Kim and Monkey Fist stare each other down for a few moments with an intensity that ripples through the alcove.

"Are we going to fight or just stare into each other's eyes, in which case I'm already the loser," Kim exclaims.

"As much as I would love to bring it, I have an ultimatum that I believe you won't refuse."

"If it's along the lines of surrender or else, then dream on."

"Oh, but my dreams are so close to coming true. All I need is that prism hidden in this temple and I will become the monkey ruler of this world. Of course there are two annoying obstacles standing in my way, you and that goof you call a sidekick."

"Last time I heard Ron wiped the floor with you during that whole Lotus Blade incident."

"To be fair, he had a whole ninja school as his back up."

"Is that any different than you having your monkey posse?"

"Quite. I didn't have the advantage, unlike now. I trust you noticed my little work force digging away."

"You used that mask to control their minds and forced them to dig up this place in order to find that prism."

"As long as I possess the mask of Gauduelme, those mindless automatons obey my ever command, even the command of destroying one another."

"You wouldn't."

"That all depends on you. Your surrender might persuade me to reconsider such a horrid idea. They do follow my commands to the letter and with all those sharp pick axes and shovels in their possession things might get awfully messy very quickly."

Monkey Fist throws a sinister smile at Kim to let him know how serious he is. Kim slowly lowers her hands and relaxes her stance all the while never looking away from Monkey Fist. Seeing her surrender, an air of triumph forms on his wicked smile as he places the torch in his hand into a nearby holder attached to the wall. With his now freed hand, Monkey Fist snaps his fingers and two of his monkey ninjas step up holding a set of shackles and chains. They quickly make their way to Kim and shackle her hands. She offers no resistance but never takes her eyes off Monkey Fist and shows him a look of defiance as the monkey ninjas complete their task. Still smiling, Monkey Fist walks on his knuckles and feet down a passageway partially hidden in the shadows just to the left of the alter. His monkey ninjas soon follow him including the two who shackled Kim. These two pull on the chains attached to Kim's shackles and reluctantly she follows them out of the alter area and into the passageway.

Ron, with Rufus riding in his pocket, stops running, breathless and panting, a little less than a tenth of a mile from the temple's entrance and hunches over until his hands are over his knees. Rufus pokes his head out and sees the exhausted expression of Ron. He quickly climbs up to Ron shoulder, opens his backpack, removes Ron's canteen, and hands it to Ron, who quickly snatches it from Rufus.

"Thanks (pant) Ru (pant) fus (pant)."

Ron fumbles with the cap, but manages to get it off and chugs down the water. Still catching his breath, Ron looks behind him to see if the guards remain close behind. Rufus, alert and ever vigilant, surveys the other directions for any hostile signs. Both find nothing but quiet vegetation and a worn down dirt path. A weary smile forms on Ron's face as he places Rufus in his hand and looks him in the eye.

"I may regret saying this but I think we lost them," says Ron.

Suddenly, from the tree tops, the five monkey ninjas land in a circle of highly trained fur and surround Ron and Rufus. Each one performing several ninja moves of preparation as each assumesits fighting stance. All lock their eyes on the intruder and their enemy. A look of annoyance fills Ron's face as Rufus crosses his arms and stares unhappily at him.

"I just had to say didn't I?'

"Yeah," responds Rufus. He jumps down from Ron's hand and moves behind Ron to face two monkey ninjas. Ron places his canteen into his backpack and, facing the other three, performs several kung fu moves before assuming an attack stance while Rufus does the same.

Ron, in a confident, cool manner, "Who wants some?"

One of the monkey ninjas launches itself toward Ron, twirling in the air until it straightens one leg and aims it at Ron. Ron sidesteps this attack and the monkey flies pass him at chest level until Ron grabs its tail, halting the ninja's inertia. Instantaneously, Ron, using the tail, swings the monkey over his head and hammers one of Rufus's monkeys over the head with it. The two unconscious monkeys lie in a pile, one on top of the other. Rufus' remaining monkey begins his attack by throwing chops and punches at Rufus, who easily evades them by hopping and jumping out of their way until Rufus lands in the correct position and performs a rainbow kick right on the attacker's chin. Due to the force, the monkey backflips head over heels and lands hard on the dirt path. It remains motionless. The last two monkeys surround Ron and cautiously circle him as they match each other's movements making sure they remain on either side of him. Suddenly, they simultaneously attack. Both launch themselves at Ron and attempt to hit flying jump kicks. Ron ducks as the two monkeys collide with each other in mid-air above him and fall in an unconscious heap in front of Ron with their limbs entangled around each other's body. The triumphant duo soak in their victory as they survey the carnage around them.

Ron gives a victorious exclamation while throwing his fist in the air. "Booyah!"

Rufus exclaims the same victory cry, "Booyah!"

"Come on Rufus, let's meet up with Kim."

"Ah-huh!"

Ron picks up Rufus and begins to jog back to the temple when he suddenly trips and falls flat on his face while Rufus, tossed in the air, lands on top of Ron's head. Ron looks down and sees that his pants have once again fall down to his ankles. Rufus hops off Ron's head as Ron pulls himself off the ground and pulls up his pants.

Ron looks down at Rufus. "Not a word, not one word."

Rufus just rolls his eyes, climbs up Ron's leg and hops into Ron's pant pocket. Once again Ron begins his journey back to the temple and to Kim.