A.N.

Aha! The new chapter!

I'm back and in better condition than before! Hopefully you will see my performance improve now!

As Kim and Ron continue their journey in search of their friends, Kim struggles to trust her closest ally? Why?

Find out and enjoy!

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Chapter25- For the sake of our Friendship!

"Kim?" what was once a voice Kim had always been pleased to hear anytime called, but now she quivered to Ron's voice, "You look a little tired."

"I'm fine Ron!" Kim replied half-heartedly.

They've journeyed for what was about half an hour, but felt like three. At least to Kim.

She wasn't comfortable with this situation at all. A vital adversary who had defected to their side is now six inches deep under the soil, a member of the team is missing in action and her sidekick and closest friend's, perhaps even mate, behavior has been beyond weird.

"You know Kim," Ron began, agitating Kim some more, "if it helps I know a shortcut from here!"

"Really, Ron?" Kim snapped and turned to look at him, "Where might it lead us?"

"To…umm…to our objective of course, silly!"

"Do you even know our objective?"

"Yeah, isn't it…my pet…uh…and best naked friend?" he struggled to fit that sentence together.

Kim eyed his response most awkwardly, "Not yet, first we need to reach Wade!"

"That's the computer nerd, right?" Ron questioned only to have Kim's eye narrow further on him, "Of course, because that's his name…Wade! The computer…nerd…of our team…the genius in our…bunch"

Ron smiled innocently, but Kim merely rolled her eyes and sighed as she turned back to continue walking.

"But wouldn't be better anyway to take the shortcut?" Ron insisted.

"Uh uh!" Kim shook her head, "I know this route, it's safe, but as for your shortcut…I think we should avoid unknown ground!"

"I've gone this way before!" Ron quickly replied, "It's…uh…smoother, your way has taken a lot of damage!"

"It's okay Ron, really!" Kim innocently declined with a smile, trying to avoid further suggestions from Ron. She feared that perhaps he could bring further harm to the situation. Not deliberately of course.

"Kim!" Ron snapped with a scowl clearly plastered on his face, "I can't go that way!"

"Why?" Kim asked, now annoyed with his attitude.

"Because…because I don't trust it! I don't trust where you're taking me!"

Kim gasped and her hand rushed to her chest.

"You…don't trust me?" Kim asked, rather hurt by his words, "W…why?"

"Well…coz…for all I know…you could be…you could be one of them!"

"Me?" Kim hesitated to find a way to convince Ron otherwise, the shock of his thoughts couldn't allow her to think clearly, "But Ron…you can trust me…I would never…"

"Then can we please take the shortcut?" Ron suggested in a rather sarcastic manner, but then his face showed a little emotion, "For our friendship's sake?"

"Ugh…" the pressure was too much for her to handle, suddenly she felt alone in the world, but she doesn't necessarily have to stay that way, Ron was giving her a choice, well, she didn't need to think twice to make a decision for this one, "Okay…for our friendship's sake!"

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The path was smooth, just as Ron described it. But in her heart it felt bumpy. How did they become so distant? Is she the cause of all this?

As much as it pained her to admit t, she felt more threatened around Ron that anyone else…even more, dare she say it, than Shego.

But, when Ron gave her the unfair option between the shortcut or their 'friendship', she saw it as a chance to fix that distance between them. But now a new fear arises. What if Ron changed sides? No!

She must have faith! She must trust him! Ron, her lifelong friend, sidekick and hopefully future spouse would never expose her to harm. She must believe that. For their friendship's sake!

The surrounding was very urban. Buildings, streets and even stores, although not left in the best conditions but the area looked better than the rest of Middleton.

"It's this way!" Ron called from ahead, pointing to a road going downhill.

"What is?" she yelled back, walking over to him.

"Where you wanted to go."

"What do you mean?"

"You mentioned a jamming signal…there's one coming from there."

Kim checked her kimmunicator, for the first time in a while. Indeed, he's telling the truth.

"How did you know?"

"Eh well…look!" Ron pointed up, "No flying thingies!"

Kim looked all around the sky. The entire area was clear, she noted…but also quiet, very quiet. Kim pushed the thought away. Must trust him…I must!

She faked a smile, "Okay, Ron! Let's keep moving!"

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They reached the bottom of the road only to face a tipped over lorry truck that formed a barricade. It was burning at a great energy. This was clearly done recently. But how could that be possible?

"Ugh…Ron," Kim giggled and turned to face a serious looking Ron, "This way is blocked! I thought you said it was…safe."

A lump formed in her throat when she noticed a crooked smile creep across his face.

"What?" Kim asked desperately, hoping this was some kind of twisted joke, "Ron…what's going on?"

Ron exploded into a hysterical laugh as tears slowly formed in her eyes. Her breathing grew heavier and her heart throbbed deeply in her throat as she was trying to convince herself that Ron would never hurt her, never sacrifice their friendship no matter what, but she was so wrong. An entire legion of Drakken's finest troops appeared from the confines of buildings, street corners and rubble across the area. Jets suddenly roared across the sky. Tanks rolled down the streets and came to a halt behind Ron, who was now taking several steps back to enjoy her reaction.

She refused to believe what she was seeing. She couldn't believe it, let alone understand it!

Kim finally collapsed in horror and devastation. Shattered at the grim reality of what had just happened. Broken. But on the inside feelings of bewilderment and terror spun within Kim forming a hurricane of emotions that would send an entire city soaring onto the clouds. Clouds that loomed over the beautiful flower gardens, sparkling rivers and whistling birds that made up her life. Kim burst straight into tears, she cried on her knees and then fell onto her side…nothing mattered anymore.

She failed her family, her friend and herself…she failed the entire world!

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A.N. Ah, the classic "hungry wolf/innocent girl" scenario!

Except…will this one backfire on the wolf?

As we come closer to the final battle I'd like to remind you the story, although based on Kim/Ron getting grounded, has not gone off topic.

I may have exaggerated though, but the fact that they got grounded did spark these events, and that's what this story is all about!

Just reminding you, that's all.

If you'd like to know what I meant earlier by "Better condition than before" then just check the 'Special' note in my bio!