------------Ch. 8

The school day was pretty uneventful, but when it ended the genders paired off at the Rons insistence, saying they needed some time to talk alone. The girls ended up at Bueno Nacho while the boys hit the Stoppable house hold so Ron could drop the hologram and speak candidly.

"Ruffus and Bonnie, never thought I'd see any version of her willingly hold him." the human version shook his head, having passed his hairless buddy so he rather than forcing him to be in the presence of the predators scent. "So you are sure the smell will be gone in a few days?"

"Well not gone-gone, more like he can live here again after two days, just trust me on this, it's what my Ruffus told me." his ears falling against his head in is depression.

"You really do miss him."

"We were close for a long time, having to give him up wasn't easy, especially to the twins, as much as I trust him, those two are a little crazy."

"Preaching to the choir my brother, I have no idea how Kim puts up with them some times."

"Same way I do, We love our little brothers, despite their quarks, and pray they don't end up doing anything that can be considered a bio-hazard."

"So you really think of those two as your brothers?"

"Don't you?"

That caused Ron to pause for a minute and really think, "Ya I guess I do think of those two as brothers, or at least close cousins."

"Then you do get it." giving him a feline smile.

They were both silent for a moment or two, both knowing where the conversation had to go, but neither sure how to begin, until finally "How did you know the Lotus Blade would work?"

"I didn't" a very serious look on his face.

"WHAT!?"

"The lady said nothing they'd tried could cut through the polymer, I doubted a magic was something they tested, besides if it could carve a school into a mountain, I figured 'worth a shot'."

"You risked the Lotus Blade falling in to the hands of Monkey Fist on a hunch, ARE YOU INSANE?!" the only thing keeping him from attacking his cat twin was in the back of his mind, he feared he too could control the Lotus Blade, and stopping him then might be impossible.

"It worked didn't it?"

"But you didn't know it would"

"Better to be lucky than good, just glad being it's guardian transends reality barriers."

"Whoa, wait, what do you mean 'gaurdian'?"

"As in, he who shall guard the sword till it's true master appears"

"But we are its true masters."

Confusion hitting the cat man hard, "You mean your the swords master? I mean I know the prophesy doesn't really apply to you like it does to me, but how?"

"The recipient of the mystical monkey power shall be master of the sword, how does that not apply to us?"

"For 1 that's not the prophesy, two you mean you have the monkey power?" his fur rising in disgust.

"Yes it is, and you don't have monkey power?"

"Hell no, it's monkey power, it's creepy and wrong."

"So you didn't get the power when Kim collected the last of the 4 monkey idols for Monkey Fist ?"

"No, it didn't happen that way, it's true Kim and I retrieved the last monkey idol, but that's where it stopped. KP was freaked out about her cousin coming, so she sent me cause she thought Lord Fiske should help us on a case. Lord Monty Fiske is still all human on my word, he didn't go the whole 9 yards like yours did. He received the power, attacked me I fought back, the feline in me helped kick his butt."

"Then how did you know about the sword or what it could do? Sensi told me told me I was brought to the school because as one of the three holders of the monkey power, it was my destiny."

"Whoa, wait three? You, Lord Fiske and who else?"

"Ruffus got hit by the beam too."

"Figures, where I went so did he. As for how I knew about the sword, I was brought up to the school too, as part of a student exchange program. The Sensi explained I was part of a prophesy that related to the school, but the prophecy wasn't anything like you said, at least not my part."

"So what's your part in the prophecy then?" Ron had to admit he was interested in where this was going.

"The ape killer with a man's soul, shall become the guardian of the sword and protect it from the false master, till the true master comes to claim it."

"'Ape killer' nice name, and I get how it relates to you but how did they know about you being part cat?"

"I have no clue, they just did, and I didn't think it was the best idea to ask them."

"Make sences, you never want to qestion the guy throughing the party, so what does the prophesy mean exactly?"

"Lord Fiske stole the sword, I retrieved it, Sensi used magic to bind the sword to me, making it so no one can use the sword or its powers unless I relinquish the sword to them, or I'm killed. Sensi gave me the low down on the swords history and the whole shape changing skill the lingering after effects that the sword has of those with the monkey power, I just don't have access to that ability. Like you I can call my version of the sword to me, but that's as far as it goes, and like you I was bound to secrecy. Luckily keeping the martial arts they taught me a secret wasn't part of the secret, but since I didn't stay that long, I didn't learn that much."

"Whoa wait go back, what lingering after effects, don't tell me I'm going to grow a tail of anything."

"No, basically, anyone exposed to the monkey power, only has access to a small portion of it, they know every move of monkey kung-fu they just don't know how to tapp into the information. When they hold the sword they have access to all that knowledge, even if they lose the sword, the effect of the sword stays with the person for a short time, I'm not sure how long."

"So that explains the fissure I made after the sword was knocked over the cliff."

"Fissure? Never mind I don't want to know that secret."

"Speaking of the whole secrecy thing, do you have any idea how much trouble I could have been in?"

"Not really, I didn't get much in the way of a threat when I left to keep my muzzle shut."

"I didn't really either, but that's not the point I promised not to reveal their secret."

"And you didn't, you really think I would have put both of us in that situation if I didn't think I could have gotten us out of it. I'd rehearsed that whole speech in my head dozens of times, just in case I had to use it on Bonnie or anyone else. I'm guessing you didn't have a plan ready in case you had to use the sword against Monkey Fist?"

"I never thought I'd need to" Ron couldn't help feeling some how ashamed of him self that he hadn't thought of something like that.

His twin came off very gentle, "and now you don't have to, so you don't need to worry. So what are you going to do with it?"

"I have to find a way to get it back to the school with out letting KP or Wade in on anything, maybe I'll get lucky and Yuri will come and get it."

"You mean that stuck up traitor?" not believing his ears.

"No Yuri's cool here, probably the closest thing I had to friend while I was there except Ruffus."

Shaking his head, "the more things change"

Scrambling for something to say Ron finally found it, "You think you can teach me to control Brick and his boys?"

A very sinister grin spread across Ron's muzzle, making his human twin more than a little nervous, "You ask and you shall receive young grasshopper, but be aware, I can tell you how to do what I do, I can show you how to do it, but the final act of doing it, belongs to you." Ron's tail quickly went in to over drive moving back and forth end twitching as he passed on all he knew about playing mind games.

--------------------------------

Bueno Nacho

Kim was in her usual place, with the not so common companion in Ron's place eating away on a Noco, doing her best to put on a show of not liking her surroundings.

'This is amazing, Bon.., Rock''', she reminded herself the name she was asked to use, can make even a civil conversation sound like an argument. Not that it a bad skill to have at the moment, seeing the 2 of us together for any other reason would create a problems later on.' As she couldn't help but smile at the thought of Bonnie trying to explain why they were together, when she was no where in the area.

"So then cat just stared him down, he didn't even try a fight back." the disdain in Rock's voice was almost comical when she saw the admiration and respect in her eyes.

"He can't be that good" was more of a force sneer than a legitimate one

"Sometimes he just has to look at someone, a few fun ones forget how to move." Fighting hard to keep her laugh in making the comment seem very out of place. "You can't even imagine how much joy you can get watching a few punks squirm."

"Yo, Kim, what's up girl" neither girl needed to raise their head, both new the voice instantly, Monique. "Whoa since when did you two start hanging out." as grabbing a glance at Bonnie.

"She's on the squad Monique," As Kim turned her attention to her friend, "and we're just discussing a new routine."

"Funny, when I walked in it seemed like you two were arguing."

"Sometimes the adverserial process makes for the best head way," Bonnie did her best to keep her voice neutral

Monique couldn't help but give Bonnie a sideways look at that comment, "Well excuse me if history between you two says otherwise."

"History doesn't always matter, sometimes the here and the now are all that is relevant." a slight hint of irritation slipping into Bonnie's voice.

"Don't get that way with me girl."

"Break it up," Kim finally hissed, "we're in public." Look over at Monique, "Please, we were having a conversation and we need to finish it Mon., I'm sorry." A quick glance in Kim's eyes told Monique not to argue, she was hurt, but she complied and left the restaurant. Kim finally turned back to Rock', "Ok what was that all about?"

Rock' turned away from Kim's gaze at first, preferring to look out the window trying to gather her thoughts, after a minute or 2 she turned slid out of the booth and walked out the door, Kim right behind her. Kim was a bit suprised at Rock's speed as she walked off and it took her a few steps to catch up.

"I'd seen the three hanging out together at places, every so often I'd run across Monique away from Kim and Ron and I'd over hear things." The last statement piqued Kim's interest as Bonnie kept talking, "Usually it was normal stuff, clothing, cute guy, job; but there were time when I'd catch tail ends of conversations, generally 'how can Kim like the pale excuse for a guy?'. Usually when I heard this I assumed it was just Kim crushing on someone, and try a pick up as much as I could, I knew they were close, and I hoped I could find something to use against her. After a while I put the pieces together a knew she was talking about Ron. Ron and I weren't friends, but I respected him, and I hated hearing her insulting him, but I never did anything, I didn't see a reason. But when Kim disappeared, it was hard on everyone, even before Ron came back, we all blamed him, even me, but Monique took it even harder. The second Ron came back she laid into him, vocally and physically, knowing what I know now, I amazed he didn't snap then and there. It took three of the football players to pull her off of him, she didn't really hurt Ron, at least not physically, but her screaming calling him a worthless degenerate that didn't deserve a saint like Kim to give him a second glance did a lot of damage. I guess that day was also my first act of kindness to Ron, helping him to his feet, he gave me a weak little smile," shaking her head a little and smiling. "Monique started a one woman crusade against Ron, probably one of the contributing factors to Ron's deterioration during that first week back. When Ron and I teamed up, Monique found out and she tried to come after me the way she did Ron, needless to say it didn't work, she was on her back at my feet in only five moves. She attempted to make people believe that Ron and I were partners, and had engineered Kim's disappearance, which didn't bear any fruit. After a while people just chalked every thing she did to grief, people knew she and Kim had gotten tight, they just figured she'd snapped. After a while she calmed down with the public displays, more because they hurt her reputation than because she was learning, and kept to being catty, and not in the good Ron way. She's made it her life to make us miserable, and seeing yours, old walls came up real quick."

"That just seems so unlike Monique"

"Maybe yours, not mine," Rock' turned to Kim grabbing her and looking her straight in the eyes, "But talk to her just in case, don't let what happen in my reality happen here. If something happens to you, make sure people other than your family are loyal to Ron, mine has advantages over your I admit, but your Ron can still do a lot of damage on his own, he needs to know people care about him. I've watched, I've seen him fight, if set down the wrong road he could be more dangerous than Shego ever could hope to be, make sure people are there for him, if something happens to you he could easily become an angel of death to many." By the time Rock' was done tears were freely falling down her face.

"OK, I promise, I'll talk with her Rock', just calm down." But the words, combines with the last few days had hit Kim hard, for the first time she really saw Ron as a dangerous person. Even after what had transpired against the silver robot, she never really seen Ron as dangerous, but Rock's words really made her think. She and Ron had been together since the start, and while Ron was in many ways beneath her, he was still superior to many of the people she knew and fought, if Ron turned his interests to killing, he really could be dangerous. 'I'll talk to Monique, I'll find out if she respects Ron, I won't let what happened in Rock's reality happen here, I won't.'

--------------------------------------

An hour later at Ron's house

"But your faster than I could ever hope to be."

"You have mystical Monkey Power."

"You can track by scent."

"You have access to a sword that can become any weapon"

"You've seen Rock' in a two piece"

"You still have Kim"

"You can send Bick into brain lock"

"And now potentially, so can you"

"You can literally take any girl you want."

"The only girl that wants me is a mutant."

"So you..... did you say a mutant?"

"remember me telling you about AAME?"

"She was DNAmys creation right, the snake bird thing right?"

"That's how she appeared at first, I found out through subsequent meetings that AAME can change her appearance. Right now AAME's sole goal is making a new race, by finding the perfect mutant to mate with."

"OK so how can you complain?" not believing for a second, that any guy would turn down a girl that wants him, and snake bird form didn't sound that bad.

"The first time I saw her in person, she was in a body of a wolf fused to a super model, with a skunks fur color and tail, and the most incredible wings I've ever seen since. That confrontation was when she first decided that I might be worthy of being her mate."

"Your turning down a woman that basically a furry super model, WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!?"

"The fact that the next time I saw her she was basically a Kodiac bear, with porcupine quills, a scorpion tail, and a cobra's head."

"I see your point" as Ron tried very hard to keep that image from replaying the image of the super model wolf

"Don't get the wrong idea here, it has nothing to do with the flesh, if anyone's learned to look past that it's me, it's the way she acts that scares me. At first I thought she just wanted to be the mother of a new species, turns out she wants to be the mother of the new master race, a super predator that will rule this world by the old code, kill or be killed. To say the least, I don't want anything to do with her, and as inviting as some of her bodies have been, and believe me some of her bodies have been very inviting both visually and pheromonily, I can't be a party to what she wants."

"But you have to admit, it's kind of cool when you think out it, Ron Stoppable father of a new race, how many people could put that on a resume?"

"Hopefully I won't be one of them."

"Still that has go to be every guys dream, a woman that can change her appearance and wants you."

"Unfortunately the dream and the reality are to very different things."

"Yeah guess your right," a few moments of silence passed, "So how inviting were some of her bodies?"

A wide smile spread across his twins feline muzzle, "Imagine a merged mink, fox and rabbit crossed with the best attributes of every swim suit mode and centerfold over the last 20 years, with no clothing and a minimum of fur."

--------------------------------

"You went out with Will Duu?" Kim could not believe her ears.

"I lost a bet, I had no choice, dinner was nice, except he kept getting fresh. Third time he grabbed my butt I decked him he ended up with a concussion, and that's nothing compared to what Ron did to him the next time they where in the same room together. Last I checked he still had the scars."

"You two must be really close."

"Not as close as he and Kim were, but still pretty close, as long as he doesn't go all demon guard dog on me."

"Demon guard dog?" almost afraid to ask.

"In my reality a rumor was started that Josh Mankey drugged a girl, it turned out not to be true, but that's beside the point. He started hitting on me and he wouldn't take no for an answer, I got nervous, I told Ron hoping he would calm me down. Instead he cornered Mankey, didn't even turn off the hologram, I have no clue what Ron did exactly but by the time he finished Josh couldn't even look at me, or any girl for over a month."

"The more you tell me about your Ron, the more I think he needs to be medicated."

"He's loyal to those who earn it," smirking a little, "and have you ever tried to give a cat a pill? I'd rather go 3 rounds with him in a flaming steel cage"

"GWA?"

"Unfortunately"

"I'm guessing he had more luck getting you into wrestling than he did me."

"Define getting into, I've watched a few eps with Ron, went to a live show once, that is it."

"In other words 'no'."

"So, do I need to worry at all about Josh?"

"Well mine didn't drug a girl, but if what Ron says is true, ours takes steroids, supposedly Ron can smell it anytime Josh passes. But as you can tell what's true there isn't always true here."

"Still just the same, I plan on watching him a bit closer, just in case a little bit of yours is in mine."

ch 9

Bottom of Form 1