"The Test"

Yori and Hirotaka came into the room. They bowed to Master Sensai and then to Ron. "Stoppable-san, it is time for you to use what you have learned. Hirotaka-san and I will brief you tonight on our mission. We leave at dawn tomorrow." Ron got up, bowed to Master Sensai and followed Yori and Hirotaka. They walked to Hirotaka's room and sat down. Hirotaka pulled out a map of Japan.

"We believe Fukushima is hiding out here." Hirotaka pointed to a location just outside of Tokyo. "We believe Fukushima went to work for Monkey Fist after he was expelled from Yamanouchi. Our intelligence indicates that Fukushima will be meeting Monkey Fist here tomorrow." Hirotaka pointed to the spot on the map. This was the monastery for the last great Samurai guild. Legend states buried deep within this monastery is another mystic blade similar to the lotus blade, called the dragon blade. They were the guardians of the dragon blade. Before, it fell, the last group of remaining Samurai warriors safely hid the blade somewhere within the monastery. Since Monkey Fist was unable to attain the Lotus Blade, he and Fukushima are in search of this other mystic blade. Legend has it this blade isn't as powerful as the Lotus Blade but in the hands of Monkey Fist or Fukushima, would be very dangerous. We must stop them from finding the Dragon Blade."

"You must get your rest Stoppable-san. You start the next steps toward your destiny tomorrow."

Ron got up, bowed to both Yori and Hirotaka and left for his room.

Hirotaka and Yori were finalizing plans for tomorrow mission. "Yori-san, is Stoppable-san ready?"

Yori nodded. "Hai, Stoppable-san is ready. He will honor us tomorrow."

Next morning, Ron was up and dressed in the black kimono with face mask that Yori had provided the previous day when Yori had knocked on the door.

"Are you ready Ron-kun?"

"Yes, I am although I must admit I am a little nervous."

"You will do fine Ron-kun. I believe in you."

"Yori, I noticed you sometimes call me Stoppable-san and sometimes call me Ron-kun. What is the difference?"

"Stoppable-san is the formal greeting that shows respect. When I am with others, I must always refer to you as Stoppable-san. Ron-kun is more intimate, which I use when we are alone. If you are uncomfortable, I will always use Stoppable-san."

"No Yori, call me Ron-kun. I like it." Ron smiled. Yori smiled back.

Hirotaka walked up with three horses. Hirotaka bowed. "Good morning Stoppable-san. I trust you slept well."

Ron bowed back. "Yes I did, thank you for asking Hirotaka-san."

Yori grabbed her horse and Ron's. She handed Ron the straps to his horse. "We must make haste."

All three mounted their horse. Man am I glad that I went with Kim to visit her Uncle at Crooked D Ranch. Before they left, Ron had learned how to properly mount, ride and dismount a horse. All three rode down the mountain. The radiant sun bathing them on their journey


Back in Middleton:

Eric and Kim were talking in front of Kim's locker when Mr. Barkin came by. "Possible, I just got another message for our sister school in Yamanouchi Japan. They would like you to accompany Ron for the last week. You are set to fly out Sunday night. I've already notified your parents." A smile spread across Kim's face. Kim had been pretty bummed that Ron left for Japan and he couldn't tell her anything about Japan. Although she hadn't thought too much about it since Eric came into the picture. Still, she was very happy to get to go to Japan, secretly hoping she could learn what Ron hadn't been able to tell her. As Mr. Barkin was telling Kim this, Tara just happened to walk by. Tara stopped dead in her tracks when she heard this. Why does Kim get to go to Japan and not me? Was this Ron's choice? Tara was fuming. Ron will get a piece of my mind when I talk to him tonight! Tara wanted to give Kim a piece of her mind but opted to resume walking. I will deal with Ron!


Back in Japan:

Hirotaka, Ron and Yori were riding their horses toward the monastery. It was approaching noon as they arrived. When they got there, they noticed somebody had already forced their way in. Yori and Hirotaka looked worried. "We must hurry."

They crawled through the small opening through the stone. They had brought oil lanterns to help them see in the dark. They heard Monkey Fist's laughter. As they got close, they saw the glow from the torches that Monkey Fist and Fukushima had brought in. To their surprise, Monkey Fist was already holding the dragon blade. "At last, the Dragon blade is mine." Monkey Fist started laughing. "Soon, I will unlock the mystic power behindthe dragon blade. I will then go after the lotus blade which belongs rightfully to me."

Hirotaka, Yori and Ron looked and it other and nodded. They showed themselves. Yori spoke up. "Monkey Fist, you shall never possess the lotus blade. The dragon blade doesn't belong to you either. Fukushima you have further dishonored yourself by continuing to help Monkey Fist." All three of them ready in fighting stance.

Monkey Fist and Fukushima both laughed. Monkey Fist responded, "We shall see about that. Monkey Ninjas attack."

Fukushima looked at Ron. "Outsider, we meet again. However, the honor of victory will be mine."

Yori looked at Ron. "Stoppable-san, Hirotaka and I will deal with the monkey ninjas." Ron nodded, motioned for Fukushima and grinned. "Bring it!"

Hirotaka and Yori had no trouble dispatching the monkey ninjas. Hirotaka turned to help Ron with Fukushima. Yori held him back. "Stoppable-san can handle Fukushima. We must make sure Monkey Fist doesn't escape.

Ron and Fukushima fought hand-to-hand for several minutes. Ron noticed that Fukushima was quicker and better technique than when they last met. Fukushima noticed the same thing. "Outsider, you fight well. You should join us and together we will take control of the lotus blade and the world."

"Fukushima, you have no honor. You had turned your back on Yamanouchi. I would never join you and Monkey Fist." With a look of determination, Ron spun into a reverse round spin kick which caught Fukushima off guard and sent him flying through the air and landed hard to the ground.

Yori smiled as she saw this. Hirotaka was a bit shocked. Stoppable-san had learned much.

As Fukushima got up to re-engage Ron, Monkey Fist stepped in. "Enough child's play. I grow impatient. You have 10 seconds to walk away or feel the wrath of the dragon blade." He held up the Dragon blade and to everyone's amazement, it started glowing.

Hirotaka spoke up. "Monkey Fist has already learned the secret of the Dragon blade." He turned to Yori and Ron. Together, we must disarm him.

Ron had a look of determination. He knew what he had to do. He turned to Hirotaka and Yori. "Monkey Fist is mine." To Hirotaka's amazement, he noticed the sparkle in his eyes. Stoppable-san had learned to control the power the stones have given him. Yori just smiled. Ron-kun is becoming a formidable warrior.

Monkey Fist heard this and laughed. "You and your rodent may have been exposed to the mystical monkey power but only I am the master of Tye Shing Pek Kwar and now only I control the Dragon blade. Without the lotus blade, you are nothing."

Ron looked Monkey Fist straight in the eye. He smiled, closed his eyes and held his palms together in front of his face. The smile had disappeared, replaced by a look of determination. Suddenly, with a flash of brilliant light the lotus blade appeared in his hands.

Monkey Fist gasped. The buffoon has learned to control the lotus blade. I must have it. Suddenly a evil smirk appeared on Monkey Fist's face. "It has come down to this. You control the lotus blade and I control the dragon blade. I have underestimated you. You are a worthy opponent Ron Stoppable. I shall achieve my greatest victory by defeating you and then only I will control the lotus blade." Monkey Fist did his evil laugh and then grunted as he charged Ron. Fukushima, Hirotaka and Yori just watched in awe as Ron and Monkey Fist when at it, blade to blade. The clashing of the blades echoed through the monastery. Up to that point, the fight appeared evenly matched. Yori yelled to Ron. "Stoppable-san. Remember what Master Sensai taught you." Ron suddenly remembered a trick that Master Sensai had thought him. Ron took a big jump back to separate himself from Monkey Fist. He closed his eyes and put both hands on the handle of the blade. The blade suddenly glowed a magnificent blue. He pulled his hands apart and the blade became two.

Monkey Fist gasped in awe. "I must have the Lotus Blade." Monkey Fist charged Ron but with two blades, Monkey Fist was no match for Ron. Soon Ron had managed to knock the dragon blade out of Monkey Fists hands. The dragon blade went flying and landed near Fukushima. Fukushima went to grab the dragon blade but Ron lept into the air and landed in between Fukushima and the dragon blade. Fukushima backed up in fear.

Meanwhile, Monkey Fist tried to sneak behind Ron while he was preoccupied with Fukushima to retrieve the dragon blade. Yori and Hirotaka stopped Monkey Fist from getting to the blade. Ron turned around and noticed Monkey Fist heading toward the blade and that Yori and Hirotaka cut off his path. Ron closed his eyes again. The two blades glowed again. He put his hands together and the two blades became one again.

Ron suddenly had a vision. In his vision he saw the two blades become one. With the lotus blade still glowing, he reached out the touched the dragon blade. Suddenly the lotus blade levitated out of Ron's hand. It glowed a bright red. Suddenly, the red field engulfed the dragon blade. The dragon blade started to glow red. The dragon blade rose and floated next to the lotus blade. The dragon blade suddenly pulled toward the lotus blade and the two blades merged. The lotus blade then disappeared and then suddenly reappeared in Ron's hand. The red glow disappeared. Ron noticed additional markings on the side of the blade that he recognized seeing on the dragon blade. It was as if the lotus blade had marked itself with its kill.

Fukushima, Monkey Fist, Yori and Hirotaka were staring at Ron and the lotus blade with awe, amazed at what they had just witnessed. Ron, Hirotaka and Yori quickly left in haste. Monkey Fist and Fukushima did not pursue them. They quickly mounted their horses and headed back to Yamanouchi. Very little was said on the ride back. Yori and Hirotaka trying to process what they had seen. Ron was also in shock the power of the lotus blade.

When they arrived back at Yamanouchi, they went into debriefing with Master Sensai. They explained all that had happened. Master Sensai spoke up. "The Lotus Blade is one of several mystic blades created by our ancestors. Our guild is the guardian of the lotus blade. The lotus blade is believed to the most powerful of these ancient swords. This is why Monkey Fist tried to steal it first. A more powerful blade is capable of absorbing the power of a lesser blade. Legend states there are a total of six blades, now five since the lotus blade and dragon blade are now one in the lotus blade. Monkey Fist will try again once he discovers the location of the remaining blades."

Ron said, "We will be ready."

Master Sensai nodded but warned. "Do not be overconfident Stoppable-san. You have grown powerful but you still have much to learn. Monkey Fist is still very dangerous."

Late that evening,Ron picked up his kimmunicator and called Kim. It was just early morning in Middleton.

"Ron, I got invited to Yamanouchi. I leave Sun night." Ron could tell Kim was very excited. Ron smiled, "Yes KP."

"Will you be able to tell me what went on last time you where there?"

"Relax, KP. Before we leave for Middleton together, you will know the truth." Kim just smiled. "Listen KP, it's been a long day. I still need to call Tara. We can talk all you want when you get here." Ron yawned.

"Ok, Ron. I will see you in a few days."

"Bye, KP."

Ron called Tara. He wasn't ready for what Tara had to say.

"Ron, you invited Kim to Japan but not me, your girl friend?" Ron cringed. Tara was not happy. Ron was glad Tara didn't have a kimmunicator as he could only imagine the look on her face.

"Tara, it was not my decision. The head of the Yamanouchi school extended the offer not me."

"But didn't they ask you for your opinion?"

"Tara, it doesn't work that way. I had no idea Kim was coming until after they told me they were extending the invitation. Honest!"

There were a few awkward moments of silence. "Tara, you still there?"

Tara's voice softened considerably. "I'm sorry for yelling at you Ron. I was jealous that Kim got invited and not me. I know how tight you and Kim are and that only makes it harder. You want me there right?

"Well, Yes and No?"

Tara's voice got worked up again. "What do you mean Yes and No."

Ron sighed. "Tara, yes I would like to see you and yesI miss you but they got me studying some things that require me to be focused. If you were here, I'd find it hard to concentrate."

Tara just giggled. "Very good answer!"

"Am I off the hook?"

"Yes, you are Ron. Sorry I got all worked up. I'm happy you called." Tara went on to talk about what's been going on around Middleton and school while he had been gone. Tara mentioned they got a new student Eric who Kim was showing around the school. Tara also mentioned that Eric and Kim had been hanging around a lot.

Who the heck is Eric? KP never mentioned Eric? Oh well, no big. Kim is just doing what she would do for any new student. Kim is probably hanging around Eric because I'm not around.

Ron yawned again. "Listen Tara, I had a long day and I got another long day tomorrow. We'll talk more tomorrow night ok?" They bid each other good night and hung up.

Sunday evening, the Possible's drop Kim off at the airport. Kim boarded the plane for Japan.