Author goes back on his word (what a guy!): So I said I wouldn't let a week go by and what happens? Several things came up and then I was seized by one of the worst cases of writer's block ever… Anyway, I think these chapters will have to come once a week for awhile. Just too busy right now.
Semi-historical notes: There are quite a few elements of Japanese mythology mixed in with the KP characters and some of my own invention. Hidesato (pronounced 'Hee-day-saw-toe' but very rapidly) and Kintaro are an actual father/son pair of heroes from Japanese mythology. The Koji and Kappa are also Japanese mythological monsters, though I enhanced them with monkey-like features. The Kappa, in fact, are the original inspiration for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In addition, Japanese Mythology also has a story about the legendary Zuijen warriors; archers who once saved Japan from destruction. The dragons are my invention, as are Ishigawa and all those that aren't KP characters. But I thought you might want some useless trivia to start off the chapter.
As it stands, this story has five chapters left, including the obligatory epilogue.
Story highlight: MrDrP's story "Epic Sitch" is basically a fourth season of KP with an ongoing story arc. It's excellent, and, in my opinion, vastly under-reviewed. Go read it and tell him what you think.
Thanks to all who are reading
Very grateful thanks to the reviewers, many of whom have reviewed since chapter one, I can't tell you how much all yourcomments still mean to me. Frankly, they're the reason I'm still writing this story: Mattb3671, Zaratan, MrDrP, LKillingsworth, Nyberger13, Dreammergurl2007, kpultimatefan, Pseudo Juliet, JPMod, demon-sword, Sestren NK, Recon228, JonathanWolf, Angel of the Flames, Lydia King, Happy-Raven, Mobius97, Porphyria-Kris, Porphyria-Kris, Spooks-a-lot, Widow Shark, and WesUAH.
The battle rages on…
XIX
Ishigawa was a cautious man. Ever mindful of the possibility that Monkey Fist's erratic behavior might spill over into the battlefield, he had ordered his cavalry to take one extra man each on horseback the night before and position themselves in the woods to the south.
As soon as Monkey Fist left, he and his Daimyo, a sniveling little man by the name of Momoye, rode hard for the southern position where twenty thousand cavalry waited with an additional twenty thousand foot soldiers. Normally, Ishigawa would have his foot soldiers charge in first and then send the cavalry to mop up. But as Hidesato soon discovered, his target wasn't the ridge top.
"He means to take the castle!" Lord Hidesato spoke aloud what everyone around him was thinking.
"Recall our forces," Masaharu shouted to the signal bearer as he wheeled his horse around, "Have the Zuijen reposition themselves defensively and prepare for an attack from the south."
"Disregard that command," Hidesato said grimly to the signal bearer, the flags were just being unfurled, but now they were lowered.
"My lord?" Masaharu asked, somewhat confused.
"If we recall our forces now, the enemy on the opposite ridge may perceive a retreat on our part. They would assuredly regroup and attack, putting us between them and Ishigawa's cavalry on our flank." Hidesato explained through clenched teeth, "We must allow our forces to continue to advance as far into the enemy lines as possible. I had not expected even Ishigawa to pull such a trick as this. He does not fight with honor, choosing rather to attack those who are helpless in the castle."
"Then we will not surrender, my lord?" Masaharu and his master had discussed a plan of surrender after a certain amount of time had passed, intending to spare any of Hidesato's loyal soldiers from dying needlessly. But now…
"We will not," Hidesato confirmed, "If Ishigawa will not face me directly, then I will not give him the satisfaction of an easy victory. Begin strategically withdrawing our forces to the north. We will camp in the high country and decide how we might best sustain a campaign against Ishigawa… and his monkey demon friend."
"Wakarimas!" Masaharu said almost joyfully. He preferred to die fighting beside his friend than surrender to a power-hungry little man like Ishigawa. He turned to the signal bearer, "Order the southern most units to shift position to the northern ends of our lines. Do this two units at a time every quarter hour. Once each unit is repositioned, they are to re-engage the enemy. Notify me when the last of them have been relocated."
The signal bearer acknowledged and bowed low. Hidesato and Masaharu turned their eyes to the castle.
The rumble of hooves reached their ears as they helplessly watched the cavalry charge. They were even out of range of the archers. Hidesato silently cursed himself for not ordering the castle into a defensive status. The front gates were wide open. Hidesato had expected to lose the battle and thus surrender the castle upon its conclusion. So sure were he and the rest of his warriors of impending defeat that no one thought it odd that he did not order the main gate to be shut.
Ishigawa was enraged by the prospect of the lost battle, and originally had intended to simply attack Hidesato from behind, but the thought occurred to him that his opponent might have additional surprises waiting for him. Who knows what other strange warriors there were on that ridge. Someone who could cause the sky to fall upon them or the earth to shake perhaps?
On the other hand, taking the castle would give him a strategic advantage and cut off any chance for Hidesato to withdraw to a potential base of supply. If Ishigawa took Mutsu castle, then he could claim Mutsu province as his, and convince the people that Hidesato was conquered.
No one in the castle expected such an attack, and no one even thought of closing the main gates until cavalry began thundering across the bridge and into the courtyard. Worst of all, there were no soldiers within the castle to defend it. All had marched out that morning to what they thought was their inevitable defeat.
Kim, Veronica and Shego watched, frozen in horror, as hundreds of riders poured across the bridge and into the castle unchallenged. This could mean only one thing.
The battle was lost.
Which meant Ron was very likely… no, Kim pushed those thoughts away. She had a mission, and now they had to decide how best to go about accomplishing it.
They had stood on the wall, listening to the din of battle as it drifted over the ridge and down to them. They could see nothing of the actual battle, of course, but when the horse soldiers charged down the slope and into the castle walls, everyone within knew what this meant.
But where was Monkey Fist?
Kim had been expecting some of the monkey creatures to assist in the taking of the castle, but could see none.
"We need to get out of sight," Shego warned.
"Where is the one called Fist of Monkey?" Kim asked a woman who was rushing by.
The woman bowed and explained to Kim that she did not know.
"This is all wrong," Veronica said after Kim had translated, "These people weren't expecting an attack on the castle. Something's different."
"Whatever it is, we can talk about it elsewhere," Shego said insistently, "Pretty soon those soldiers are going to come looking for us."
"No," Kim countermanded, "We fight, and when we're captured, we demand to be taken to Monkey Fist."
"IF we're captured, and IF they comply with our demands," Shego said dryly.
Kim ignored Shego and continued to gaze out over the wall, looking for any sign of Monkey Fist.
"Mother," Veronica said, timidly but firmly, "I think Shego's right."
"What?" Kim threw a glare at her daughter.
"We should get out of sight." Veronica said in a tremulous voice, "If Monkey Fist comes, then we can maybe spring out of hiding and destroy the idol. But if he doesn't, then we'd be much worse off as prisoners than we would be in hiding."
Kim continued to glaze at her daughter, though in the corner of her eye, she could see Shego on the other side of Veronica with a smug look on her face.
Kim thought for a moment, and realized Veronica was right, though she didn't exactly want to acquiesce with Shego looking on. Pride had to be swallowed, and Kim realized she'd already learned a painful lesson in swallowing pride some days ago.
She nodded, "All right. We'll see if we can find a place to lay low."
Shego smirked, "See Kimmie, it's not so hard to admit when you're wro-"
"I agreed with you because you're right," Veronica whirled around and cut her off, "But that doesn't mean I'm siding with you."
"My, my," Shego said, raising an amused eyebrow, "The Princess' Princess seems to be growing a spine."
"Knock it off, Shego," Kim snapped and began moving away from the wall, "Let's get ourselves into hiding."
They hurried into a nearby corridor and were met with the sounds of screams, and metal clashing on metal from somewhere around a corner. The old warriors of the castle were making a last stand. And though they didn't need to, Ishigawa's soldiers were fighting them as though they were fighting battle-hardened soldiers in their prime.
The women hurried off in the opposite direction of the noises, and into the deeper recesses of the fortress.
"Maybe you could ask someone where a good hiding place might be." Veronica suggested to her mother.
Kim tried to ask several passers by where they might find a hiding place, but their responses were gibbered in hysterical panic. Rumor was beginning to spread through the castle that Ishigawa was summarily executing anyone who resisted.
Finally, Kim caught a word she recognized and an idea came to her.
"The baths," She said, turning to the others.
Shego groaned.
"No," Kim insisted, "It's a good place to hide, for several reasons. None of which I have the time to go into right now."
"I promised myself I would never go back down there. Especially after what the buffoon saw." Shego protested.
"Fine," Veronica said, shrugging her shoulders, "Stay here. Which way to the baths, mother?"
"It's down this way," Kim said and took off at a brisk walk.
Shego stood there glaring at them with her hands on her hips for a few seconds. Then went off after them, calling "Are you sure you heard 'baths'? Maybe your Japanese isn't as good as you think it is!"
"Forgive me, but what did you say?" Kintaro looked at Kim in wonder.
Kim was somewhat stunned herself, and didn't really know how to respond. The entire group had come to a halt, and all eyes were on her.
"I…" she stammered, "I was just curious as to how far until we reach the castle."
"I realize this," Yori replied, "But you just asked Kintaro that question in Japanese."
"Yeah," Kim said in English, "I guess I did, didn't I?"
It had been three days since Drakken and Shego's arrival, and they had spent most of that time on the move. As they journeyed, they explored some of the properties of the Ohana Blades and just exactly what they could do. Kim found she could mentally catalogue all kinds of necessary information in her mind thanks to the help of the Magnolia Blades. She took note of each Blade's powers, and began to come up with the possibilities on how they could use them. Kim was convinced she would stumble upon the secret of the Ohana Wraith in this manner.
They hiked, and in turn, each of the Stoppables would try using their Blades and the respective powers they contained on a rock or a tree they passed.
One by one, they each learned of some of the powers their Blades contained. Though, when asked how he brought out the giant Lotus power during the fight against Deathray, Ron was unable to recall, saying it just sort of came to him. Kim believed the other Blades had similar powers, and they would reveal themselves to their wielders at the proper time.
The journey seemed slow going. Kintaro was compelled to stay off any traveled roads or trails so as to avoid any populated areas. Being seen by anyone would be a disaster as inevitably rumor would fly about the strangers, their weapons, and their whereabouts.
Drakken was proving to be a bit of an annoying traveling companion. Often he would helpfully suggest what could be done with each of the Ohana Blades, but just as often, he would complain about the heat, or the bugs, or the long daily "death marches" as he called them. Of course, Ron suggested Drakken take off his heavy outer coat to help deal with the heat problem.
Drakken looked at him as though he had lobsters crawling out of his ears.
"I never take off this coat," he said indignantly.
"I'm thinking there must be times when you do," Ron looked over at Kimono, "Or will at some point in the future."
Kimono gave Ron a sardonic look, "Ron Stoppable, you think you're all that. But you're not."
Drakken grinned at his daughter, "Excellent delivery, my dear."
"Thanks, Daddy," Kimono replied with a smile, "But he's right, you would feel cooler if you took off the coat."
"Forget it," Shego sulked. She'd pretty much kept to herself for the last three days. While Veronica and Yori volunteered to give up their tent to Drakken and Shego, Shego decided she'd sleep outside with the others, leaving Drakken in the tent by himself. "He never takes off that coat; not for any-"
And, of course, he was in the process of removing it while she talked. Shego could not believe how much Kimono had her father wrapped around her finger.
In the last three days Shego had some time to contemplate her existence as a clone and decided there wasn't much she could do about it. But she did leave Kimono alone at least. Let them have their little family thing without her. Maybe she had some sort of loyalty protocol instilled within her, but there were ways of removing such things.
Shego had some experience in that.
Then she'd just head out on her own. Drakken could thaw out another clone and live happily ever after with her. Who knows? Maybe Shego would return from time to time and kidnap her own clones, just to make life miserable for Drew.
"Ah yes," Drakken acknowledged once his coat was off, "That is much better. Thank you, Kimono."
"Hey!" Ron protested, "It was my idea. Kimono just-… Dude! You don't wear a shirt under that coat?"
The others were already staring at the bare-chested, blue-skinned man.
"I'm sorry," Drakken said sarcastically, "You're giving me fashion advice now?"
"I…it… that's just weird." Ron concluded.
"Hey," Drakken's turn to protest, "I don't criticize you for your wardrobe choices, Mr. Came To Ancient Japan In His Black Pajamas."
"It's a ninja outfit and you know it," Ron snapped.
"Doesn't look like any ninja outfit I ever saw," Drakken observed, "It's all skin tight and pajama-y."
"Well," Ron said primly, "Maybe you haven't been keeping up with the latest trends, but this is what all the ninjas are wearing in the twenty-first century."
"Any chance we could get back to the subject at hand?" Kim interjected.
"Yes," Ron acknowledged," Uh… what was the subject at hand?"
"You were about to explain just how the mystical monkey power works. Specifically, how do we tap into the Monkey Kung Fu if we possess it?" Kim reminded him. "You used to say it 'comes and goes'."
"Yeah," Ron said wistfully, "Though it rarely came. In fact, in those days the mystical monkey power would show up about as often as Wade left his room."
"And you told us Wade didn't even leave his room until that time he went to break up Ray Beam's wedding to that clone of mom." TJ put in.
"Right," Ron nodded in agreement.
"Wait a minute," Kim interjected, "That wasn't the only time Wade left his room."
"It wasn't?" Ron asked, confused.
"Don't you remember that time we took down Team Impossible and convinced them to join up with Global Justice?" Kim prodded.
"Yeah," Ron acknowledged, "And…?"
"And… Wade showed up at their headquarters because they spiked his system, fried everything he had." Kim continued. "He blew a hole in their wall and activated a laser security net!"
Ron scratched his head and looked around, "How come I don't remember that?"
"Maybe it's your memory that comes and goes." Kimono observed dryly.
"Anyway, mystical monkey power…" Kim said again, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, right," Ron corrected himself, "OK, yeah. Well, that was back in high school when I didn't actually have any formal training in Tai Xing Pek Wah. But Sensei explained it all to me during my time at Yamanuchi."
Ron had a nostalgic look in his eye. The others waited for him to continue.
"It's kind of hard to put into words," Ron began, "You really can't turn on the monkey power like you're flipping on a light switch. It's more about letting go and allowing the power to just kid of direct your actions."
"It takes control of you?" TJ asked.
"No, not exactly," Ron answered, "I guess the best way to put it is that it influences you. It helps you make decisions you might not normally make, and it gives you abilities you might not otherwise have."
"How does it work?" Veronica asked.
"It's kind of based on a principle of erratic behavior," Ron explained, "You know how monkeys often change behavior abruptly, or move in seemingly unpredictable ways? It's kind of like that. For example, if you're in a fight and you engage in a series of moves against your opponent, at some point your next move will be planned out. If your opponent moves against you with a Snake-style maneuver, then such things are typically countered with a Crane block. But, what if instead of the expected Crane move, you counter with a completely radical style, like Eagle Claw, or Bear Hold?"
"Something your opponent wouldn't expect." Kim said nodding.
"Exactly," Ron confirmed, "In fact, the monkey power even gives you the ability to change styles in the middle of a maneuver. You might start with a Snake strike, and switch to a Mantis move even as you're beginning the Snake strike."
"Fusion!" TJ observed excitedly, "Even if your opponent is a master in multiple fighting styles he wouldn't be so readily able to counter a move that he did not see coming. He expects a Crane block, but you actually counter with something else, something completely unexpected, like a Drunken Boxing move."
"Right," Ron confirmed, "In addition, mystical monkey power will give you knowledge on moves you didn't even know existed. Best I can tell they're a combination of styles intended to throw off your opponent and keep him from guessing which move you're going to use next."
"OK," Kimono said, "I can see that. But what does it have to do with these swords?"
Ron shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know the connection between Monkey Kung Fu and the… what did Kintaro call them? The Ohana Blades… I don't know how they affect each other."
"But if it holds true that the mystical monkey power would influence your fighting style, it might be the same with combat involving weapons." Kim theorized.
"Maybe," Ron said agreeably, "That does make a lot of sense. One thing we do know for sure, you have to have the mystical monkey power in order to use the Blades to their full potential, and the only other people besides us who have this power are Sensei and Monkey Fist."
"Uh…OK," TJ said with a puzzled look on his face, "So we need to keep these away from Monkey Fist, while at the same time, get to Monkey Fist and get his Time thingy away from him."
"You make it sound so simple," Kimono gave her husband a playful elbow in the ribs.
"Well, you know," TJ said with a grin, "I didn't want it to sound like something complicated or impossible, like, say, marriage to you."
"Nice," Kimono said in an impressed voice, "Way to turn that one back on me. Of course, it means you're sleeping outside the tent tonight."
"Hey," TJ said in a mock threatening tone, "If you make me sleep outside, I'll tell my Dad about the crush you have on him."
Kimono gasped and looked mortified.
Ron's eyes widened and he turned a deep red.
Shego snorted, while Kim and Veronica tried to hide their own laughter.
TJ rolled his eyes and looked up into the sky, "Nice goin' Stoppable. Looks like I really am going to be sleeping outside."
"For several nights," Kimono confirmed coldly, "Veronica, there's a free space in my tent if you want it."
They walked in silence the rest of the afternoon, but for Yori and Kintaro, who continued to speak quietly to each other.
That night TJ did sleep outside. But just that one night. He apologized in the morning.
Had their mission not been such a dire one, most of the party would have enjoyed their journey. They camped beside pristine lakes or fresh streams, sometimes in open meadows with the stars blazing at night, or in a cozy glen or sheltered rock. They would gather around the fire and talk quietly to each other until the day's fatigue overtook them and they went to bed one by one.
They ate mostly fish and such fruit as they could gather. Sometimes Kintaro would walk alone to a nearby farm and acquire some milk or eggs, or rice. Eggs were rare, though, and the milk was mostly from goats.
Still, there was something cleansing about the whole experience. Every day they breathed in pure, unpolluted air and survived on a simple diet. Even Drakken's complaints began to lessen. His coat came back on the further north they traveled.
Such experiences inevitably change people, and each member of the party were going through their own subtle, inner transformations.
Drakken's time with Kimono really began to soften his harder, more annoying edges. He was quite taken with her. And spent a great deal of time with her, though he also tried to give his daughter and son-in law their space. He wasn't sure whether he liked TJ or not, since he was the son of his arch foe. But Kimono clearly loved him, and if she was happy, then he was happy for her.
Kim and Ron took many opportunities to be alone, not necessarily to do anything that required privacy, but rather wanted to make up for so much time spent apart while Ron was trapped in Apollyon's simulation, and then hurled into the future.
This they would sometimes do late in the evening just before everyone turned in for the night, or early in the morning before everyone ate breakfast. Through Yori, they promised Kintaro they wouldn't wander too far. Indeed, they merely went out a small distance from everyone else just to be alone together. They talked, laughed, held hands, and once or twice – after going a little distance further out - made love. They were both glad to get to know their children, but were also glad to realize that the most important person in the world to them was still each other. Though they didn't think it was possible, Kim and Ron fell even more deeply in love with each other, and relished even the few minutes they could get alone together.
Shego still kept mostly to herself. She sulked a little less, but only a little. She was still trying to accept the fact that she wasn't the real Shego, as much as she believed she was, and began to harbor a bitterness toward Drakken for what he'd done.
Kimono enjoyed the time spent with her father. This was not the older, mellower Drakken she knew growing up. This Drakken still had that I-want-to-take-over-the-world gleam in his eye. Kimono's heart ached for her mother. She wanted to reach out to Shego, but each time she did, was turned away. But still she could feel her mother's loneliness. And, for reasons she couldn't explain, it actually made her appreciate TJ that much more. On occasion, they too would wander off to spend time alone with each other.
TJ was just happy being TJ. He was glad to be able to spend more time with his dad, after thinking they would be parting company the night Wade called. He was happy to see his mother so young and so full of strength and life. And he was happy to be married to such a beautiful, vibrant woman. The timeline may have disappeared and everyone they knew was gone, but TJ was just glad to be alive.
Yori found herself pulled in two directions. Unwilling to let go of the torch she had for Ron, yet becoming more and more interested in Kintaro. The worst part for her was knowing there was no future for her with either man, and she felt very sorry for herself because of this. That first time Ron came to her and asked her to tell Kintaro that he and Kim were going for a walk, she felt such a twinge of jealous sadness that she almost didn't tell Kintaro anything. She didn't want Ron to get into any kind of trouble, necessarily, but as is often the case with unrequited love, Yori wasn't quite thinking rationally. She felt that if she could somehow prevent Ron and Kim from spending time together, maybe they would drift apart, and maybe there would be an opening for her to… Realizing the futility of such thoughts, Yori finally did tell Kintaro the truth, then went off by herself to shed quiet tears alone.
Kintaro was apprehensive about seeing his father for the first time in two years. The Yamanuchi school was far away and Hidesato had a province to run, and thus did not get an occasion to come visit his son. He hoped he would be able to please the old warrior. In the meantime, he tried his best to get to know Yori and was very interested to hear of all the things she had to tell about her own time. Chariots that moved under their own power, despite the fact that such power was called 'horse', the chariots were not pulled by them. Candles encased in glass that burned without ever blowing out or using up all their wicks. A box with a face of glass that allowed you to watch all sorts of theatrical productions. Kintaro wondered if these boxes would let you watch Noh or Kabuki… or even both. That would be a wonder to behold.
But perhaps the biggest change seemed to come over Veronica. In the space of three days, much of her timidity and shyness began to fade. She took to wearing her shoulder-length hair in a pony tail like her mother's (though it was much shorter) and she seemed to have a strange look in her eye. On the morning of the third day, Kim finally asked her about it.
"I don't really know," Veronica responded, "There's something about this place."
"The woods? Or Japan?"
"Japan, I guess… I don't know. I've never been to this country before."
"This is a heck of a first visit," Kim observed with a chuckle.
"Yeah," Veronica said with a smile, "But what I meant was, there's something about this place that feels like… I don't know… home I guess."
"Home?"
"Yeah, but not like the house on the bluff, I mean home, like a place where your heart lives, or your soul…or whatever, I don't know what I'm trying to say."
"You like it here." Kim observed.
"Oh yeah," Veronica responded emphatically, "That's definitely part of it. I wish I could stay here."
Kim looked at her daughter who was looking all about them. She had a far away gleam in her eye.
"Makes sense," Kim speculated, "This is about as far away from Ray Beam as you can get."
"Maybe" Veronica allowed, "But it's more than that. I don't know… I guess I'm not making much sense."
"It's all right," Kim assured her, "I think you'll figure it out. Just promise me you'll tell me all about it when you do."
Veronica smiled at her mother, "I promise."
And so it was on the evening of the third day that Kintaro began to look for a good spot to camp for the night. Wondering just how much further it was to Mutsu province, Kim asked Kintaro the question directly.
"Forgive me," Kintaro said, stopping and turning to look at her, "But what did you say?"
"I…" she stammered, "I was just curious as to how far it is until we reach the castle."
"But you just asked Kintaro that question in Japanese." Yori said with some amazement in her voice.
"Yeah," Kim said in English, "I guess I did, didn't I?"
Kintaro looked at her and spoke, "Do you understand what I am saying?"
"Hai." Kim replied, perplexed.
Ron looked at her, "I didn't know you could-"
"I can't," Kim interjected, "Or, at least I couldn't."
"But you've been hearing almost nothing but Japanese since you arrived," Kimono put in, "And I think you've had some help from those Blades on your back."
"I guess so," Kim said doubtfully, "But would they help me pick up an entire language in only a week or so?"
"Perhaps," Yori suggested quietly, "They would if you have been hearing our conversation, as well as everything you've heard since you acquired the Magnolia Blades."
Kim held up her hands in protest, "I haven't been trying to eaves drop."
"Of course not," Yori said respectfully, "But your ears have been hearing what we say, and whether or not you have been paying attention, the Magnolia Blades have helped your mind to do so."
Yori quietly repeated everything to Kintaro who seemed to be nodding. Kintaro spoke a few words to Kim but she didn't understand most of what he said, and told Yori as much.
"Kintaro-san has recited part of an ancient poem. He did this deliberately because it contains mostly words not heard in conversational Japanese." Yori informed Kim. "It seems you have begun to understand some parts of our language with the assistance of the Magnolia Blades."
Our language, Kim noted mentally. Out loud she said, "It seems you're right."
"On our first encounter with DNAmy, she had a collection of Cuddlebuddies that included a limited edition Pandaroo," Ron said, "What was the production number on the tag?"
"Four one seven one four," Kim blurted out before she even realized she could remember it, "I barely glanced at the tag… and that was, like twelve years ago!"
"We should call these things the Einstein Blades," TJ quipped.
Kintaro looked up at the deepening twilight, "I think we shall make our encampment over there for the night."
That afternoon, they had come to a long, narrow lake that ran east/west. Near the western end of the lake was a village, and Kintaro didn't want to risk being spotted, so they spent several hours walking eastward. It was evening before they were able to turn north again, and Kintaro decided they would spend the night at this end of the lake and continue on in the morning. He knew of a farm not too far to the northwest and decided to go and try to acquire some food. Yori decided to go with him.
As they walked away, Kintaro turned and called out to Kim, "The answer to your earlier question is: the day after tomorrow. We should arrive at my father's house around mid-morning."
"Domo!" Kim called out to him.
"You're welcome!" he replied with a smile.
Dinner that evening was goat cheese, rice balls wrapped in seaweed, and a fresh fish or two.
The next morning, Ron Stoppable got up with the sun - thanks to a bladder that had reached critical mass - and discovered his wife was already up.
And she was cooking.
"What happened?" Ron asked frantically, "Is Kintaro dead? Did something happen to Kintaro?"
"No!" Kim said, shocked, "Why would you say something like that?"
"Well," Ron eyed her suspiciously, "I mean…you're… you're cooking."
Kim stood up from where she was crouching by the fire and glared at her husband, "I think I can handle breakfast."
"Kim!" Ron said with an urgent tone in his voice, "You can't make a bowl of cereal without burning down the kitchen."
"All right, Mr. Stoppable, just for that you-"
"Hey!" Kimono poked her bleary-eyed head out of the tent, "What's with all the noise?"
"Kim's cooking breakfast." Ron said, the fear in his voice palpable.
"Did something happen to Kintaro?" Kimono asked in a horrified voice, "Is he dead?"
"Oh, please…" Kim said rolling her eyes, "Not you, too."
"Some of us are trying to sleep," Came TJ's grumpy voice from within the tent.
Kimono looked behind her, "Your mom's cooking breakfast."
There was a scuffling noise as TJ suddenly came scrambling out, "Kintaro's dead? When did this happen?"
"Hey!" Kim said indignantly.
"She claims Kintaro's fine," Ron said unconvincingly, "And that she can handle breakfast. Close quote."
At that moment, Veronica came strolling into camp, "I just had the loveliest walk. You guys should-… what happened?"
"Mom's cooking breakfast!" TJ said in alarm.
"Was Kintaro killed last night?" Veronica asked in shock.
"Aaarrgh!" Kim growled.
"It's OK, Mom", TJ said frantically, "I'll call for help!"
"I don't need any-" Kim began.
TJ cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed out over the lake, "I SUMMON THE IRON CHEF!"
"Now that's enough-" Kim said pointing at her son.
"SAVE US MORIMOTO-SAN!" Ron contributed with a grin.
"OK!" Kim finally shouted, "We get the point!"
Kintaro and Yori, who had gone back to the nearby farm in search of breakfast items, came running into camp.
"What is happening?" Yori asked in alarm, "We heard shouting."
"He's alive!" TJ cried out with much fanfare, "Kintaro's alive!"
Kintaro was somewhat surprised to find the orange-haired man embracing him.
"Some of us are still attempting to sleep!" Drakken growled from inside his tent.
"You might want to get up, Dr. D." Ron called toward his tent, "Your arch foe has made you breakfast."
"Splendid," Drakken declared sarcastically, "Have her bring it to my tent in half an hour."
Kim had actually made an excellent breakfast thanks to her Magnolia Blade assisted observances of Kintaro's meal-preparing skills. And those in her family who knew Kim wasn't much of a cook made a point of telling her just how much they liked what she'd made. Though it was pretty much the same breakfast they'd had for days, the Stoppables were fairly surprised that she managed to pull it off.
Drakken finally did emerge from his tent, grumbling about the noise and how he couldn't get back to sleep. Instead of partaking in breakfast right away, he went down to the lake to freshen up.
As he bent down to splash water on his face, he spied something just below the surface. Puzzled, he leaned closer to the water to get a better look. The lake was as calm as the surface of glass, and the water, though very deep and very dark, was quite clear. Whatever this was, it was very near the surface. It looked like a turtle shell, though it was far too large to be any kind of turtle he knew of.
Then, closer to the surface, two lightly colored dots seemed to disappear and then became visible again.
Eyes.
And they were looking at him.
The surface of the water erupted in a horrendous, frothy splash as four Kappa burst out of the lake and were instantly upon him. Drakken fell backward with a startled yelp. They pinned him down, biting and clawing him as more swarmed out of the lake and began scrambling toward the encampment.
"Shego!" Drakken called out instinctively. He tried to fight off the beast with his hands but met only teeth and claws. Some of them had short swords strapped to one leg. Drakken felt stabbing pains in his legs and lower torso.
The Kappa snarled and continued to maul him; his coat was shredded, the skin beneath it exposed. Pain began to overwhelm Drakken, and his consciousness faded. As the world around him began to gray out, Drakken was distantly aware of green and blue/green surges of energy shooting through the air above him. Those Kappa that were attacking him appeared to fly abruptly in to the air.
Shego had been the first to hear Drakken's yelp, and was already running toward the lake before she realized what she was doing. Whatever hostility she had toward Drew was instantly forgotten as she instinctively responded to his call for help.
Kimono was up and running an instant later, and together the two of them began blasting the creatures off the helpless Doctor Drakken.
"Let's go!" Ron called to the others as he sprinted down toward the lake, "Now's the time to put our Blades to use!"
More of the creatures were emerging from the lake, swords drawn, teeth bared, claws menacing.
Veronica screamed in terror upon her first sighting of the horrible creatures. They were humanoid in form, though their torsos were covered by unusually large tortoise shells. They had dark green skin, and gills that protruded out of their necks. But their faces, though smooth and hairless, resembled the ugliest apes you can imagine; their hands and feet were monkey-ish limbs, though the digits were webbed. They had yellow eyes, and sharp fang-like teeth which they bared whenever they snarled.
Ron transformed the Lotus Blade in a great Thor-like hammer and charged into the line of advancing creatures, swinging and clubbing with every step.
While Shego and Kimono continued to blast away, Kim moved around to their left and drew her Blades. It took her three seconds of observation to discover the weaknesses in their armor, their fighting styles and their overall physiological make-up. She called this information out to the others.
"They have vulnerabilities at the pit of each arm. There's a gap in the armor there. Their gills are another weak spot. Aim for the neck if you can't reach under the arm!" The others were arriving with their weapons, Kim repeated her information in Japanese for Kintaro's benefit.
As Kimono was using her energy beams as weapons, TJ had both Orchid Blades. He began swinging them alternately; first one, and then the other as he squared off against the Kappa nearest him. At first, there was a large shadow in front of the creatures' eyes where TJ should have been, then suddenly a blinding flash of light. The creatures scattered like frightened horses at the light burst, some of them tripping over each other. TJ moved in to eliminate those that had fallen.
"Yori!" Ron shouted above the din. He swung his hammer and shattered the shell of the nearest Kappa, then instantly transformed the hammer into a katana and finished off the creature, "Get Drakken back to camp!"
Yori did as she was ordered. She wanted to fight along side the others, but was never able to say no to Ron Stoppable.
"I'll help her get Drew back to camp!" Shego yelled to Kimono, "Can you handle things here?"
Turquoise fury blazed forth from Kimono's eyes, slamming three Kappa to the ground and practically crushing them against each other.
"For now," Kimono hollered, "But hurry back. We really need you."
Though Shego knew it was a battle situation and Kimono was talking about how much they needed her combat skills as well as her kinetic powers, it still meant something to her to hear Kimono say that.
The others were relying primarily on their weapons, but Kintaro employed much of his martial arts skills in the fight. While slashing at the neck of a Kappa with his sword, he swung his leg out in a roundhouse move, driving back another creature until he could deal with it. As he swung around, Kintaro backhanded that same Kappa with his left hand, knocking its head to the side for a spilt second. Kintaro followed through with his katana and separated the creature's head from the rest of it. Then he lunged forward, picked the body up before it could fall and hurled it at three others who were approaching. They were knocked sprawling.
"Nice!" Ron said in open admiration. He'd been momentarily distracted by Kintaro's fighting prowess.
"Ron!" Kim shouted.
Ron whirled around to see a Kappa upon him. More precisely what he saw were teeth, and almost nothing else. Instantly Ron realized he wouldn't be able to bring his weapon to bear in time. He closed his eyes for the inevitable. But it never came. The creature was driven sideways at the last second by a hurled blade which buried itself in the side of its head.
Ron looked over and saw his wife glancing at him with a smirk on her face, her arm extended, having just thrown one of her blades. She held her palm outward and the Blade flew through the air back to her.
But it never got there.
One of the creatures was charging at Kim from an angle and got between her and the flying Blade. The Magnolia Blade stuck itself into the creature's shoulder and the beast roared in pain. It turned slightly, threw out its good arm and backhanded Kim, knocking her over. She rolled once or twice and finally managed to recover herself, then sprang to her feet.
Veronica let out a scream.
Kim turned to see a Kappa had broken through their line and was charging at Veronica who had held back, afraid to get into the fight since she had no combat skills and very little experience with the Cactus Blade.
"Veronica!" Kim cried out and began running toward her.
"No!" Ron yelled, "Stay on the line, Kim!"
Though it went against every instinct she had, Kim held back and bit her lip in terror, the creature, snarling and frothing at the mouth, was about twelve feet from reaching Veronica.
"Help!" Veronica screamed. She began to back up a few steps.
Ten feet.
"Fight, Veronica!" Ron yelled over his shoulder, "You can do this!"
Seven feet.
"No!" Veronica began to sob in terror, "Please help me!"
Five feet.
"It's too late!" Ron called back.
Three.
"You'll have to take it down yourself!"
Two.
Whimpering and crying, Veronica's knuckles turned white as she gripped the shaft of the Cactus Blade.
One.
Veronica squeezed her eyes shut and raised the Blade, swinging it like a baseball bat. She let out a shrill cry that she hoped sounded fierce, but knew a lot of fear could be heard within it.
At the last instant, her eyes opened in time to see the Blade catch the advancing Kappa in the midsection. There was a horrendous booming noise as the shell of the creature shattered like a dropped porcelain figurine. The monster itself flew backward and into the air, sailing well out over the lake before it plunged into the water with a huge splash.
It was dead before it even left the ground.
"BOOYAH!" Ron bellowed in fierce triumph.
"Total fusion!" TJ called out with much wonder in his voice, "Way to take 'em down, Ronnie!"
Though tears streamed from her eyes, Veronica laughed in surprise. No other Kappa were willing to go after her.
"Man, that is sweet!" Ron said to no one in particular as he continued fighting, "I wish I had a Cactus Bl-"
The Lotus Blade transformed into a naginata. Ron stepped back a few paces and stared at it.
"Spank me," Ron breathed as he ogled the newly transformed weapon in amazement. He held up the Blade and slammed it to the ground.
The three Kappa nearest to him virtually exploded as a thunderous noise accompanied a lightning-fast crack in the ground.
This, Ron realize, was why the Lotus Blade was considered the chief among the Ohana Blades. Not only could it transform into all kinds of weapons, but it could also become a copy of any of the other Ohana Blades.
A quadruple line of Kappa advanced on Ron.
"FOUR!" he called out and swung the Blade like a nine iron.
The lead Kappa was driven violently back into the other three; all four of their shells simultaneously bursting into shreds.
Veronica, still afraid, but now with a budding confidence, ran down to the line and began dispatching Kappa with one swing of the Cactus Blade after another.
The creatures had had enough. They turned and retreated back into the lake, though less than half their number survived to make the retreat. They stumbled over each other as they churned back into the water and slid beneath the surface. Soon, the Stoppable Clan and Kintaro all stood alone on the beach, breathing hard. It was eerie, as the lake surface began to smooth out again, it almost looked like there was no battle at all, but for the slain Kappa strewn about the shore. Everything seemed to quiet down again.
"BOOYAH again, baby!" Ron shouted out over the lake.
Kintaro smiled and then said something to Kim.
"Kintaro says we should get going," she translated to the others, "The enemy will soon know where we are."
Ron transformed the Lotus Blade into the Magnolia Blades and slung them to his back, grinning at his wife.
Kim began to return his smile when a horrible thought occurred to her. She gasped.
"What is it?" TJ asked.
"The other Blade, it's gone! I only have one of the Magnolia Blades!" She began to look around wildly.
"Calm down, KP," Ron soothed, "Just hold up your hand and call it back to you."
Kim did so, but nothing happened.
"It got stuck in that one turtle-thingy who got between me and the Blade as I was calling it back, then I got distracted by what was happening to Veronica," Kim explained, "It must have gone back into the water and carried off the Blade."
TJ whistled, "Looks like they've already gotten part of our arsenal."
"Kintaro's right," Ron said after a second or two, "We need to get going, as soon as possible."
But as much as they felt the urgency to move on before Monkey Fist was made aware of their location, it wouldn't be that easy. Drakken was in dire shape. Kim tended to his wounds, ordering the others to boil some water and tear up one of the tents to use as bandages.
Ron and TJ hastily constructed a stretcher, which is to say it took a good three hours to put together. But Kim was thorough in her work, not satisfied until she'd found every wound and bandaged it well, and that took quite a long time to accomplish. Fortunately for Drakken, most of his wounds were fairly superficial, and he hadn't lost too much blood. But it was clear he was very weak, and there was no way he would be able to walk on his own.
It was afternoon before they were truly able to get moving. Kintaro informed them they would be walking through the night. Camping was not a luxury they could afford anymore. They had to get to Mutsu Castle.
The real disappointment, which they each realized at different times that day, was that even if Monkey Fist didn't know exactly where they were, it was pretty clear where they were headed, and the enemy now knew what general area they were in. Since Mutsu was the northernmost province on Japan's main island, it was a pretty safe bet the enemy would guess where they were headed.
What little enjoyment everyone was able to get from their journey until now was completely gone. Not only did they have to walk through the night, stumbling and feeling their way along at a maddeningly slow pace, but they all had to take shifts carrying Drakken, who spent most of the time in a haze, muttering to himself and sometimes crying out unexpectedly. Kintaro had gathered some herbs and mixed them with water. Though the concoction did not necessarily relieve Drakken's pain, it did make him extremely drowsy and thus he slept for a good portion of the journey.
When neither of them had stretcher duty, Kim set about teaching Ron Japanese with the help of his Lotus/Magnolia Blades. Kim found that though she did not make any startling new discoveries, the Blade that remained in her possession seemed to help her retain the knowledge she had gained since she arrived in ancient Japan. Her enhanced perception was gone, but the memory retention remained.
Ron was exhilarated at his newfound knowledge enhancements. He soaked up as much as Kim would teach him and by early next morning, he was at least able to have rudimentary conversations with Kintaro.
"I think you're getting it!" Kim said proudly in the predawn hours as they walked along.
"I'm learning Japanese!" Ron said elatedly, "I think I'm learning Japanese! I really think so!"
Kim rolled her eyes and was about to continue when TJ asked her to relieve him at the stretcher.
Shego didn't allow anyone else to carry her end of the stretcher. She took up her station at the end where Drakken's head lay and stayed there until they arrived at Mutsu castle. Shego was having an inner battle with herself. She felt great concern and worry for Drakken, but was convinced it was all part of the loyalty protocol Drew had programmed into her. And though that thought made her angry, she realized it wasn't his fault he was injured. So what was it? Did she feel genuine concern for him? Or was it all part of the loyalty programming? Could a clone truly feel such feelings or were all her emotions just a product of a clone's pre-programmed mind?
And though the others took shifts, Kimono took the lion's share of stretcher duty on the other end. She was devastated when they arrived back in camp and found him so horribly wounded, but her mother-in-law had assured her that Drakken would be OK as long as he didn't get an infection. Since Kim was a doctor, and a neurosurgeon at that, Kimono trusted her prognosis.
So it was, late the next evening just before the last of the twilight faded from the sky, the exhausted band of travelers arrived at the gates of Mutsu castle.
Upon receiving word of their arrival, Hidesato himself rose from his throne room and went down into the courtyard to receive his son and his son's companions. Rumor had already flown from one end of Japan to the other of strange, supernatural warriors from another world who may be wielding the Ohana Blades. Rumor further speculated they were here to do battle with the demon known as Fist Of Monkey and conquer his army.
Hidesato was not a superstitious man, and was not one to be caught up in rumors. He was pleased to see his son, though he did not show it (to show such emotion in public was considered beneath a provincial lord). Hidesato noted by the fatigued countenances of the strangers that they truly were human after all, and not supernatural beings from another world. Hidesato's best guess was that they were likely from distant lands across the sea, on the other side of China itself perhaps.
"Kintaro-chan," Hidesato said with a slight nod, "It is good that you have come to the gates of your home."
"Yes, Hidesato-sama," Kintaro said with a very low bow, "These are my companions. I have brought them along with most of the Ohana Blades to be put under your protection at Master's request."
"Most of the Ohana Blades?" Hidesato asked impassively.
"My lord," Kintaro said with an even lower bow, "I am afraid your son has failed in the completion of his duty. One of the Magnolia Blades was captured and taken from us."
"Us?"
"Forgive me, my lord Hidesato, I meant to say 'me'." Kintaro said, an edge of shame creeping into his voice.
"He is not to blame." Kim interjected, "I was carrying the Magnolia Blades, and the missing Blade was taken from me."
Hidesato stiffened, but ignored Kim and continued speaking to Kintaro, "Please tell me exactly how you failed to protect the Magnolia Blades."
It has been said that we all do stupid things when we're exhausted. And it's a well known fact that judgment can be impaired by fatigue. Combine such fatigue with a stubborn, headstrong personality and it may just explain what Kim said next.
"Excuse me," Kim spoke in an extremely annoyed tone of voice, "But I have just explained what happened. Kintaro is not to blame. It would be most considerate of you not to ignore me in this manner."
Suddenly the air was thick with tension. Ron opened his mouth to whisper to Kim that maybe she should just let a father talk with his son, but Kim continued on.
"I am aware that you are accustomed to treating women as less than men in Japan. But where I come from, I am a great warrior," Kim paused, and then finished quietly, "And I would be happy to prove it."
Hidesato turned cold, steely eyes upon Kim, and then back to his son.
"Not only have you brought shame upon this house by failing to protect the Ohana Blades, but you have brought disrespect and dishonor as well." Hidesato spat, then turned to Kim, "Tomorrow, mid-morning."
The lord of the Mutsu province then turned, strode out of the courtyard, and up to his private quarters.
"What just happened?" TJ asked, confused.
"Kim has challenged the lord of the Mutsu province. Now they must meet in single combat." Yori said with some disgust in her voice.
"What?" Kim barked, astonished, "I was only trying to get his attention."
"Looks like you got it," Shego observed with a smirk.
"We'll just tell him I wasn't serious." Kim concluded.
Yori exchanged a few words with Kintaro, which none of the others could hear. Kintaro answered her, though his head hung and his eyes were closed. He was devastated by his father's reception and was already regretting bringing the others to the castle.
"If you withdraw from the challenge," Yori explained loud enough so they could all hear, "Then Hidesato would be obliged to have you executed."
"But why?" Kim protested.
"Because you challenged him in front of witnesses. He could not refuse your challenge without losing face, and if you withdrew, you would be seen as a coward who has come to taunt Hidesato." Yori answered, "Hidesato's subjects would believe that he is afraid of you if you backed out of a challenge and he did nothing as a result."
"That's just perfect!" Ron said, angrily glaring at his wife, "Of all the times to go all 'I can do anything' on a guy, that was not it!"
Everyone except perhaps Shego was completely shocked, and still trying to absorb what just happened.
"This is so not what we need right now," Ron growled, "We're supposed to be going after Monkey Fist. Not wasting precious time. I just….argh!"
Kim felt a lump in her throat. She had never seen Ron so furious, at least not at her. Once more she'd jumped in headfirst without looking; got her pride injured and just had to prove to the world she was Kim Possible.
"Ron-" she began in a tremulous voice.
"Yori, would you ask Kintaro how we can get Drakken taken care of? Then maybe look into quarters for the rest of us?" Ron asked, then glared at Kim again, "And if it's not too much trouble, I'd like my own room."
Kintaro nodded dejectedly, mumbled a few orders to a nearby guard, then got up and trudged off on his own. Yori almost wanted to go after him, but had to stay and translate since none of the guards wanted to speak to Kim and Ron wasn't yet very proficient in speaking the language.
Drakken was taken to the castle physician, who stared at his new patient for a full five minutes before setting to work on him. Shego and Kimono both stayed and watched the physician work on Drakken long into the night. TJ was given quarters to share with his wife, Yori would room with Veronica. As requested, Ron and Kim were housed separately.
Kim was still trying to process what had just happened. In the space of a minute, she had challenged the lord of Mutsu Province to combat and alienated her husband. Alone in her paper-walled room, the numbness of recent events wore off and Kim began to cry bitter tears. Many were shed before she finally fell into a troubled sleep.
In the morning, She sought Ron out, hoping the storm had passed. It hadn't
"What do you want?" he snapped.
"Ron…I-"
"I'm busy."
"Doing what?"
"Trying to figure out what we're going to do next!" he said angrily, "You know, I was hoping that maybe we could convince Lord Hidesato to help us go after the Tempus Simia. That's not likely to happen now."
Kim recoiled, she'd rarely seen him so furious, and never at her.
"Ron, I might be dead later this morning!" She protested weakly.
"We all might be dead by the end of the week!" Ron shouted, "And everyone we know is gone! This isn't about us! And it certainly isn't about you!"
The tears began to well up within her. She would be facing a formidable warrior in combat in an hour or so, but this was somehow worse.
"Just go," he said, waving his hand dismissively, "And try not to get killed."
Kim left his room feeling more miserable than she could remember. What had she done? And what could be done to fix it?
Sitting quietly in her room next door, Yori had heard everything. Though she did not wish any harm on Kim, she began to see a window of opportunity. She decided to see what the outcome of the duel would be before considering her opportunities further.
Though the duel itself could be described in minute detail, it is perhaps best to move beyond such things since the outcome of the battle is already known. Kim lived, as did Hidesato, and Kim wound up with a deep wound on her arm.
The important point, of course, is why the battle turned out the way it did.
The duel took place in a small, private courtyard reserved solely for Hidesato's use. Kintaro chose the venue as it would afford the lord of Mutsu some privacy and spare him the embarrassment of possible defeat in front of his subjects. Ron was allowed to view the proceedings, as was Yori, but no one else would see it.
Kim fought with a standard katana, though she kept the remaining Magnolia Blade strapped to her back. Because the missing Blade apparently was the one that enhanced perception, Kim was unable to discern Hidesato's weaknesses as quickly as she had in battle before. But, since the Blade she did have helped her retain better memory capability, she was able to put the skills she had learned thus far to good use.
Hidesato was unquestionably a master swordsman, and Kim was on the defensive the entire time; frantically so, in fact. Many was the time she barely managed to block an attack and save her own life. Fortunately for her, Hidesato was holding back. Though he had been challenged, he was not a foolish man. He soon discerned that Kim's bravado was not just empty words. He also realized that she was merely attempting to get him to take her seriously by her ill-advised words of defiance. She was indeed a competent warrior, and had already lasted longer than any opponent he had ever faced previously. Hidesato tried to come up with a way out of combat without losing face, and without killing the orange-haired woman.
Whether or not Kim sensed this, no one will ever know. But about eight minutes into the duel – which is more than twice as long as such duels usually last – Kim was frantically parrying off Hidesato's attacks when she simply put up her arm to shield off his blade. She could have easily spun to the left and brought up her own blade to block, but chose not to. Hidesato's katana sliced through the air and buried itself in her arm.
Kim let out a yelp of pain and surprise.
Only Kintaro would ever know that his father held up his stroke at the last minute, and allowed the blade merely to cut her rather than severing her arm and finishing her off.
There was silence for a few seconds. No one even dared to breathe.
"I yield," Kim said quietly.
Hidesato wrenched his blade from her arm and took two steps back, "Then I will spare your life, as it would be a waste to take the life of such a warrior. You have proven your words, and your bravery. Any council you may have for me in the future will be taken into consideration. However, I suggest there are better ways of asserting yourself in the future."
Hidesato nodded his head slightly, turned, and strode out of the courtyard. Word quickly spread through the castle that the lord of Mutsu was victorious, and that he had spared the life of the woman in an act of benevolence.
Ron also left the courtyard without saying a word.
Kim was taken to the castle physician where she found Kimono talking to her father who was awake, but very weak.
For the next few days, Kim hardly her husband. She barely left her room at all. Ron seemed to be very busy making plans with the others. Veronica came and reported to her all that they had discussed, including the reports that Ishigawa and Monkey Fist were nearing the border of Mutsu province. Their armies would likely arrive in a few days.
So it was decided that Ron, TJ and Kimono would march out with Hidesato's army to meet Ishigawa and Monkey Fist in battle. Veronica, Shego and Kim would be left at the castle as a contingency plan if all else failed, and Kintaro and Yori would journey out and try to flank Monkey Fist in case he didn't join the battle. As Hidesato did not see that Kintaro would be much use on the battlefield, and since he was still upset at what had happened, the lord of Mutsu allowed Kintaro to do as he pleased. Kintaro probably would rather have stayed with his father if it were not for the opportunity of spending so much time with Yori alone.
Thus the plan was set in motion.
And that is all that has happened up to this point.
Well…
There was one more thing. A rather traumatic event happened the day before Ishigawa's armies arrived.
Ron was on his way to Kintaro's quarters to ask him a few things about the local terrain when he heard a woman call out for help… in English.
Curious, Ron set off in the direction the voice was coming from. As he got closer to it, the cries for help became more urgent.
"Will someone please help me?"
It was Shego.
Ron broke into a run as he followed the voice. Through corridors and around corners, the voice grew louder, and more frantic until Ron sprinted around a final corner and found…
Shego.
In a large, room-sized bath.
With about twenty men.
She had come in earlier to take a bath alone and was mortified when a score of warriors simply entered, disrobed, and got into the pool with her.
Shego was huddled up in a corner of the bath, her knees tucked up to her chest, waving a glowing green fist at anyone who tried to get near her. Though she wouldn't have believed it if told, the men in the large, warm pool with her were merely curious and were trying to get a good look at the strange green woman from another world.
Ron tried his hardest not to grin, but couldn't help it.
"Shego!" he said jovially, "Yori warned us of the ancient Japanese tradition about men and women sharing baths. Did I forget to tell you?"
"You knew about this?" Shego's voice dripped with venom.
"You know, you see this sort of thing on sit-coms all the time, but you never think it's actually going to happen to you." Ron mused.
"Would you just get me my kimono?" Shego barked.
"Your daughter?" Ron said, turning to leave, "Sure, I'll go get her."
"No!" Shego yelled, "My kimono!"
"That's what I said," Ron protested.
"I'm talking about my robe and you know it!" Shego raged, then swung a glowing fist, "Back off, fellas."
"I don't know," Ron said doubtfully, "What would Drakken say if I saw you naked before he gets to?"
"You're not going to see me naked," Shego seethed, "And neither is Drew. You're going to hand me my ki- my ROBE with your eyes closed."
Ron retrieved a green kimono and brought it to the edge of the pool. He held out the robe and closed his eyes.
"Oh wow, they actually are green," Ron said mischievously. "Looks like I owe TJ a dollar."
"You WHAT?" Shego raged, but Ron still had his eyes closed and was just playing her.
"So tell me," Ron said conversationally, "You're going to have a daughter with Dr. D, but you won't even let him see you naked when you guys-?"
"I won't be having a daughter with Drew," Shego said bitterly, "I'm a clone, or hadn't you heard?"
"You're a what?"
"A clone!"
Ron suddenly roared with laughter, "Did he tell you that?"
"Uh…yeah."
"Drakken can't even keep a syntho-drone up and running. What makes you think he'd successfully be able to clone you without you knowing? Or without the rest of us knowing for that matter? Man, you got played but GOOD!" Ron couldn't contain his mirth.
Shego's mind blanked again… of course she wasn't a clone. There was no way Drew could have ever… was there?
Shego was shocked at having been played so masterfully by Drakken, but part of her was shocked to discover how easily she believed it. Why would she have accepted such a ridiculous story as truth?
"My apologies," Ron turned and bowed to the twenty men who remained in the bath, "There will be no more display of the green woman tonight."
"Awwwwwww," twenty male voices sighed with deep disappointment.
"What did you say to them?" Shego's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"I said 'No more peeks until I see some yen'." Ron said firmly.
"Argh!" Shego rolled her eyes in frustration. Can we just get…"
"...out of here?" Shego demanded. "I hate this place."
"Would you let me think?" Kim snapped, "There's got to be some way we can hide without anyone in the castle knowing where we-"
"You!" came a gruff voice from one of the doorways, "Stay where you are!"
"I don't think he's one of ours," Shego said, flaring up her fists.
The soldier yelled back down the hallway from which he had emerged, "Come quickly. I believe some of the bearers of the Ohana Blades are here!"
"We need to go now!" Shego's voice rose with concern.
Dozens of soldiers began pouring into the room. Without saying a word, Veronica turned and shoved both Shego and Kim into the nearest bath. The two tumbled into the water and came up spluttering and coughing.
"Veronica!" Kim cried out, "What are you-?"
Veronica leaped out over the bath, spun the Cactus Blade in the air, and brought it straight down as she plunged into the water. The Blade struck the bottom of the pool which, with a horrendous roar, collapsed beneath them. The three women plunged through the floor with tens of thousands of gallons of water, leaving dozens of soldiers standing at the edge, gawking.
As the day wore on into afternoon, Hidesato's army had successfully managed to gradually reposition itself at the north end of the valley while still engaging Ishigawa's forces. Ishigawa's lesser generals had only been given orders to fight, and retreat was not an option. This gave the advantage to Hidesato's troops who didn't allow the enemy to regroup but rather charged whenever they tried to withdraw and re-form their lines. In addition, no enemy soldier wanted to come near the strange warriors with the even stranger powers, which allowed Ron, TJ and Kimono to come through the battle unscathed.
Ishigawa's forces had been reduced by close to a hundred thousand, while Hidesato had lost perhaps fifteen thousand of his own soldiers.
But the battle couldn't go on forever, and Hidesato knew fatigue was a major player in longer conflicts. Many was the time when he'd seen the outcome of a battle turn against the inevitable victor because of fatigue.
Between the approximate hours of two and four in the afternoon, a weather front moved in and it began to rain. Soon it was pouring with earnest, and Hidesato took the opportunity to withdraw his forces. Ishigawa's army was perfectly aware of what was happening, and did not mistake the withdrawal as a retreat. They did not pursue.
Ron stood with TJ and Kimono on the northern ridge overlooking the battlefield.
Drakken, who had been on horseback and observing the battle from Hidesato's position, rode up. He sat very tired in his saddle, and he had some bad news.
"Ishigawa's taken the castle." He said quietly.
"What?" Kimono said in alarm, "How?"
"We were flanked by their cavalry," Drakken explained, "The last we saw of the castle there was smoke coming from it and bodies were being thrown over the walls."
Ron's jaw clenched.
"Well, we've got to go in there and get our people." TJ said flatly.
"No," Ron said quietly.
"Huh?" Even Drakken was surprised at this.
"We've got to get to the Tempus Simia. That's the only priority."
"But-" TJ began.
"The only priority."
"So what are we going to do?" Kimono asked.
"You three are going to stay with Hidesato's army. At some point there will be another battle, and if Monkey Fist is involved, you may be able to get to him that way." Ron ordered.
"And you?" Kimono demanded.
"I'm going after the Lotus Blade."
"I thought the Tempus Simia was the only priori-"
"If Monkey Fist has the Lotus Blade, then the Tempus Simia will be close by," Ron growled.
"So we'll all go," TJ said firmly.
"No."
"Now hold up," Kimono interjected, "We've been following your orders because you seem to know the most about this mystical monkey power of ours. But that doesn't mean you can boss us around like Hidesato's soldiers."
"Fine," Ron threw up his hands, "Whatever. Do what you want. But I'm going alone."
"To get the Lotus Blade."
"And the Tempus Simia if I can."
The four of them stood there in the rain for a few seconds. Then Drakken sneezed.
"We need to get Daddy somewhere warm and dry", Kimono said to her husband.
"I…yeah." TJ looked at his father, "Good luck, Dad."
Ron reached out and shook his son's hand, "So long, TJ."
Ron Stoppable turned and walked off into the stormy darkness.
"I believe your name is Yori, yes?"
"Yes. What has happened to Kintaro?"
"Your companion? He escaped. But let's talk about you."
"Why?"
"I believe there is something you want. Something more than anything else in the world."
"What makes you say this?"
"This short sword I acquired a few days ago. It seems to have some sort of effect on my perception. And I am perceiving that you want something… or rather someone."
"'Someone'?"
"I've seen you and Stoppable together before. I've seen how you looked at him."
"That was a long time ago."
"Was it? Let me show you something. This is the Tempus Simia Idol. I used to think it could give me the ability to travel through time. But I have come to learn that it will actually give me whatever I desire."
"May I hold it?"
"In due time, perhaps. But the point I am making, is that this little statue can give you what you desire most. Wouldn't you like that?"
"I…I do not see how this is possible."
"Oh, but I believe you want to see how it is possible. Don't you?"
"I…yes."
"If I could bring Ron Stoppable to you, and he would be yours to have always, would you be agreeable to this?"
"I… I do not…yes."
"Very good, my dear. Then if I can bring Ron Stoppable to you, you would be willing to do one or two small favors for me, yes?"
"…"
"What did you say, my dear?"
"Yes."
"Yes, what?"
"Yes, I would be willing to do these favors for you… Lord Monkey Fist."