The athletic redhead walked home deep in thought. After talking with Bonnie, she had realized that she couldn't hide her feelings for her blonde friend for much longer. The other girl had given her some suggestions, but they didn't feel like her. It was still a little weird talking like that with the girl that had been her rival, but she had definitely changed for the better.
She had decided her best course of action with Ron was to talk it over. It was a decision that affected them both, so he should get a say. Kim was still debating the best way to start the conversation when she found the door to her house unlocked. Figuring her brothers must be home, she let it pass. Walking into the living room, she locked eyes with a tall, thin man sitting in her father's chair.
"Monkey Fist, what are you doing here?" she asked, taking a fighting stance.
"I wouldn't if I were you, Ms. Possible," he replied, not moving from his relaxed position. "Not if you want to see your family unharmed."
Horror and fear crossed her face. "What do you want with me?"
"Nothing. You are the bait for Mr. Stoppable."
"He beat you last time. He's only gotten stronger since then," she said defiantly.
"So have I."
The blonde teen stared at the monkey kneeling in the dirt in front of him, proffering a familiar blue device. Knowing his friend was in trouble, he checked for new files and pulled up a video clip as his two companions watched silently over his shoulder.
The image of a tall, hairy man filled the screen. "Ron Stoppable, I will not bore you with inane ranting. You have become a threat to my destiny as Ultimate Monkey Master. This cannot be tolerated. We shall melee for the right of destiny." The video shifted to show Kim hanging by chains against a wall. "To ensure your arrival, I have taken the liberty of inviting Ms. Possible and her family here. Don't take too long or I'll become bored. Mrs. Possible is a very attractive woman. It will be interesting to find out which of the two ladies will be more entertaining," he said with a malicious smile. "I have been considering having an heir." The evil laughter was ended by a map showing the location of the warehouse on the other side of town.
The glint of several objects in the air caught Bonnie's attention, but she was collected into the embrace of the young boy as he protected her from the danger before she could shout a warning. Then she felt a tingle of electricity as both teens were lifted and held by very large and hairy arms, and she heard a staccato as the objects hit something and fell to the ground.
Finally, she was released from both when they felt the attack was over. She stifled a scream when she turned to find a huge black werewolf in dark armor. It and Ron appeared content with whatever they were searching for, and the monster shifted to the more familiar form of Jonathon. "Looks like they cleared out. The keys are in the truck," the man said.
"Thanks. That's less time I have to waste," the blonde boy said.
Bonnie gave him a quick hug and kiss. "Come back safe, hero."
He grinned at her, "I'll be fine. Take care of Rufus for me." With that, Ron ran off to get to the warehouse in time.
The brunette held herself as she watched him go.
The tall man stood in the center of the large room, facing the doorway his guest would enter through. Finally sensing whom he sought, he opened his eyes and curtly scanned the large crates stacked about. His minions were hidden and prepared.
The blonde confidently walked in, still wearing his training uniform, sparing a quick glance to the redheaded figure hanging against the far wall. "I'm here, Monkey Fist. Let Kim's family go."
"I fear not. While I am sure you have every intention of an honorable duel, I cannot trust the Possibles similarly. They are currently unharmed, though."
Ron strode forward, his eyes locked on his opponent. Halfway down the main aisle, the boy stopped to bring his arms out to the sides, clotheslining two monkey ninjas leaping at him from behind. Having never taken his focus off the man before him, he continued forward.
Monkey Fist had expected no less from his rival. He picked up a staff he had previously placed by his feet and prepared himself. The blonde stopped a couple yards from the man and caught the end of the staff coming for his head. Kicking the monkey ninja to fly against a crate, he took a better hold on the weapon. "Still too afraid to fight your own battles?"
Monkey Fist glowered at the boy. "You caught me by surprise last time. Since then, I have taught myself the use of the mystic powers."
"My teacher was better," Ron quipped, launching into an attack.
Kim watched in fear as the two rolled and jumped around each other to strike and dodge. Her friend was holding his own, but there was no telling how long that would last. She struggled in vain against the chains at her wrists and ankles. Warmth and a stranger restlessness suffused her body as she watched the two warriors trade attacks while leaping from crate to crate.
They stood glaring at each other, panting from exertion. "You have indeed improved as a warrior, but I am better," Monkey Fist said.
"Maybe. But I'm smarter." The blonde struck at the man's face and followed immediately with a low strike with the other end of his staff.
The man easily blocked the first strike with his own staff and caught the other with his foot. "Not very smart to me."
Ron smiled. "Wrong foot." He quickly swept Monkey Fist's standing foot as he pushed with his staff. Allowing his staff to fall to the floor below, the man caught the edge of the crate to save himself.
Kicking off, Monkey Fist somersaulted back over the edge to land on the boy, his hands grabbing the staff and his feet gripping the blonde's thighs above the knees. Thinking he had the boy, the man was surprised when they rolled onto the blonde's back; and he was thrown off. His only consolation that the staff had broken when he had tried to keep his hold on it.
Ron tried to press the advantage, but Monkey Fist was quick to recover. The two were closely matched, receiving as much as they gave. Each glimpse of his captive friend drove him on, ignoring the pain and fatigue.
The boy was knocked to the floor again, but this time his body wouldn't move. Monkey Fist limped over, his hair and clothes disheveled and blood seeping from various cuts. The man grabbed the boy's throat and lifted him until his feet didn't touch the ground. "Strength and experience," the man spat. "I claim the victory."
Ron looked past the man to the young girl valiantly trying to free herself. He felt fear and shame as he slowly suffocated. What was the point of all that work if it didn't help Kim. Who would save her family and protect her on missions. There had to be a way. What's the point of being destined to have the power to save the world if it couldn't save his world, to save those you love.
His eyes snapped open, and he grabbed his foe by the wrists. Green energy flared up around him, forming the semblance of a monkey before settling back around the blonde. The form shadowed Ron's movement, creating an afterimage. The boy brought his feet up to repeatedly kick Monkey Fist in the chest, each kick immediately followed by similar kicks by the spectral form.
Monkey Fist released his hold on the boy's throat as he was kicked again, sending both flying several yards. The simian man slowly got up, holding his chest. He was so intent on expressing his rage on his opponent that he did not notice the lithe figure leap over him and send him crashing into a crate with a kick. Confused, he looked at the interloper to see Kim Possible as a monkey again, her tail whipping angrily and the short lengths of chains dangling from the manacles still on her wrists and ankles. Now he could sense the mystic power radiating from her, making her emerald eyes glow.
Looking over at the rising figure of his rival, he saw that the boy had transformed as well. His hair had grown longer with sideburns across his checks, as well as dark blonde hair lightly furring his body. His tail extended from a rip in his pats, swishing slowly.
Wisps of green energy wafted off him like smoke as he approached the man. "It's over, Monkey Fist. You can't beat us, so just give up."
"Never!" he yelled, leaping at the boy. But this time, Ron easily dodged all the attacks, his tail giving him better advantage. His fury was the only thing driving him as he fought against the coordinated attacks of the two teens. It was not long before he was sent flying into a crate unconscious.
The teen heroes looked at each other with concern. "Are you ok?" they asked in unison.
"Jinx, you owe me a soda," Kim quickly said, answered by a groan from Ron.
The blonde handed the young girl her favorite blue device, "Thought you'd want this back."
"Thanks. So, how do we change back?"
"Uh, I'm not sure how we changed in the first place," he said, bemused. "Why don't we worry about that after we've gotten your parents out of here?"
"I can't let anyone see me like this!" she exclaimed in horror. "What are we going to do?"
Kim turned on the Kimmunicator, "Wade, we have a problem."
The young black boy took a look at the girl. "How did you become a monkey again?"
"We don't know. Can you use that energy beam again?" she asked hopefully.
"It's hard to say, Kim. The time frame for the amulet is over. And it may do more damage. We need to find an expert in mystical artifacts. Let me do some research."
"No need," the blonde teen interrupted. "Mr. Wolf probably has more practical knowledge, and he should be able to figure out how to transform us back, too."
"Good idea," Kim said, excitedly. "Wade, call the police to pick-up Monkey Fist and release my parents. Please and thank you." Signing off, the two left for the nature preserve.
"So, what do you thing?" Ron asked after explaining everything. They had already confirmed that Monkey Fist was in custody, and Kim's parents were at home and unharmed. Bonnie had returned to her home after dropping off Rufus at Ron's house. She had sounded very relieved to hear everything was fine.
Jonathon looked thoughtful. "You should be easy, Mr. Stoppable. The new form is a manifestation of your power. Simply meditate about drawing the power within or removing clothing. Once you've figured that out, you'll need to train to control the transformation at will." Looking at Kim, "Ms. Possible is a different story. I'm not even sure her original form is attainable. Allow me the use of your communications device so that I can perform some research and speak with Wade."
Handing the device to the man, "Is there any hope, sir?"
The man looked into her pleading eyes. "Of course. There is always hope as long as one fights."
The teens sat quietly on the porch. Kim wrapped her arms around her knees as she watched Ron meditating. After a while, the blonde opened his eyes again, unchanged."
"No luck?" she asked.
"I can do it, but I figured I'd wait until you could change."
She gave him a weak smile. "Thanks. I hope he finds a solution soon."
He gave her a small hug. "Everything will be fine. And think how much easier it'll be fighting with the new strength and agility."
"Ron," she exclaimed, exasperated. "This isn't something to joke about. How are you going to love a freak like me?"
He looked at her with confusion, "Love?"
Kim blushed and covered her mouth with her hands. "I was going to talk to you about it," she finally said. "I just didn't want it to be like this."
"C'mon, Kim. Why wouldn't I love you?"
"I'm a monkey, Ron! It's sick and wrong," she said looking away.
Ron held her chin to look her in the eyes. "You're still the same KP that has been my friend forever. I'd love you no matter what you look like," said before gently kissing her.
Kim was surprised by the kiss, but she soon melted into him. Bonnie hadn't been exaggerating about how good he was. She put her arms around his neck, feeling her fear of losing him leave her. "You are an amazing guy," she said softly as she gazed into his eyes.
"And you're not a monkey anymore," he replied.
She looked at herself and patted herself down. She blushed when she found the tear in the back of her pants. "How did this happen?"
"You're not unsettled anymore," said a deep voice from the nearby doorway.
"You guys figured it out?" she asked the man.
Jonathon nodded. "Turns out the hair Wade used before consisted of both normal hair and tainted hair. This, combined with the partial incompatibility of magic and science, caused the transformation to become unstable. Had magic been used, you would be fine. As it is, the monkey form was repressed until something triggered it. My guess would be your desire to help Mr. Stoppable and his ascension from wishing to help you."
"Does that mean I could change again?" she asked worriedly.
"Yes, but you should be able to learn to control it and change at will. It does mean you both have a great deal of training ahead of you to use your power effectively."
Kim looked at Ron. "I think we've got a few things to work out first."
"I'll say," the man said. "I still can't believe you wasted all that time on the fight when you could have summoned the Lotus Blade to you."
The blonde stared at the tall man. "I could have done that?"
Jonathon put his hand to his face in disgust and walked away without a word.
"Ron, what's the Lotus Blade?" Kim asked in confusion.
"I'll tell ya later. You're right. We need to talk to Bonnie about us. I don't know how she's going to take this," he said, concerned.
A/NThanks for more good reviews. I apologize for the longer than usual update time. Some things came up, and I just couldn't get the story to feel right to me. I still feel a few things could have been better, but I think it turned out well. Finally got to put out one of my twists. The next chapter has one more twist and will end the story. I've still got a thing or two to work out in my head. In the meantime, I'm working on a second chapter to "Rainstorm Beginnings." Hopefully, I won't take too long with either.