Well, It's almost done! I really appreciate all the reviews this story has received. I hope the end doesn't disappoint… please let me know… Warning: Violent death near the end.

And the usual Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in Kim Possible. I created the character of Daichi portrayed in this story…

The Power Within

The two heroes slowly walked towards Daichi as he stood near the edge of the courtyard. He slowly backed up as they advanced on him. When Kim and Ron reached the edge, they split up, going to opposite sides of their intended target.

"How DARE you leave in the middle of a fight!" Daichi began as he started to charge his hands with energy.

"How dare us? US?" Kim started to say, as tendrils of energy danced across her body, and she began to circle around, Ron mirroring her every move. "You took my cousin and used her for bait. You have used Yori in ways I don't even want to know. I'm sure Sensei has some interesting things to say about you as well! How dare… YOU!"

On her last word, Kim's eyes flared with energies only previously seen by Gods and Goddesses. She continued. "You are an evil, manipulative… DEVIL! You… are… an ASS!"

While Kim was getting worked up, Ron was just watching. Inside him, his Power was straining to be released. He could feel it yearning to get out, but he was holding it down. He feared what it could do if he just… let go.

Suddenly, a voice entered his head. It was Sensei. Do not be afraid, Ron-san. Control the Power. Use it. I know you can. I have faith in you.

Suddenly Daichi did something no one was expecting. He threw out his hands, and a band of energy lashed out at Kim like whip! It wrapped itself around her, and she screamed out in pain!

"That's ENOUGH!" Ron yelled at Daichi, the full power coming forth into Ron's body. He began to glow a bright bluish-white in color, and the Lotus Blade appeared in his right hand, glowing with the same energy. He began to advance on Daichi.

"Any closer and she dies!" Daichi said, and enforced his words by throwing more energy through the connection, making Kim yell in pain again. Ron couldn't stand seeing Kim suffer like she was. She didn't deserve it. All this was happening because of him. If he hadn't been so… amorous that evening, if he didn't have the Power in the first place, she wouldn't be going through the torment he was seeing now.

Then a voice started in his head. It was crackling, like a poorly tuned AM radio station. The voice was faint and weak, but yet it was strong. It was Kim! Do what you must Ron! static Don't worry about me! No matter what you do, I will always Love You! static Listen to sensei!

"Drop the sword!" Ron stood there, doing nothing. "I said, Drop it!" Kim twisted in agony again, trying hard not to scream out in pain.

Ron dropped the sword, and slowly stepped backwards. "Ron… NN…NO!" Kim forced out of her mouth.

Daichi kept the energy connection to Kim continuous with one hand, and used the other to call the Lotus Blade to him. It left the ground and flew into his grip. "You are nothing without this!"

Tendrils of energy shot out of his eyes, and struck the blade, causing it to glow brighter than ever, and it suddenly fell out of his hand in a pile of glowing dust. Slowly the glow died down, and the only thing left of the Lotus Blade was a pile of rust. A small breeze began to blow it across the hardened earth. A tear fell out of Ron's eye, Kim lowered her head, and Sensei, seeing all this play out, bowed his head. Rufus fainted and fell back down inside Ron's pocket

"What… have you… done?" Ron said, his jaw dropped at the site of what had become of the Lotus Blade. He felt he had lost a part of himself. Something more than a family member, more than a body part. It was as if a part of his Soul had been removed and destroyed.

"I have now defeated you." Daichi said triumphantly.

A voice started in Ron's head again, as Daichi pulled the energy band back into himself that he was holding Kim with. He did it with ferocity, causing Kim to yell in pain one last time, and she fell in a heap. Ron immediately went to her, kneeling at her side. She slowly sat up, rubbing her temples trying to clear her head.

Sensei spoke in his thoughts again… Ron-san, The Blade is not the Power, but the Power is the Blade. This Power resides in you. Remember, all strength comes from within. Daichi does not realize this. He uses the Power as you would a hammer. Become the Power. Let it become you. Only then will you have achieved… everything. You are ready. I have faith in you.

"I do too, Ron." Kim said weakly. Sensei's voice was in her head also.

Ron slowly stood in front of Daichi, who had been standing over the two with his arms crossed. His face was smug with perceived victory.

Ron clasped his hands in front of himself, and bowed his head. "Yes, bow to me…" Daichi said.

Inside Ron, something changed. His mind opened to so many possibilities. He felt, infinite. He felt, peace. He felt, Powerful. He could feel the energy in everything around him, and he could feel himself rising above it all. He felt as if he was becoming one with the universe. He opened his eyes to look at Daichi.

As Daichi was watching Ron bow to him, (or so he thought) he began to think… Something isn't… quite… right… here. Then Ron opened his eyes.

Gasping, Daichi suddenly stepped back, with a look of horror on his face. Where Ron's eyes should be, it was as if a vast space of time, energy, and thought were packed into the small orbs of his head.

Ron raised his hands, and energy began to slowly be pulled from Daichi's body. Painfully. He twisted in agony and fear. There was nothing he could do, as every bit of The Power that had resided inside him, down to the genetic level was being ripped from him! All of the negative energy that was his being was wrenched from his very soul. He was no longer an opposite. He was no longer a threat, to anyone.

The energy that Ron had pulled from Daichi swirled around his body in its characteristic bluish-black color. Slowly, it began to change. The black became white, and it melded with the energy that had started to flow from Ron. It all then slowly flowed back into Ron's body, entering just above the solar plexus. His eyes closed as it melded with him.

Daichi fell to his knees, weakened by the onslaught. Ron stood there for a few seconds, swaying as if he might suddenly fall. Kim quickly stood, and placed a hand under his arm as Ron slumped, as if his body was spent.

His brown eyes opened to see the worried green eyes of his girlfriend. "Ron… are you OK?" Ron groaned, raising a hand to his temple.

"I've got the worst headache, Kim."

"I wonder why…" Kim said sarcastically.

The two walked towards the edge of the courtyard, where everyone else was still grouped. Joss had not seen anything, as Sensei had blocked her view. There was no way a pre-teen's mind could wrap itself around what had just transpired. Besides, she was helping Yori to her feet, who had just regained consciousness. She was using the ¼ staff that Joss had used earlier, as a crutch to help stand. The spear blade still attached to the end.

Just before Kim and Ron reached the group, Yori suddenly stood straight, hefted the staff, and threw it like a javelin right at Ron!

He ducked, and it flew over him, striking Daichi in the head, entering through his mouth! He stood there in shock while his hand was still raised with a small knife that he was going to plunge into Ron's back. The handle of the spear stuck out from his mouth, the tip of the blade slightly protruding from the back of his head, blood flowing from the corners of his mouth.

Kim and Ron both quickly stepped away from this ghastly sight, and Daichi stumbled forward and fell face first. The handle of the spear struck the ground, and drove it all the way through his head. He lay there, twitching as the spear was standing straight out of the back of his head, covered in blood, and white stuff, most likely parts of his brain. They all quickly looked away, and Joss retched at what she had just witnessed.

The entire group of six (that includes Rufus), walked out of the main gates of Yamanouchi as a full moon rose over the peaks of a far off mountain range.

"Ronald-san," Sensei began. "I must speak with you immediately, and in private."

"Is it OK if everyone else meets us at the bridge?" Ron asked.

"Yes, that is fine." The two went to a stone bench on the side of the trail, and the rest went on to the bridge. Sitting down, Ron asked if everything was OK.

"Everything is fine. In fact, more than fine. You see, Ronald-san, you have become even more powerful than I ever expected. You have advanced so far, and so fast. Only one other has ever attained so much in so little time."

"You." Ron said, not as a question, for he knew the answer.

"Yes, my son. But…"

Ron looked down at his feet. "I knew it, a downside."

"It depends on how you look at it, my son. You see, it was all three of you, Kimberly-san, Rufus-san, and yourself that defeated Daichi."

"What about Yori?" Ron started. He didn't want to count her out.

"Regrettably, the Power was not in him at the time. She only killed the host. All this power that now resides in you is too much for one individual to control and contain." He paused and took a breath.

Sensei continued. "With great Power, comes great responsibility. You now have three choices, and you must make a decision within the hour."

Ron steeled himself, took a deep breath, and asked, "What are the choices?"

"One, the Power may be split three ways between Kimberly-san, Rufus-san, and yourself. Two, You yourself can keep it all, but then you would leave this plane of existence and become like a God. Three, you can refuse it completely, and you would be as you were before."

"If I pick the third, where does the Power go?"

"Wise question. It would go back into the universe to be given to another when the time comes. But that does not mean it would be used for Good. Do you accept these as your choices?"

Ron paused, but only slightly. "Yes, I accept these as my choices."

"Within the hour from this point on, you must make your final decision. Do not even ask what would happen if you do not choose. That has never happened before."

Ron suddenly wished he hadn't forgotten the duffels in the courtyard. Just after he thought this, they appeared at his feet. He wasn't surprised, and he reached down, and checked the watch attached to the strap of Kim's. An hour to decide on the fate of me, and the two I love the most in this world. No pressure… none at all.

Ron picked up the duffels as they stood, and joined the group, with Sensei at his side.

As they walked down the trail towards the main road all were talking, and laughing as if nothing had happened. Kim noticed there was a deep worry behind Ron's eyes, but she didn't ask him what was wrong.

One more chapter and it's done… Hope this didn't come too fast, I'm not sure how I could have stretched it out. Hopefully any final questions you have will be answered in the final chapter…