is what is stopping you. Believe in yourself, Stoppable-san," Yori encouraged. "We do."

"I appreciate that." Ron smiled softly. "I'll try to put more faith in myself. I have one more question..."

"What is it?"

"How would one go about contacting the original Yono?" Ron asked cautiously.

Everyone froze. They stared at Ron with wide eyes and the blonde swallowed. "Not that I want to use his power or anything like that," he said hastily. "I just wanna have a few words with him."

"For what purpose?" Yori asked incredulously.

Ron did not answer. He knew the others would not quite understand why he wanted to help Monkey Fist and he didn't know how to explain it. He locked eyes with Sensei and the wise master inclined his head. "You must enter the Spirit Realm, Stoppable-san. Doing so takes a great amount of energy and experience in training."

"I'll give it a shot," Ron said firmly. "What do I do?"

"Meditate. Clear your mind and body and allow your spirit to depart from your body. It may sound simple, but I assure you it is a grand task."

"This'll be an interesting experience," Ron mused. "Thanks, Sensei. We'll do lunch next time, promise! See ya'll later!"

He pulled Yori in for a quick hug before departing. Yori watched after him for a moment before hurrying to the gate. She stared in stunned disbelief as her American friend walked down the wooden bridge, the trapped Monkey Fist thrown over his shoulder. "He is not going to face Yono for Monkey Fist, is he?"

Sensei smiled. "He is. And through this journey he will finally find himself."

...

"Okay," Ron panted, collapsing on the ground. "I think this is a good spot."

"Yeah," Rufus agreed, climbing out of Ron's pocket and settling next to his friend.

The blonde set the stone Monkey Fist against a tree and crossed his legs. He kept his posture and he closed his eyes, taking a few deep breathes. Clear my mind, clear my body. Clear my mind, clear my body. Clear-

Caw!

Ron jolted. He glared at the bird that flew past, squawking madly. "Do you mind? Some people are trying to go to the Spirit Realm!" he snapped. He resumed the position, attempting to let his entire body relax. But it was difficult to do so when your nose was itching.

"What am I doing?" Ron moaned, rubbing his nose idly after a few minutes of trying to ignore it. "You heard Sensei. It takes an experienced ninja to travel to the spirit realm. I ain't no ninja!"

"Monkey Fist," Rufus pointed at the man. Ron stared at the statue for a long moment.

"I'm trying Monkey Man, I really am. I don't know if you can hear me or not. If you can, you're probably laughing at me right now. You think a buffoon like you can do something as complex as travel to the Spirit Realm?" Ron did a poor imitation of the British man. "No, I don't think that. But I'm trying..." He frowned and stared at the clear sky. "I'm trying because I never wanted anything like this to happen to you, despite the many times you've nearly killed me."

Sudden determination flared in his eyes. "And I'm Ron Stoppable-I dedicate my life to helping Kim save people. You need saving. And I'm gonna save you."

He closed his eyes once more and continued his calm breathing. His sincere desire to help Monkey Fist and the determination within him tickled his spirit. The blonde boy went limp and everything went black for the briefest of moments.

Then he was nearly blinded by a brilliant blast of light.

The Spirit Realm was translucent, bright blue and white and Ron could hear soft whispers of hundreds, no thousands, of spirits moving about. They were nothing but wisps of light, shimmering and glowing and everything felt peaceful.

Ron tried to speak out. He did not know how to communicate in the realm and he struggled to form the whispers he was hearing. "Y-Y-Y-ono?"

The stutter was soft and hesitant, evidence of an amateur spirit traveller. Ron gathered up his courage and tried again. "Yono?"

And he appeared, a bright red glimmer that formed in front of the boy's own spirit. "Who dares interrupt the Yono's rest?"

This was no whisper. It was loud and booming and menacing. The desire to return back to his body hit full-strength but Ron ignored it. He had made it and he was going to finish what he had come for. "I am the Ultimate Monkey Master. I have come with a request-if it's do-able."

"If you desire the power of the Yono, you are in the wrong place," Yono sneered. "I have held no power for hundreds of years."

"Does that mean you can't free the current Yono from his fate?"

A brief silence fell. "If he has chosen the path of the Yono, then his fate has been sealed," Yono spoke finally.

"But you're the original Yono! You may not have the destructive power, but don't you have any power at all in this place?" Ron asked desperately, hoping that this trip would not be for nothing.

"...sacrifices are often made to my spirit to free someone they know that has travelled the path of the Yono. When that happens the previous Yono resumes the position. What have you to offer me?"

Ron fumbled, thinking of anything he could offer the legendary spirit. His Mystical Monkey power came to mind first and the boy froze. It really was the only worthwhile thing he could offer as a sacrifice, but was he willing to ditch the mad-monkey moves for Monkey Fist's freedom?

Yes.

It surprised him at how clear the answer was. But then again he helped save people and Monkey Fist needed saving. He also told DNAmy if he knew how to save Monkey Fist he would. And in a strange, awkweird way, Ron missed fighting the British man and their battle of wits.

But most of all, the willingness of the sacrifice came from a memory from months before, when he had gone on an all-Bueno diet to prove Mr. Barkin wrong. The mission to steal Jack Hench's latest product had ended with Kim battling most of her enemies-and the fighting stopped when he had waddled into the room.

"You really should take better care of yourself."

The chiding came from Monkey Fist. It was not full of malice but sincerity, and Ron clearly remembered the man carefully lifting up his arm and jabbing at his then-pudgy stomach. There had been no biting insults and no crushing blows.

It was a memory that reminded Ron that his relationship with Monkey Fist (and other villains) was not as black and white as people believed it to be.

"I'll sacrifice my Mystical Monkey power for Monkey Fist-I mean, the Yono."

"You? The Ultimate Monkey Master? Sacrifice your very power? What is so special about this Yono?"

"Nothing, really. He's just a baddie I used to fight on a regular basis. I kinda miss it. And I save people-it's what I do. Monkey Fist needs saving."

The determination and power of Ron's decision was nothing like the Yono had ever seen before. Few people had offered sacrifices to save those they knew who had become the Yono. But the sacrifices were never so full of heart and willingness like this one.

"I see now why you are the Ultimate Monkey Master," Yono mused. "You have inspired me with your selfless sacrifice. It is not something I have ever seen before. For this act I will free your...baddie, as you say, and allow you to keep your power."

"Seriously? That's off the hook! Thanks!" Ron exclaimed.

"Indeed. But hear this-if this Monkey Fist attempts to unleash the Yono again, I will not free him without the exchange. Understood?"

"Understood!"

"Then let the Yono see light once more, and the previous Yono return to his position!"

Ron was surrounded by blinding white lights. The shock was great enough to send him crashing back to his body and the boy rocketed forwards with a strangled gasp. Ron looked wildly around the jungle and spotted Rufus watching him with concern. "Okay?" Rufus asked, relieved to see his friend had returned.

Ron could only nod.

A bright flash of blue light caught their attention and they turned. The stone encasing Monkey Fist was cracking, blue light shining through the shallow crevices. The rock crumbled into dust and one flash of blue light later and Monkey Fist toppled to the ground, gasping for breath and shielding his eyes from the harsh light.

He was back.