I do not own nor have rights to any of the characters contained within this story.

Chapter 9 – A new Ron

Ron Stoppable was walking down a dimly lit hallway looking for suite 461. As he spotted the proper door and placed his hand on the doorknob he thought about the events that had lead him to this room.

He had contacted one of the names that Wade had supplied to him and, once he had explained what he needed was surprised when his contact told him that as long as Ron was able to supply some very specific information and a few passport photo's it would only take two days for all of the arrangements to be completed.

Following the instructions given him he had dyed his hair brown, had the passport photo's taken and got together a list of bank accounts numbers and such and dropped them off at another office on the other side of town two days ago.

He had received a call just that morning and was told to come to this location and enter suite 461 at precisely 1:00 PM. As Ron looked at the watch on his wrist he noticed that it was exactly 1:00 PM. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly he squared his shoulders, turned the doorknob in his hand and opened the door and walking resolutely into the room. The room was completely empty except for a desk sitting precisely in the center of the smallish dusty room. Sitting on the desk was a large envelope and a duffle bag. In the envelope were all of the documents he would need to begin his new life. Even the bank accounts were transferred to the new name although a substantial sum had been deducted.

At precisely 1:00 PM a Mr. Ron Stoppable, formerly of Middleton, Colorado had walked into Suite 461. And at precisely 1:15 PM a Mr. Alan Roberts formerly of New York City, New York had exited.

Hirotaka's arrival

On the morning that Ron had first heard the legend of the Band of the Blade, at 11:30 in the morning, the doors of Go City Hotel had opened and a leather jacketed young Japanese man had entered. He was of average height but few people ever thought of him as average. He walked with an authority that made him look taller than he really was. People asked to describe him after their first meeting invariably said he was well over six feet tall even though he was five foot seven. As he walked up to the front desk he removed a piece of gum from his jacket pocket and, with one hand, somehow removed the wrapper and tossed it high into the air, it landed expertly in his open and waiting mouth.

Upon reaching the front desk Hirotaka had had introduced himself and inquired about Ron and Yori. He was given their respective room numbers as well as being told that a room had been reserved in his name. After receiving the keycard for his room he thanked the young female, with the all to chipper voice, and as he turned toward the elevators. The chipper voice behind him interrupted his actions when it said that both parties were currently in the ballroom if he cared to look them up before going to his room.

"Ballroom?" Hirotaka thought as he was given directions "What would they being doing in the ballroom" His question was answered after a few moments when he opened the door to the room indicated and noticed the mats covering the floor. There, in the center of the mats, was Yori and a young blond haired man that Hirotaka had never met but looked exactly as he had been described. "This must be Ron Stoppable." He thought to himself, but then questioned this thought when he noticed what was happening on the mats. Ron had been described to him completely, not only his physical appearance but his fighting style and prowess. This could not possibly be the Ron Stoppable that his fellow students and Sensi had told him about.

The man in question was standing immobile in the center of the mats while Yori was in motion. Yori, who was known to be very skilled and dangerous in a match, was throwing kicks and punches at the man that would have felled a dozen opponents. Hirotaka knew only to well from the number of bruises and cracked ribs Yori had inflicted on him over the years that Yori was in full fighting mode. A shocked look crossed Hirotaka's face as he watched the young man effortlessly block every kick and punch without seeming to be exerting himself at all.

Hirotaka was sent into further shock when the young man plucked Yori's leg out of the air during a particularly vicious kick and then spun around. When Yori was released she flew through the air and landed with a loud thump at the farthest edge of the mats. Yori quickly stood and gave the traditional bow of gracious defeat which was returned by the young man.

As Yori was walking toward the man in the center of the mats Hirotaka heard him saying "Ya know Yori, I gotta learn how to amp this down. I can't really learn anything when you're moving so slowly". "Slowly?" Hirotaka thought as he remembered the blur of motion that he had witnessed a few moments ago. "Did he just say slowly?"

As Yori was walking back toward Ron she noticed a movement. As she looked toward the movement she recognized Hirotaka standing just inside the door. A broad smile suddenly lit up her face as she started running toward Hirotaka her bare feet making slapping sounds on the floor.

When she was three feet from Hirotaka she leapt into the air. Hirotaka had barely enough time to hastily drop his bags before catching Yori as she slammed into him wrapping her arms around his neck as her legs hooking around his. Hirotaka was surprise at this un-Yori-like behavior and was again surprised, but quite pleasantly, when Yori's open mouth clamped suddenly to his in a deep and passionate kiss.

Hirotaka returned the kiss for a few moments when he suddenly remembered that they were not alone in the room. He pulled back suddenly and looked at a very disappointed Yori still wrapped tightly around him. "Yori, we are not alone" he stammered. Yori suddenly blushed a bright red and, untangling her legs and arms from Hirotaka, slipped to the floor. She took Hirotaka's hand in hers and slowly turned to face the man still in the center of the mats. "Stoppable-san, may I have the great honor of introducing Hirotaka of the Yamanochi School" Yori said as she bowed toward the Ron and gave the hand in hers a slight squeeze.

The young man on the mats was smiling broadly as he started walking toward them "I kinda guessed that" Ron said as he reached them. Ron bowed to Hirotaka and then stood reaching out his hand in the American gesture of welcome. Hirotaka returned the bow and then reached out to take Ron's hand surprised at the strength and firmness of Ron's grip. As they shook hands Hirotaka looked at Ron and said "It is an honor to meet you Stoppable-san, I notice that it did not take you long to Americanize Yori" Yori blushed again as she realized he was referring to the manner in which she greeted him.

Ron just chuckled as he smiled at the two people facing him, then the chuckle left him suddenly to be replaced by an empty sadness as he remembered that He and Kim used to look like that, holding hands and so obviously in love. Hirotaka and Yori looked at Ron with concern as they noticed the smile slip away and the sad look in his brown eye's as they misted up. This lasted only a moment though as a look of resolution crossed Ron's face and an obviously forced smile came to his lips. Ron was the first to speak "Well, I guess we can call it a day here. Let's get Hirotaka settled in and then I better get cleaned up, what say we meet in my room in an hour. I'll have some lunch sent up and we can talk in private" that said he reached to pick up Hirotaka's forgotten bags and started leaving the ballroom.

It was actually two hours later when Hirotaka, with Yori's hand firmly clenched in his, knocked on Ron's door. Ron was about to mention their lateness when he noticed the slight flush on Yori's face and deciding that discretion was the better part of valor simply smiled and waved them into his room. While they were eating Yori and Ron gave Hirotaka a complete rundown on the events of that morning. Hirotaka knew of the Legend of the band and asked to see it. Ron raised his arm to show the softly glowing band to Hirotaka. After seeing the band for himself Hirotaka excused himself and drawing a cell phone from his pocket he dialing a very long number walked to the other side of the room and started talking in very rapid Japanese.

Yori was staring open eyed while intently following Hirotaka's side of the conversation. Ron, who did not know the language, simply sat and waited. After about five minutes Hirotaka walked back to Ron and Yori and simply handed the phone to Ron. Ron placed the phone to his ear and simply said "Hello?" and was very surprised to hear the voice of Sensi come from the phone "Stoppable-san, I am not surprised that you have so quickly reached a level of your training where I must get involved. I feel that it would be better not to do this over the phone however, cell phone charges being what they are. I have already explained to Hirotaka what must be done, please take your direction from him and I will see you soon" with that cryptic remark the line went dead. After a moment Ron closed the phone and handing it back to Hirotaka simply said "Well?"

Hirotaka guided Ron to the center of the room and told him to assume the Lotus position. He then moved Yori into a like position beside Ron and after telling them to hold hands took a seat on the other side of Ron and took Ron's other hand in one of his own. He told Ron to close his eyes and begin meditation. He told Ron that the Band knew what the next step was and to just trust his own feelings. Ron closed his eyes and started muttering his mantra. After a few moments Ron suddenly felt a warmth on his face and opened his eyes. He was sitting beneath the tree again with the tree house directly over his head but this time he was far from alone, Yori sat blinking on his left while Hirotaka, who had known what was coming, simply sat on his right looking around.

At a sound coming from above him Ron looked up and was surprised to see Sensi, dressed in a bright red Gi, descending the wooden slats nailed to the tree as a makeshift ladder. As Sensi reached the ground he walked around in front of the trio and, with a wave of his hand, the red Gi was suddenly replaced by the flowing red and golden robes that Sensi typically wore. As he seated himself he said "The robes made it difficult to climb the tree, I hope you do not mind but I took the opportunity to look around while awaiting your arrival" Ron simply looked at Sensi and said "No, please Sensi, whatever you want, don't even think about it" Sensi suddenly turned solemn and said "I am truly sorry about failing to tell you about the Band Stoppable-san but I felt it prudent to determine if the Band accepted you prior to further explanation"

Ron glanced down to his wrist to look at the Band when he realized he was still holding hands with Hirotaka and Yori. After releasing their hands he looked down at the Band and said "No big Sensi, I just don't know why you gave it to me, or what I'm supposed to do with it". Sensi took a deep breath and started explaining "Stoppable-san part of your destiny approaches very quickly and I was forced to accelerate your training so you may be prepared to face it. One whose soul is forever tied to yours will soon come to be in great danger and I knew that I must do all in my power to prepare you to defend and protect her." Ron knew instantly who the 'her' was that Sensi was referring to and he jumped quickly to his feet "KIM'S IN DANGER? Then why am I sitting here, I've got to go to her. I've got to help her. Sensi! Where is she, where do I go?"

Sensi simply continued sitting. He looked up at Ron now towering over them all and made a gesture for Ron to again be seated before talking "Stoppable-san, the time is not yet here. Fear not for you will know when the time is right for you to proceed. For now you must trust in your friends" and he gestured to Yori and Hirotaka "to impart the skills and knowledge you will require for your upcoming tasks" Ron visibly relaxed as he again seated himself between Yori and Hirotaka. "Sensi" Ron said "I'm sorry, it's just when I thought Kim was in danger I just …" Sensi just held up his hand and said "I understand my son, better that you know, I have felt the bond between Possible-san and yourself and even though you have decided to absent yourself from her life" and with this Sensi frowned deeply "I know that you and she are tied together as deeply as any I have ever known"

During the remaining afternoon, while their physical bodies remained seated in a hotel room in Go City, Ron, Yori and Hirotaka learned from Sensi how to control the power of the band of the Blade so he could 'amp it down' as he had said earlier, Ron was informed that with Hirotaka as a guide he must work on increasing his physical stamina and muscle tone while Yori would continue to teach him not only hand to hand combat techniques but weapons skills as well. As the afternoon came to a close Sensi stood and after bidding them goodbye he turned to Hirotaka and said "It is time to give Stoppable-san the package Hirotaka-san, he will have need of it soon, very soon" and then Sensi smiled at the trio and disappeared.

The three friends took their seated positions again and held hands. Moments after closing their eyes in meditation they opened them and found themselves again seated on the floor of Ron's hotel room in Go City. Hirotaka immediately rose and after excusing himself left the room. He soon returned and when Ron answered the knock on the door Hirotaka entered the room carrying a long ornately carved wooden box in his hands.

Hirotaka reverently held the box out and when Ron released the catch and opened the box a blue glow infused the room. There, sitting in the velvet lined box, was the Lotus Blade.

Ron, Yori and Hirotaka made use of the ballroom / makeshift dojo over the next few weeks except on weekends when it was used by the hotel for its original purpose. Ron's progress surprised even Yori and Hirotaka. Even with the band 'amped down' Ron proved to be an astonishing student both in hand to hand combat and with the various weapons that Yori used in the sessions. Soon the three of them were giving impromptu exhibitions to a growing audience of Hotel employees including the manager. Under the guidance of Hirotaka and the use of a gym around the corner from the hotel Ron's physical presence also changed drastically, gone was the gangly awkward young man of a few short weeks ago and in his place stood a man thirty muscled pounds heavier. Ron had also become more graceful in his movements and had acquired the same self confident and assured walk as Hirotaka.

Ron soon found out that Hirotaka and Yori were still going to the ballroom on the weekends and started joining them, to his surprise Hirotaka was an excellent dancer and stared in amazement as Yori was twirled across the floor in perfect unison with Hirotaka to the joy of all who watched them. Ron was soon cajoled into taking the floor with Yori and found that the Band enabled him to learn more that martial arts.

2 Months later

Ron …. Er Alan, wasted no time getting things moving on the personal front either. He was tired of just waiting; he needed to get on with things. The home on the outskirts of Go City was now owned by a Mr. Alan Roberts (aka Ron) and the minor renovations had been completed earlier that week. The ballroom in the home was now transformed into a completely equipped dojo with an adjoining room that had once been a music room converted to a weight room complete with showers and a teak lined sauna. It was surprising how fast things could get done if enough money changed hands. Naturally the elaborate kitchen was fully stocked and was soon turned into the unofficial heart of the home.

When the trio had announced that they would be checking out of the hotel just the day before they had found the entire staff, even those off duty, gathered in the lobby to see them off. With much back-slapping and hand shaking and even a small kiss on the cheek from the overly chipper voiced young lady, who turned out to be a very nice person and not a bad dancer named Marge, Ron, Yori and Hirotaka moved to the home that was now prepared for them.

Ron had not forgotten his Middleton friends and continued to call them every week. Felix and Monique were still going strong and from some of the cryptic comments Ron got from Felix he gathered that the relationship had grown by leaps and bounds. He had even talked to Monique on two occasions after getting her to promise that Kim would never know of their talk and was really surprised, and a little embossed, when Monique accidentally let slip how happy she was that Felix was not completely paralyzed from the waist down. From Wade Ron got regular reports on Kim. Kim had resumed her missions about a month ago but the report from Wade last night had made Ron extremely nervous.

After Ron and his friends had gotten unpacked and settled into the new home they found themselves in the kitchen. Several open Bueno-Nacho bags lay scattered on the kitchen table and the remains of a demolished meal were quickly being finished off by a scurrying pink blur that moved quickly from plate to plate leaving a totally clean plate behind before moving to the next.

During the meal Yori and Hirotaka had noticed that Ron seemed distracted and worried and when the meal was over, except for the pink blur that continued for a few more minutes, they asked Ron about this. Ron looked at his friends and said "I know we've been working hard the last couple of months but I'm worried that I'm not ready" Yori and Hirotaka looked at each other for a second before Hirotaka said "Ready for what Stoppable-san" Ron gave his friends a worried look before answering "You know I've been taking to Wade, Well.. he's been giving me updates about Kim. Well anyway, last nights update wasn't too good. It looks like the time for me to get involved again is now"

Next: Kim