Chapter 8: A Good Team

The Green Ranger's back struck the ground with a thud. Her chest rose and fell rapidly under the thick green, white and gold body armor that seemed to just barely protect her from the unrelenting strikes from the demonic Kim Possible.

"Stop this; this is not what you are," The Green Ranger said, pulling herself to her feet. "You are a great hero and friend to the world, Possible-san. Stop this at once!"

"I was until you and the other Rangers showed up," Kim hissed, her fists growing a bright blue before blasting the Green Ranger in the chest, sending her tumbling backwards.

"This is no competition," Green Ranger said, her self-control starting to weaken. "You have allowed Shiva to twist your mind."

Kim answered by blasting the Ranger again. "You … leave me no choice …" Green Ranger sighed as she drew her Dragon Dagger and her faceplate slid open.

Kim smirked as the Green Ranger played the summoning song of the Dragonzord and turned to watch the massive silver and black Zord rise from the lake waters. "Sorry, big boy," Kim said, her eyes glowing red as she stared into the Dragonzord's eyes. "But this is a one on one. Go back to sleep." She ordered, and to the Ranger's shock, the Zord turned and sank back into the water.

"H-How did you do this?" The Ranger gawked, as Kim flashed an insane smile toward her.

"Simple little special ability: I can control any one Zord with my will. Ain't it spankin'?" Kim explained, looking at her dark red nails.

Green Ranger replied with a jumping kick toward her, which she easily caught and swung the armored Ranger like a bat into a tree. "Now, let's see what you're hiding under this." Kim growled, picking up the weakened Ranger by the helmet, and proceeded to slam the helmeted head face first into a large rock repeatedly.

First, the black visor cracked and splintered before shattering, then the thick helmet began to crack as well. Kim kicked her in the stomach again before knocking her on her back and sitting on her chest, pinning her to the ground. She reached down, gripped the broken, blood stained helmet and began to pull and break the protective headwear apart.

Kim dropped the broken pieces of the helmet, and her already angry face twisted even further upon recognizing the bruised and battered face of Yori. "You …" She breathed through clenched teeth.

"Poss...ible-san …" Yori whispered hoarsely. "Do not let … Shiva twist your mind … Ron-san … believes in you … do you … dishonor him by going against … your own standards?"

"Shut up … Shut up … SHUT UP!" Kim screamed as she punched the girl's unprotected face. "You … you've wanted to take him from me for years, haven't you?" Kim accused, her yellowish red eyes gleaming insanely. "You've wanted him since he came to your damned ninja school! You are the one who took him from me, aren't you? ADMIT IT!"

"You speak of him as an object … Ron-san belongs to no one but himself. Who he is and what he does with his life is no more my business than it is yours." Yori narrowed her weak eyes. "Perhaps … Ron-kun overestimated you."

"I'm going to enjoy watching you die …" Kim growled, her fingernails extending into claws.

Kim never saw what hit her 'til she tumbled across the grass to the small beach. "What … who …" She growled before blinking and shaking her head at the sight of the pink female ninja with a large, gold symbol of a crane on her chest. "A … pink … ninja?"

"I don't want to fight you," the Ninja said, taking a crane style fighting stance, "Give yourself up; we can help you."

Kim faltered for a moment as she stood up. She knew that voice. But … she couldn't place it. Like a forgotten memory that still held weak roots in the back of her mind. A part of her screamed for her to do as the ninja said, to give up; that she would comfort and help her. Unfortunately, there was a stronger controlling force at the front of her psyche.

Kim growled and jumped at the ninja, swinging and punching, but the ninja dodged every attack with practiced ease, like she had been doing this forever.

"Kim!" Another voice called out and both looked to see the Power Rangers at the fallen Green Ranger's side. "No, she's my responsibility!" The Red Ranger cried out as he dashed toward them.

"No, Ro-" The Pink Ninja tried to warn, but left an opening that Kim took. She crumpled to the ground from the impact of a hard shot to the face.

"Watch it!" the Red Ranger snapped, as Kim swung her leg in a roundhouse kick at his helmeted head.

"You're not bad," Kim smirked as the Red Ranger dodged and blocked all her attacks.

"'Cause I know you," the Ranger shot back, still only blocking and dodging, "And this isn't you!"

"Wrong again, Red," She said before finally connecting with a shot to his protected ribs and then jumping back as the other Rangers gathered around him. "See you soon." She said, blowing a kiss and disappearing in a flash.

"Damn it!" The Red Ranger fell to the ground and punched the soft dirt.

"We'll get her back, pal," the Blue Ranger said, placing a hand on Ron's shoulder.

"You can punch the ground later, Red Ranger," the pink ninja said, pulling back her hood to let her mid-neck length red hair tumble out. "Right now, we have to get Yori back to the Command Center," she said, checking over Yori's bruised facial features.


"So, the Green Ranger is a member of the main team, is she?" Shiva said, resting back on her throne. "And her identity is confirmed as Yori of Yamanuchi? That explains a lot, doesn't it, Kimberly?"

"Like what?" Kim tilted her head.

"Isn't it obvious now? The Rangers didn't just take away your place as the town's hero," Shiva smiled sadly at the girl standing before her. "But Yori, a Ranger, seduced Ron and took him away from you. It was probably a team plan," Shiva nodded. "The Rangers are cruel people, Kimberly. They wanted you out of the way, so they worked at stripping away everything you hold dear. As faithful as Ron was to you, my dear … he is still a male, and the lure of carnal pleasures is strong."

"That bitch …" Kim growled, her eyes and hands lighting up in flames.

"Yes, let out your anger," Shiva nodded, smiling. "Let your anger and hate fuel you; let it teach you how to drink, eat, and live. Make those who wronged you pay for what they've done." Shiva stood up and placed her hands on the girl's shoulders. "They have all wronged you, Kimberly. And the best way to get to them is to strike at their heart. There is a powerful weapon on display at the Upperton Museum: the Spear of Longinus. It can cut through their headquarters' defensive shields. Shego will go with you. Take the spear and then go to their base in the mountains. I know you can do this for me, Kimberly. Make them pay for hurting us …"


Ron leaned against the control panel of the Command Center, rubbing his face. "OK, that went well … any other bright ideas, guys?" Ron asked as Mrs. Dr. P. reentered the main Command Center.

"Yori's resting comfortably; her powers should help her make a full recovery after a good night's sleep." Mrs. Dr. P. said before coming to a stop to lean against her husband, who was with Ron and the others.

"I really screwed up big time," Ron said, glancing away from Kim's parents.

"You messed up, you know you did, and you're trying to fix it," Mr. Dr. P. said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up; keep trying to bring her home."

Before Ron could reply, the alarm sounded. "Rangers, Kimberly and Shego are at Upperton," Zordon spoke up.

"Let me go alone, Zordon," Ron spoke up. "Maybe I can talk to her. Shiva's made her hate the Rangers, but maybe I can talk her down."

"Very well, but be careful," Zordon instructed, "Kimberly has been infused with enough power to twist her consciousness beyond what you remember of her."

"Get them separated; once you get Kim alone, we'll keep Shego out of your hair," Josh said, nodding to his friend.

"Thanks, just buy me plenty of time, ok?" Ron said before all five teleported away.

"Bring my baby home, Ron …" Mrs. Dr. P. said before resting her head on her husband's chest.


Shego and Kim burst through the main entrance of the museum, the latter casually walking while the former was lashing out and beating up any security guards that got in their way. Kim let her have her way until Shego spotted a group of elementary school children hiding behind their teacher. "Oh, yeah, kids scream the best!" Shego gave a fangy grin before diving at the kids.

The kids and young teacher closed their eyes as Shego made her dive, but gasped when Shego yelped. By the time they opened their eyes, Kim was retracting her arm, and Shego was on the ground, gasping for breath. "We don't hurt innocent people," Kim growled before turning to the class. "You're ok; go ahead and get out of here." Kim smiled warmly to the kids.

"See?" A little girl pointed at her. "I told you guys Kim Possible's still a hero!"

Kim blushed slightly and nodded for them to go. Once they were gone, Kim saw the spear on display in the next room. "Watch my back; I'm going in." Kim said as she walked into the display room.

The superpowered teen hero shattered the glass case and reached for a spear when the last voice she expected to hear spoke up. "Hey, KP."

"R-Ron?" She turned to see her best friend stepping out of the shadows with a worried expression.

"How's it going?" Ron tried his best to do his old, goofy smile as he approached her. Her reaction was the last he expected. Lashing out at him for hurting her, yelling, screaming, slashing, that was to be expected.

"Oh, God, please, please don't hurt me!" She lurched back away from him, hugging herself and going out of her way to avoid looking at his face.

"Kim … I'd never hurt you …" Ron said, feeling like his heart was being crushed from the fear on her face.

"I … I used to think that," She said, stepping back with every step he took.

"I know I screwed up," Ron said, holding out a hand to her. "I jumped to conclusions when I should have talked to you. I was hurt and angry and I wanted … God, I don't even know what I wanted anymore … but I never meant to hurt you, Kim, I swear I didn't. You're my best friend. We're two of a kind, Kim; screw the food chain and popularity. We're split down the middle. Without you, I don't think I'm Ron anymore …"

"Shiva … Shiva will make it where we can be together again," Kim said, smiling hopefully as she finally looked at his face. "It'll be perfect, Ron, you'll see! We'll be happy, and I'll never hurt you, and you'll never hurt me, and we'll be happy forever."

"Kim, you don't need Shiva to be happy," Ron said, opening his arms to her. "We can do it. Remember what your dad always said: Anything is possible for a Possible? We can fix this on our own, me and you, like it's always been. We don't need Shiva. YOU don't need Shiva …"

Kim hugged herself and looked back and forth as if she was unsure what to do. "But Shiva said …"

"Shiva's been in your life for a few weeks, maybe a month," Ron said, stepping closer to her, and this time, she didn't move away. "We've been together all our lives, Kim. Since we were four years old. I know I hurt you, but I won't lead you a way that will hurt you intentionally. And I'm telling you Shiva is a couple billion miles of bad road. Come back with me, Kim … please …" he said, reaching out with his hand.

Kim stared at Ron's hand for several moments before slowly her trembling hand reached out toward his.

"That's it, Kim, come back to me …" Ron whispered.

"Ron … I … I don't know … I'm really … confused …" She said as her fingertips brushed Ron's.

Just as their hands touched, "GET AWAY FROM HIM, YOU MONSTER!"

Kim and Ron turned to see two red and black clad Rangers pointing at Kim. "Silver Guardians, freeze or be destroyed!"

"You … you tricked me …" Kim said, turning to look at Ron with a look of pure betrayal.

Ocean's apart day after day
And I slowly go insane

Before Kim could respond, she was being forcefully kissed by Ron and then shoved behind him. "I won't let you harm a hair on her head!" Ron growled, standing between Kim and the Time Force Rangers.

"Ron?" Kim whimpered softly.

I hear your voice on the line
But it doesn't stop the pain

"Kim … just …" He sighed, closing his eyes. "Go, Kim. Do what you … what you think is right… I'll keep them off you. Just go."

Kim hesitantly glanced from Ron's back to the spear and back again. "Do what you think is right, Kim. We'll cross whatever bridges we have to later... together." Ron said, not taking his eyes from the two Rangers.

"Ron?" Kim asked again, clutching her chest.

If I see you next to never

"We're partners, Kim," Ron glanced back and flashed his goofy, lopsided smile. "Forever. It's what you always said. Sorry for being stupid, KP. No matter what happens between us, what side we're on, or if we're on opposite sides, you're my best friend, and I'm yours. Now, do what you need to do and go!"

How can we say forever

Ron sighed sadly when Kim, without another thought, grabbed the lance and vanished in mid-air. "You buffoon, how could you let her get away like that?" The Red Time Force Ranger yelled.

"No wonder the rest of your team of Rangers left you guys here," Ron snarled, narrowing his eyes on the rangers. "You're nothing but heartless idiots!"

I took for granted, all the times
That I thought would last somehow

"I don't know what she did to you, but you're protecting the wrong side," the Quantum Ranger snapped, taking a step toward Ron.

"Power Rangers protect the helpless," Ron replied in a boldness he had never used before as his morpher appeared on his wrist. "Kim is like she is because of me. This is my mess that I plan to clean up myself. Go back to your own town; Middleton's taken care of!"

"I don't think you know who you're dealing with, son," the Red TF Ranger replied, placing a hand on his weapon.

I hear the laughter, I taste the tears
But I can't get near you now

"You've been at this longer than me; you should know things aren't always black and white," Ron said, lifting his morpher, "And YOU don't know who YOU'RE messing with! IT'S MORPHIN' TIME! GORILLA POWER!"

Oh, can't you see it baby
You've got me going crazy

The Rangers watched in awe as a transparent red image of a gorilla leapt from the morpher before leaping into Ron, forming his Red Ranger uniform. "Power down and give us the morpher," the Red TF Ranger said, approaching Ron in solid steps, "The Power Rangers aren't needed anymore."

"You're kidding, right?" Ron asked through the helmet. "Whose side are you on anyway?"

"We're on the side of innocent people," the Quantum Ranger replied, drawing his weapon, but holding it at his side. "We don't want another disaster caused by amateurs with Zords, now, do we?"

Before Ron could reply, the Red TF Ranger cried out as the Lance of Longinus slashed across his side and then kicked him to the ground.

"Kim?" Ron asked in shock as she leg swept the Quantum Ranger before turning to him, putting the tip of the lance to his neck.

"Where's Ron?" She asked with narrow, hate-filled eyes. "Did you or these bozos hurt him?"

I wonder how we can survive
This romance

"Didn't you see …" the Red Ranger asked as Kim's red, demonic eyes reflected in his helmet.

"No, I almost went back to my Mistress … but …" She lowered the spear slightly and glanced away. "I couldn't leave him here like that …" she drifted off before jabbing his neck slightly again, "If any of you bastards hurt him, I swear I'll … I'll …"

"I'm … I … I'm … I saw … Ron got out of here when I got here …" the Red Ranger replied somewhat lamely, but Kim lowered the spear, buying the excuse. "Watch it!" The Ranger yelled, pulling Kim to the ground as a laser from the Quantum Ranger's blaster narrowly missed the back of her head.

"Ok, if we're gonna both get out of here, we're gonna have to take these pains in the butt down," the Red Ranger said to his demonized best friend. "I'll take the red one."

But in the end if I'm with you

"They're both red …" Kim narrowed her red eyes, "Stop foolin' around; I'll take the left, and you take the right."

"But don't kill them." Ron added quickly, "The real Kim Possible doesn't kill."

"No big, I'll play it your way this time, Red," Kim nodded, pulling him to his feet with her. "Let's do it."

I'll take the chance

For the first time since the fateful overheard phone call, Team Possible once again leapt into action. Ron couldn't help but smile as he leapt at the two recovering Rangers with Kim at his side.

Oh, can't you see it baby
You've got me going crazy

Ron vaguely glanced to see Kim easily battling the Quantum Ranger while he matched fists and kicks with the Red TF Ranger. "You don't know what you're doing," the Time Force Ranger barked.

"Shaddup," Ron replied, punching him in the helmet and sending him reeling.

Wherever you go
Whatever you do
I will be right here waiting for you

Kim and the Red Ranger glanced at each other and nodded. Then, in unison, they grabbed their opponents' respective wrist and spun before sending them sailing out the window.

"Who's the amateur, now?" the Red Ranger nodded to the broken window before turning to Kim. "We … we make a pretty good team," he said to the demonized human girl standing in a defensive stance at the ranger.

Whatever it takes

"I'm going to go away now," Kim snarled, holding the point of the lance at the Ranger. "And I'm not going to beat you up because like you said … we made a pretty good team."

Ron nodded slightly with his tears hidden by the visor.

"Next time we meet, I'm not going to hold back. I'm going to kill you, or you'll have to kill me. Got it?" she asked with narrowed eyes. Again, Ron silently nodded.

Or how my heart breaks

"And … and …" Her face softened as she looked down and lowered the lance. "Tell Ron … tell him … tell him KP said … that she's sorry for what she's become."

Ron watched her vanish before his eyes and then dropped to his knees, unsnapping his helmet latches and jerking it off his head. He screamed loud and long as he slammed the helmet against the floor, cracking the visor. "I swear …" he whispered through his sweat and tears. "I'll get you back, KP … I'll bring you home if it takes the rest of my life."

I will be right here waiting for you

To Be Continued …

Song Credits: Right Here Waiting – Richard Marx