Notes – Yeah, forgot to mention, I don't own jack, Disney owns them all. Sorry for the delay folks, but a few new chapters to stories I've been reading, plus work (always getting in the way) came up and caused the delay in posting. By the way, if you haven't already, I highly recommend reading the REUNION and UNION story by G-Go! Also, I have to say is, it feels good to be writing again!
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Bonnie's Curse – Chapter 4
"I am most glad that you landed here instead!"
The next few seconds were a flurry of activity. Kim dropped immediately into a combat stance, scanning the tree line. Bonnie, with an initial yelp, dropped to a crouch, preparing to jump or dive out of the way of anything that might come at her. And Ron… Ron screamed!
The laugh that came from the trees, a light, almost fluttery sound, did not carry the sense of menace they had been anticipating.
"Oh Stoppable-san, you can be most amusing!"
"Yori?"
Ron's hand covered his chest, trying to get his breath back, as the young student of Yamanouchi stepped out of the trees, almost appearing as if from thin air. The grin on her face indicated just how amusing she thought her actions. The demure girl, dressed in a more conventional manner, blue jeans and a t-shirt, looked completely innocuous and harmless, though that was as far from the truth as possible. With a slight bow, she greeted them.
"Welcome to Yamanouchi, Possible-san. Stoppable-san, I am glad you have returned!"
This set Kim's teeth to grind a little. She remembered the young woman, and remembered that the feelings she had expressed for Ron.
Well, let's take care of this right now!
Taking Ron's hand in her own, she smiled back at Yori. "It's good to see you again."
Yori paused briefly, the smile on her face never changing, though it was made clear. The message had been delivered.
Ron, completely clueless to what had just passed between Kim and Yori, proceeded with the final introductions. "Yori, this is…"
"Oh yes, I am so sorry. It is a great honour to meet you Rockwaller-san!"
This caused Bonnie a bit of surprise, "I'm sorry, have we met before?"
"Apologies, we have been expecting you. Should we head out now?" as Yori sidestepped the question put forth.
Bonnie would have none of that, "Why won't you answer the question?"
The soft sigh escaping Yori lips could barely be heard. "Very well. Sensei is well aware of your abilities, Rockwaller-san. That is why Hirotaka-san was sent to Middleton in the first place, to gauge your abilities and to determine the level of your power."
The look of shock on all their faces was evident, but it was Ron who spoke first. "I thought that whole foreign exchange thing was to get me here?"
"It was, but Sensei also wanted to see how Rockwaller-san was progressing, and Hirotaka-san was the best student for the job, someone who could get close enough without interfering and determine what needed to be known."
At this point, Bonnie had heard more than enough. "You… you… what gives you that right, to do that to me, to treat me like some kind of lab rat? HOW DARE YOU!"
It was all Kim could do to hold her back, as the brunette kept screaming and yelling, trying to reach the young Asian woman. To her credit, Yori never flinched, never reacted, just cast her eyes down to the ground. Finally, after a couple minutes, Bonnie had calmed down enough for Kim to let go.
"I… am sorry to have upset you Rockwaller-san, that was not my intention. Perhaps Sensei might better explain the actions taken."
Kim just kept a hand on Bonnie's shoulder, feeling the tension leaving her. I can understand her not wanting to be spied on like that, but why did she react so violently? It's not like they did anything to her directly.
After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, Ron finally spoke up. "We should get going."
Kim smiled, glad Ron was finally starting to assert himself more. "So, do we have a ride up to the school or what?"
Before Yori could respond, Ron grabbed up his gear. "Yeah, yeah, I know the drill, Yori. It will be our honour to walk, right?"
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It was a beautiful day, warm with just the faintest hint of a breeze causing a rustling in the leaves. The sun shining overheard only punctuated the sense of peace and serenity the mountain itself seemed to invoke in most. The walk, however, was made in mostly uncomfortable silence, punctuated only by the occasional joke from Ron, who was trying his hardest to try and lighten the mood. However, as the climb got steeper, even Ron had to stop talking and focus on the path ahead of them. Every so often, he'd hold Kim's hand, giving it a quick squeeze for support. Trailing behind the two teen heroes, Bonnie saw this, and couldn't help feeling a little jealous.
They do make a good couple. I wish I had someone like that; someone who could just hold my hand and I'd just know everything would be alright.
After another ten minutes of silence, Bonnie, spoke, asking the questions that had been bugging her for some time. "So… Yori… how did you know we were coming? And… uhh… about my abilities?"
"Well, as to the first question, Sensei foretold your coming, and had me meet you at the base of the mountain."
This caused Bonnie to stop, and just stare after the young woman. "You mean this Sensei has visions too?"
Yori paused, gathering her thoughts quickly so as to best explain. "No, not in the manner you mean. The Sensei does not possess the natural gifts you display, but they can be achieved mystically, through great training and discipline. Even then, they are not as… detailed… as the visions that you receive."
Yori turned and resumed walking before speaking again. "As to your second question, Sensei, indeed, all masters of the Yamanouchi School in the last few centuries have tried to help those such as yourself come to terms with what they can do. In ancient times, people with your abilities became chiefs or shamans of their tribes, their powers allowing them to rule wisely and fairly, for the most part. Unfortunately, in the last few centuries, the attitudes of people towards those that are different or gifted have changed. Where once one would become a leader of men, now they are burned at the stake. Where once they might achieve greatness, now they are placed in an asylum. We try to help those in the most danger."
"That still doesn't tell me how you knew what I could do!"
"Ahh… that would be because of Stoppable-san."
"WHAT!"
That single word that escaped from Bonnie's lips, combined with the look of pure shock and fury on her face, forced Ron to react in the best way that he knew in this type of situation. He immediately dove behind Kim, raising his hands to try and placate the angry brunette. "Bonnie, I swear, I have no idea what she's talking about! I only found out what you could do when you told me!"
"Ron, I'm going to…"
"He speaks the truth, Rockwaller-san," Yori interrupted before any damage could be done. "He was not aware, but he is how we found you. While we cannot detect the presence of these abilities directly, being natural in origin, they can cause a fluctuation in nearby magiks that are detectable. In your case, with your level of ability and Stoppable-san's access to mystical power, you shone like a beacon to our locater spells. You are, by far, the most powerful see-er we have seen in decades, if not centuries!"
This gave Bonnie pause, "Wow, that's… wait… did you say magic?"
Ron shrugged his shoulders, looking just a little uncomfortable. "Umm… yeah BonBon. This whole thing with Monkeyfist and some monkey statues and all that." Ron chuckled lightly, "I kinda… exposed myself to it so I could beat him and then the whole thing with the Lotus Blade…"
Bonnie paused yet again, trying to wrap her head around everything she was learning today. Ron has magic? That's… wow. I always knew he was different, I mean, some of the things I've seen him do, but still…I guess it does explain a few things…
Lost in thought, Bonnie never even noticed that she was being spoken to until Kim placed a hand on her shoulder. "Bonnie, are you alright?"
Bonnie jumped a little, and glanced up to see the look of concern on Kim's face. Even after years of being rivals, she can still show concern for me. Bonnie just smiled shyly, "Yeah, I'm fine, no big. It's just a lot to take in at once, you know?"
They stood there like that for a few moments before the brunette spoke again. "You know, we should get up to the school, or we're going to be on this trail all day." With that, the brunette grabbed her gear where she had dropped it, and started trudging up the trail, followed quickly by the others.
None noticed the pair of eyes following them up the mountain.
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Author notes - OK, this chapter went way off where I originally planned, but I thought some explanations were in order for some things. It was also much harder to write piecemeal since I tend to pull off a full chapter in one sitting, while it's flowing (damn work and personal life). Thanks for reviews from;
Daeron Blackoak – I definitely think you'll like where the story goes, and you're pretty close on quite a bit (scarily so so far), but not everything will go as expected. After all, I did make this angst for a reason.
As well as thanks to Mobius97 and ron-sama
Next chapter – Bonnie gets some answers, Ron comes to a realization, and the school prepares!