Disclaimer - Don't own south park or any of the characters, just bored and wanted to write something fun.

Authors note – And so now onto the training montage!

Chapter 19

A few days later...

Randy had convinced the school and Kyle's family that and Stan both had some new form of mono that would keep them out of school until after the Christmas break. They'd also informed the school that Kenny, Butters, and Wendy were similarly afflicted. Kyle was pretty sure more than a little magic might have been involved in that. Mrs. Sharon slept almost all the time, waking up only to use the bathroom or to eat. Butters was still in a spare wheelchair from grandpa Marsh as both of his legs were still recovering and his left in a sling. He had bandages covering a large portion of his body, he'd definitely taken the biggest beating from Cartman. Kenny and Stan were bruised and battered but they were more or less recovered physically, mentally however they were both a mess. Stan had said very little since he'd told Kyle he couldn't protect him, and Kenny seemed to die a little bit every time he saw Butters. Wendy was a mess as well, she was the only one who had gone home almost immediately and had not come back. She answered any texts with one word answers whenever possible. She was shaken up by the sudden feeling of helplessness she'd never experienced before. Kyle looked up from his thoughts and saw his best friend moving food around on his plate. "Dude if you don't like my cooking you don't have to eat it, but don't play with it." Kyle said getting a little fed up with Stan's moping.

"No it's fine dude, the food is great..." Stan said slowly. The four boys and Randy all sat around the table eating the breakfast that Kyle had made for them. Since Mrs. Sharon wasn't in a condition to cook Kyle had taken it upon himself to prepare all the meals. Only he and Butters were really mentally fit in out of the friends, and with Butters broken body he couldn't really help.

"It really is great Kyle!" Butters piped up. He was smiling like usual. He had bounced back almost immediately after he woke up. He had only been upset for a moment when he didn't immediately see Kenny.

"Thank you Butters, It's definitely not Mrs. Sharon's cooking but I don't think I did too bad..." Kyle said though he secretly thought the eggs were a bit runny and the toast slightly burnt. Kenny was just watching Butters eat and helping wipe his mouth since the small blond only had one usable arm.

"Ken, I can still wipe my own mouth! And you need to eat up mister!" Butters said holding out his fork with some egg on it for Kenny to eat. Butters was reaching across his body to his left side so Kyle was sure that was probably uncomfortable for him. Kenny just smiled sadly.

"Alright Butterball..." Kenny said as he took a bit from the fork. Butters smiled and put his fork down. He wheeled his chair back slightly and then turned it so he was facing Kenny to give his arm a better angle. He began spoon feeding Kenny his breakfast humming. That seemed to cheer Kenny up slightly. Now what to do about the brooding black haired boy at the far end of the table from Kyle.

"Stan, want to go train at Jimbo's today? We can give the love birds here some space." Kyle said in a joking tone hoping that the combination of training and humor would perk Stan up. No dice though as Stan just looked and shrugged. "Ugh dude, come on! You're acting like you just got dumped by Wendy!" Stan's eyes snapped up at that and he got up from the table and walked out of the kitchen.

"Smooth Kyle..." Kenny mumbled through a mouthful of food as Stan stomped out of the room. Kyle was already slapping his palm to his forehead. Wendy had ignored all of Stan's calls and texts the last few days and when he'd gone over to her house her parents had turned him away saying she didn't want to see him. While they weren't technically broken up they definitely had seen better days.

"You should go talk to him Kyle, since Wendy isn't here you're the only one who can cheer him up." Butters said taking a bite of his own breakfast. Kyle sighed and nodded pushing his chair back and getting up to go after his best friend who judging by the slamming door had just gone into his room. Randy watched the whole exchange quietly eating his breakfast waiting till Kyle left.

"Kenny, now that those two are gone there is something I want to give you." Randy said pulling out two clips obviously meant for pistols. "I think you should try these out." Kenny just glanced at Butters before reaching out slowly to take them.

Outside Stan's door...

Kyle had met immediate resistance and was now sitting on the floor in the hallway playing with his hair trying to annoy Stan into letting him in. "But Staaaaaan!"

"Go away Kyle!" came a muffled shout from inside the room. Kyle rolled his eyes before banging the back of his head against the door repeatedly and whining. He knew Stan would get pissed of soon and open the door to more directly yell at him. And after a minute or two just as planned Stan flung the door open to glare at him, too easy! Kyle tackled him into his room, Stan caught him spreading his legs wide. Stan's right arm hooked around Kyle's back and lifted his left arm up while his left arm wrapped around Kyle's right and pushed down. Stan turned to his left till he and Kyle were facing the same direction. Stan's hip went out to the right and he leaned forward flipping Kyle over his back to land hard onto Stan's bed.

"Woah dude! You coulda killed me!" Kyle yelped, he knew he was greatly exaggerating but Stan was in an extremely bad mood. He would rarely resort to throwing Kyle even when he was angry. Unless of course it was really bad.

"You're fine, if I wanted it to hurt it would have." Stan huffed and went to walk out of his room but Kyle quickly sat up and grabbed his wrist.

"Dude we need to talk." Kyle said softly and Stan was like putty in his hands as he pulled him back to sit down on the bed. Kyle got up and closed the door before sitting down next to his best friend. He stared at Stan for what felt like forever looking for the words to start.

"Well?" Stan finally asked feeling uncomfortable just being stared at.

"Dude what is wrong with you? I know Cartman being turned into a shell or a revenant or whatever must have really shaken you up and seeing Kenny and Butters get hurt." Kyle could tell as soon as he finished speaking that he had definitely missed the mark. Those things had been bad but not enough to throw Stan out of whack like this.

"That is not why I'm upset! For someone so smart you can really be a dumb-ass sometimes!" Stan yelled standing up and pacing to his far wall where he had a heavy bag stand. He proceeded to strike it several times making the back quiver and shake but it didn't really swing.

"Care to tell me why you are being a raging dick then?" Kyle said standing up and putting his hands on his hips. He figured was going to just keep dodging the question so he was prepared to get more aggressive.

"Does it matter?" Stan mumbled quickly without turning around. He continued to strike the bag without missing a beat. Kyle was getting really pissed now, not only was Stan avoiding the question but he wouldn't even look at him.

"Yes it matters, whenever my best friend starts acting like a pussy it becomes my concern!" Kyle grabbed Stan's shoulder and tried to turn him towards him but Stan just rolled his shoulder and continued hitting the bag.

"You aren't my girlfriend Kyle, you don't need to worry about me so much." Stan said sounding slightly calmer but Kyle could tell he was faking it. Drastic measures then. Kyle pressed against Stan's back and wrapped his arms around his waist reaching up towards his chest. He stood on his toes and hooked his chin over Stan's shoulder and nibbled his ear gently. Stan froze mid punch.

"What if I want to be?" Kyle whispered huskily into Stan's ear. The dark haired boy shivered and then jumped away running into the heavy bag.

"What the hell Ky-" Stan started and turned around to see Kyle's face red with laughter biting his lip to contain himself. "You mother fucker!" It was Stan's turn to tackle Kyle this time both landing on the floor in a heap of curses and fake punches. Stan moved to tickle Kyle who countered with a kiss to Stan's forehead making him recoil. Kyle rolled them so he was on top and tried to pin Stan. That went about as well as his earlier tackle though and he ended up on his back again quickly. Stan felt like getting a little revenge and leaned down next to Kyle's face and whispered into his ear. "What if I want you to be...?" Stan asked nipping Kyle's neck. Just then the door flung open suddenly. Stan's teeth still on Kyle's neck, Kyle's face read and panting.

"Stanley you two are being too lou-" Mrs. Marsh was in the door way with tired eyes looking down at them. She was wearing a bathrobe, they must have woken her up with their fighting. "I'll come back later." She said yawning and closing the door. Stan and Kyle jumped apart just as she was closing the door. They both sat their awkwardly not looking at each other. They had always been close but that gone a little past just teasing.

"I swear she does that on purpose..." Stan said trying to force a laugh. Kyle chuckled lightly before remembering why he was here.

"Dude come on you know you can talk to me, I need to know what is bothering you." Kyle said scooting towards Stan and putting both hands on his friends shoulders to make him look him in the eye.

"What Cartman said is true. Out of all of us I'm the weakest with the smallest amount of potential." Stan said lowering his eyes. Kyle couldn't understand how Stan could be so dumb, he was an incredible martial artist, how could he think he was weak.

"What are you talking about dude? None of us could match you in a fight!" Kyle said smiling sure he was going to be able to cheer Stan up.

"Physical skill can only take you so far Kyle, I'm limited to only what the human body is capable of. But you, Butters, Wendy, and even Kenny are capable of things beyond that. Everything I am can be learned in a few months but you either have magic talent or you don't." Kyle wasn't sure what to say so he just sat and listened. "I knew one day you would be stronger than me, the minute you could use magic that was decided. But I thought it would be years or months before you didn't need me at least. But already after barely a week we've encountered an enemy that I can't even touch." So that was it, Kyle finally knew what was bothering Stan. He thought that Kyle didn't need him anymore.

"Dude that is just not true! I still need you, and I know I always will. No way can I fight monsters without my best friend with me!" Kyle said shaking Stan and putting on a confident smile.

"You can destroy them so much easier than I can though, a properly trained mage can kill dozens of shells in a single spell. I could never be capable of tha-" Kyle gently butted their heads together to get Stan to shut up.

"That isn't what I meant dude, I meant that I would be too afraid to face them, I need you there with me. No matter what you think, I think you are the strongest person I've ever met. But don't act like everything is on you either! I'm going to protect you now too k?" Kyle pulled Stan into a hug wrapping his arms around the back of Stan's head and letting him rest against the smaller boys chest. "I'm not some helpless damsel, you said it yourself I'm strong!" Kyle smiled then thought for a moment. "That being said, I wouldn't mind...if you saved me sometimes..." he said mumbling the last part. Stan put his arms around his friends waist and just lay against him, Kyle fell backwards and they just stayed there for the rest of the day quickly falling asleep. A mischievous Butters and Kenny took many pictures that day.

AN – Short chapter i'm sorry! I've had this half the chapter written for a few weeks but I just couldn't figure out where to go from here! Suffering writers block so here you go a little update to tide you over! Review to inspire me please! o3o