This chapter was written by William Raymer. It totally Rocks!
Disclaimer: No one who wrote this story owns Kim Possible or Iron Chef America.
On with the story:
Ron stood in the entrance corridor and listened on his earpiece as the commentator introduced him. "Today, we have the inventor of the world-famous 'Naco,' the most popular item on the menu at Bueno Nacho, the international Mexican fast food chain: Chef Ron Stoppable."
The curtains parted and Ron walked into Kitchen Stadium. The Chairman stood at the center of the stadium and bowed to Ron. Ron returned the bow. "Chef Stoppable, welcome. You honor us with your presence, as well as that of one of your assistants," the Chairman said. "Miss Possible saved my uncle three years ago. I am happy to finally meet her."
Ron smiled. He was there when Kim saved Chairman Takeshi Kaga of the Kaga Gourmet Academy. "Thank you, Chairman. The honor is mine," he said. "But, please know," the Chairman said. "Your rescue of Chairman Kaga will have no impetus on the verdict of the battle you are about to fight." "I'd expect nothing less," Ron said.
"So, today will be your debut competition in Kitchen Stadium. How do you feel?" the Chairman asked. "Well, to tell you the truth, sir, I'm a little nervous," Ron said. "But, I'm ready to battle." "Excellent. We expect a great match," the Chairman said. "Each battle has a unique recipe with a flavor and essence all its own. And so, on this day in Kitchen Stadium, I have decided that our challenger, Chef Stoppable, will face off against Iron Chef…"
Ron looked at the four Iron Chefs. Each had career experience far in excess of his own, but he knew that whichever Iron Chef the Chairman chose, he would give that person a run for his (or her) money. The Chairman pointed to… "Bobby Flay!" Spotlights shone on Bobby Flay. Ron turned to Kim, who pulled out her Kimmunicator. "Wade, give me data on Iron Chef Bobby Flay," Kim said.
On the Kimmunicator's screen, the image of Bobby Flay standing on a cutting board appeared, and then faded to Bobby throwing a cutting board over the counter at Kitchen Stadium Japan and standing on the bare countertop. "He is an arrogant son-of-a-gun, Stoppable-san, so be careful," a voice from behind Ron said as images from Flay's battles in Kitchen Stadium America played on the Kimmunicator's screen.
Ron turned around and saw Masaharu Morimoto, one of the other three Iron Chefs in the A.G.A. stable. "Thank you for your advice, Morimoto-san. I hope to do well here," Ron said.
The Chairman told Ron and Bobby to come to the ingredient altar. "There is one more ingredient for this battle-our secret ingredient, the theme on which our chefs will offer their succulent variations. Today's secret ingredient is…" Amidst a cloud of dry ice smoke, the cover of the altar rose to the ceiling of the arena. "Cheese!" At the Chairman's declaration, Rufus popped out of the pocket of Ron's cooking jacket. "And, so, America, with an open heart and an empty stomach, I say unto you in the words of my uncle…."
The stadium fell silent as everyone waited for the Chairman's battle cry…. "ALLEZ CUISINE!" Ron gestured for Kim and Mary to start collecting the cheese they would use for the battle.
"Fifteen minutes have elapsed," the voice of the timing computer said. Ron picked up a pen and a few sheets of paper and began to write. Once the final piece was written on, Ron turned to Kim and Mary. "Do not touch those pieces of paper. I will put those on the Neo-Naco myself!" Ron said.
After the thirty minutes time call was made, a scream of pain echoed throughout Kitchen Stadium. Ron turned and saw that Mary had sprained her ankle after catching her foot on a camera's wires. The Chairman ran down to Ron's side, followed by a pair of medics. After examining the sprain, the Chairman said, "Chef Stoppable, you may bring in your alternate. But, if she or Miss Possible is injured, you'll have to finish by yourself." Ron nodded, and then gestured for Bonnie to come in. As Mary was led away by medics, she said to Ron, "Sorry, Boss." "It's all right, Mary. We'll win for you," Ron said.
As things quieted down on Ron's side, Bonnie turned to Ron. "So, between you and me, what's on those pieces of paper you said you were going to put on the Neo-Naco?" she asked. Ron looked at Kim, who was making a cheese sauce for the Neo-Naco, then turned back to Bonnie and whispered in her ear. Bonnie's eyes widened at what she heard. "Now, don't tell Kim!" Ron said. "All right, I won't," Bonnie said. "I owe Kim and you that much."
"Three minutes to go," the voice of the timing computer said. Ron turned to Kim, who was spreading the cheese sauce on the inside of the Neo-Naco. "I'll fold those myself," Ron said. "After all, I invented the Naco." Kim stepped aside and began to plate another dish. Ron began to fold the Neo-Naco shells, placing the pieces of paper in a plastic bag on the plate so that the greasy cheese sauce would not smudge the writing on the paper-writing that, Ron hoped, would begin a new life for him and Kim.
"3…2…1…" A horn blared. "Your time is up." Ron, Kim and Bonnie shared high-fives. Ron walked over to Bobby Flay's side of the stadium and extended his hand. "No hard feelings, whatever the outcome?" Ron said. "Right," Bobby said, shaking Ron's hand.
Finally, the tasting of Ron's dishes began. "Chef Stoppable, during the battle, you were seen writing parts of a message on five pieces of paper. Can you tell me what that is about?" he asked. "Sure, Mr. Chairman," Ron said. "First, I'd like Kim Possible to join me." Kim walked up to Ron. "Now, there should be a Ziploc-type plastic bag on the plate with your Neo-Naco," Ron said. "Now, Chairman, open yours first."
The Chairman opened his bag, then opened the plastic bag. Ron put his hand over Kim's eyes as "Kimberly Ann Possible" appeared on a nearby video wall. CNN reporter Anderson Cooper, food writer Jeffery Steingarten, Japanese food writer Akiko Katayama and Ted Allen (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's food and wine expert, for those who don't know) proceeded to open their bags and place their parts of the mysterious message on the table. Jaws dropped all over the tasting table and Kitchen Stadium as a whole as the message's intent became clear.
"Now, clear the message from the video wall and let the tasting continue," the Chairman commanded. "We shall let Kim see the message in full when the verdict is read."
After the tasting of both Ron and Bobby's dishes was complete, the Chairman stood between Ron and his assistants and Bobby and his assistants. "Today, two champions fought in Battle Cheese in Kitchen Stadium. And after an interruption which was bound to happen, the judges have spoken. And the winner is…."
The hall fell silent as the Chairman looked at the two fighters and smiled. "…Chef Ron Stoppable." Applause rang out as Ron, Kim and Bonnie exchanged handshakes with Bobby and his assistants. "Mr. Chairman, aren't we forgetting something?" Bobby said. "The message?" "Ah, yes," the Chairman said.
"Miss Possible, as you remember, during the tasting, Ron covered your eyes due to a message he had placed on five slips of paper, which he used as part of the decoration of the Neo-Naco, which, I have to say, was the best dish I've had here at Kitchen Stadium America. Now, it is time for you to see the message," the Chairman said.
On the video wall, the message from the tasting appeared. Kim's jaw dropped as the message appeared: "Kimberly Ann Possible, will you marry me?" Kim turned and saw Ron. He was down on one knee and holding a small blue case. It was open, revealing a gold and diamond ring. "So, will you marry me?" Ron asked.
Kim looked at the ring and started to cry. "Well?" everyone asked. "You know I cannot say no, Ron. Of course I'll marry you," Kim said. As Ron put the ring on Kim's finger, everyone in Kitchen Stadium America clapped and cheered. But, little did everyone that was in Kitchen Stadium know that its very existence would soon depend on the combination of the skills of the two most elite organizations in the world: the Iron Chefs of the American Gourmet Academy and the members of Team Stoppable.
To be continued…
Rear not-chapter 4 is on the way!
