It was almost lunch time when Kim and Ron woke up.
'Last night was… interesting', Ron yawned.
'Yeah… It was'
The two of them went to the courtyard. They saw Sensei sitting under a large oak tree. Sensei saw the two and greeted 'Good Morning… well, suffice to say Good afternoon'
'Good afternoon too, Master Sensei'
Sensei looked up the tree as though searching for something and his voice broke, 'we must prepare for Yin's arrival young Stoppable… This year marks the thousand years enlisted in the prophecy'
'So, when exactly does the prophecy say about the time of his arrival?'
'It said as the blue month dies… but even I myself cannot figure it Stoppable-Kim', Sensei said. 'What I do know is that his year of re-ascension is now', he continued. 'We must prepare ourselves young Stoppables Yin will rise more powerful than ever before… The reemergence of the three circles says so, those circles were meant keep you in the Mediterranean.'
'The temple… Where is it? You did say that Jhoira imprisoned him in a temple right?'
'The temple is somewhere at the bottom of the neighboring mountains… however its exact location is unknown because Yin buried it before his imprisonment and Jhoira closed the temple after she has imprisoned him and only she knew the way to it. A thousand years made a burden to those who seek the lost temple of Yin'
'So we're in complete loss of the temple', Ron asked.
'I'm afraid so… but let's keep it out of our minds, It's time for a little lunch'
Sensei and Ron we're talking at the corridor when they went across the school's courtyard. Kim vanished earlier. Ron didn't know where she was until now. He saw her sparring against Yori, Hirotaka, Zen and Yu. She had already mustered all the sixteen styles of kung-fu during her college years.
'Come here', Kim said abrublty.
Hirotaka charged her. But she jumped at his back causing his head to hit the floor while Kim evaded an incoming punch from Zen. Zen and Yu charged at her each of them coming from his right and left respectively. Kim leapt to the air forming an aerial kick sending the two sliding from the door. Yori was the last one standing. . Yori gave Kim a kick at the side that should have at least rendered her down, but she was able to perform a three hundred and sixty degree flip and gave Yori a kick right oh her belly that caused her to slide at the courtyard. Yori was now flat on his back.
'Why don't you give it a try young Stoppable', Sensei said to the watching Ron.
'What…Me?!... I dunno Sensei, maybe Kim might uh… how should I say this… KICK MY BUTT!!!'
Sensei smiled. 'You have great powers in you young Stoppable, Yang chose because you are strong. Haven't you unlocked your Mystical Monkey Power five years ago? The both of you are the chosen ones. You now own and the Mystical Monkey Power and all its hidden capabilities. Your bond with her makes you equal. You and Kim are equal bonded by something so special that even the greatest of evil cannot break… Your bond will make you strong above all others… So young Ron go to her you will see that she is waiting'
'Well, yes I have the Mystical Monkey Power. I just thought that Kim is stronger'
'It's just your fear young Stoppable. You are equal bonded by the love you share. No go Ron'
'Thanks Sensei, that really gave some confidence'
Sensei just smiled as Ron went toward Kim who was now helping Yori.
'That was painful', Yori commented as Kim helped her up.
'Sorry 'bout that'
'It is fine Stoppable-Kim… It is an honor to fight you whether it is victorious or not'
Yori was now going to the courtyard's edge about to join the company of Hirotaka, Zen and Yu. Kim gave a glance at her side and saw Rom coming to her.
'Where have you been?'
'Oh… I'm just talking with Sensei', he said coolly. 'I see you've mastered your 16-styles of kung-fu'
Kim blushed and looked at him. 'Why don't you give it a go, then Ronald? It's been awhile since our last mission', she said as she went into her fighting stance. Rom smiled as he himself went into his own fighting stance.
'I'm a little rusty, Kim '
'Oh. Please you already have the Mystical Monkey Power in you'
It wasn't that long before Ron was flat on his back, easily subdued by Kim's punch.
'Oh…Ron you really need some practice… even if you've unlocked your Mystical Monkey Powers'
'Nah… I said I'm a little rusty', he said as his necklace gave a little blue glow that no one noticed as it fainted almost instantly.
Kim reached her arms at Ron to help him up. Ron reached her arm and pulled her down so that she faced him. Ron turned her over and said 'fancy meeting you here'. 'Oh…you!!!', she yelled as Yori, Hirotaka, Zen, Yu and Sensei began to watch. Ron rose up and again went into fighting stance and so did Kim.
'So Kim let's try this one more time'
'Fine with me'
Kim charged him, her fist solidly aimed at his face, but to her surprise Ron dodged it by simply moving a small step on the left. Ron in turn gave her a punch on the side in which she replied with a side flip. Ron performed a backward tumbling his feet aimed at her belly, but missed her by an inch in mid-air. Kim was amazed; Ron was now fighting her elegantly. Another series of attacks and another series of evasions, they were doing it good. All the audiences except Sensei were left open-mouthed. It was almost like a dance, both moving in unison, dodging, punching and kicking yet never landing a fatal blow. Ron made a punch so fast that it hit Kim hard, but made him vulnerable to her incoming kick. The two felt each other blows quite painfully as they were both sliding in the courtyard but unlike Yori, they were standing. This was followed by the viewers' applause.
'Time…Out….', Ron tried to yell as much as he can after the fight.
'Right…back…at cha.' her voice as weak as his.
Sweat poured out from the both of them. They we're fighting like for almost an hour. They walked toward the small oak tree where they saw Sensei earlier and sat under its shady leaves. Ron took a towel and two bottles of water from the side of the courtyard; apparently the courtyard was also the training ground of the students of Yamanouchi and that towels and water we're always at hand.
'Here', Ron handed her the bottle.
'Thanks'
They both drank. The cold water gave pleasure at their almost dry throats.
'Ron… How did you do that, that punch was really painful?'
'I dunno… It just came out, anyway that kick made me top off'
Kim started to massage her back muscles; apparently Yori made it sore earlier.
'Oh… that does hurt?'
'Quite'
'Well, let me handle that'
She closed her eyes as she sighed. She felt the sore muscles relax as his fingers traveled down her shoulder. The soreness slowly faded away as he slowly worked over her upper arm and back. Kim gave an almost silent moan.
'Ron you massage as good as you cook.'
'Yeah, I know'
Sensei followed them and sat down.
'I've told you Ron… your bond is strong'
'Yeah, I know Sensei but how did I?'
Sensei silenced him. 'Ronald, two lotuses made it so. The reason why you've suddenly become great at sixteen or should I say seventeen styles of kung-fu is because of the Lotus Blade and Blossom. They created a bond between you and Kim. Kim also has the Mystical Monkey Power together with the ancient art of monkey kung fu and you've become a master of all the sixteen styles that she knew, just like Yang and Jhoira. That is why you are equal, young Stoppables. The bond you share is special. I believe the two of you will fulfill prophecy and will silence Yin once and for all'
Sensei then took out some herbs from his pocket and gave it to them.
'Here young Stoppables you'd better rest… These will ease the pain that you've sustained'
They took the herbs and placed it in their wounds. Ron looked at his wound and saw that it was almost healed. 'That was fast'
'Yes, here in Japan Ron-san we find health to be the most precious… I'll better leave you now… I still have matters to attend to before the sun sets… and please rest.'
Sensei left and Ron continued massaging Kim.
'So Kim is that all better?'
'Yup…it does'
'What do you want to do next?'
'I don't know but I sure can use a little snack. That fight really hurt'
Kim and Ron stood up and headed to the kitchen.
'Kim?'
'Yes, Ron'
'I'm just wondering about what Sensei had said.'
'So what about it'
'You see when I use the Mystical Monkey Power I have a strange feeling inside that assures me that I'm using it'
'You mean like a small tumble in your chest when you use it'
'Yeah… but how did you know?'
'Well, you can say that I've used it about an hour ago'
He smiled at her. 'So this really means that…'
'I can't answer that Ron, but yes I do believe Sensei'
It was a fine cold evening in Yamanouchi. Kim was just outside their room admiring the place's peaceful surroundings; she was sitting on an old wooden bench just below the shadow of a dead oak's tree. Ron was about to go to their room and saw Kim on the gardens. He was not feeling sleepy and decided to join her. 'Fine evening isn't it'
'Yeah' she gave a sigh. 'Ron?' she said as she leaned on him.
'Yes… Kim?' Ron placed his hands around her waist.
'Do you think we will survive? I mean we never faced something as big as this'
Ron thought of the events three years ago; the invasion of Theonus, the event that almost destroyed the world.
'Theonus seems a lot worse', his voice was trying to be as optimistic as possible.
'Yes… but this time it's not just about the world anymore and… It's about us…and I don't want to lose you', she started to burst into tears wetting his shirt. 'Oh Ron... I wish we can just be a regular married couple'.
'Kim' he said as he hugged her. 'I will never let that happen. Kim, I love you with all my heart and I promise you I wouldn't let that happen… Kim you mean everything to me, I fear what will happen too but we can be strong'.
Kim was now feeling a little better he looked at her friend, her best friend and husband. 'Ron, I love you too…' Ron looked at her, a smile formed in his face and she pulled him for a deep and passionate kiss.
'Feeling better Kim'
Kim was still giving a few tears, 'uhmmm… yes Ronald I do'. She then wiped the tears around her eyes as stopped crying. She placed her head on her shoulder.
'Ron… I wanted to spend as much of my time with you'
'Me too Kim, me too… So what are you looking around here anyway?'
'Oh… nothing… I'm just spending some time admiring the beautiful pine trees'
Ron looked up the sky 'Well, we sure do have a beautiful full… hold on isn't it a full moon just four weeks ago? At the start of the month…'
'Yeah, there was a full moon. Why are you asking?'
'Kim don't get me wrong but isn't the second month's full moon is called a blue moon'
'Ron. I can't see where this is going'
'Think Kim… about the prophecy'
'as the blue month dies…', She gasped.
'Yes, Kim we have a blue moon. The only month that has one, it's still the 29th and the month is'
'gonna die', she finished his sentence.
'Ron! We've got to tell this to Sensei, he must know', but as she said these words. There was a big bang and smoke began to fill the night sky.
'What the?!', Ron gasped.
Kim and Ron ran to the courtyard, the smoke seemed to come from that part of the school. Sensei, Yori and Hirotaka was in the middle seemed to be frozen stiff as they saw the ancient building crushed.
'Oh! No! Someone knew its location'
'Location of what?' Ron asked.
The smoke started to part the tattered building. Its carapaces were obliterated. The ancient school fell apart. Standing in front the debris was a man with black hair, his deep eyes was reflected by the moon's gaze, his hands glowing with a yellow orb. Ron looked at the figure, his eyes widened his voice became filled with terror and said 'Monkey Fist'
'Ah… the cheer squad… It's been quite a while' he said as he drew a sword from his side.
'The Black Lotus', Sensei gasped.
'Yes… you relic my new master has great need of it'
'Hirotaka, get the students out of here…', but as he said that. Monkey Fist jumped eight feet into the air and slammed the sword into the ground. Immediately a crack began to form from the swords' end toward Sensei.
'Yori, get Sensei out of here, he is badly injured. Hirotaka you get the students to safety. Ron and I will take care of Monkey Fist'
'Take care of me? Ms. Possible… I don't think that will be easy', Monkey Fist slammed the ground.
A statue emerged from it. The statue was a beast with a hawk's head and feet. Its body definitely resembled a dragon; it was holding a morning star. Monkey fist clapped and the beast came to life and grew wings losing of every trace of it being a stone. The sight was amazing at the same time horrifying. The beast raised its morning star and slammed it to the place where Kim and Ron are. But the two were fast and was able to dodge the attack.
'Okay…' Kim said with high tone 'One… I am now a Stoppable and Two… that pet of yours is going down.'
'You married the buffoon? I pity you Mrs. Stoppable… but I must better be going my master is in need of his sword… and you' his attention pointed to the beast 'finish them'.
'Oh you're not going away that easy', Ron was about to ran at Monkey Fist who was now climbing over the schools high walls, he was almost there when the beast stood between them. He was forced to go back and the next thing he knew, Monkey Fist had left.
'Ron, let's deal with this first'
'Fine'
At that precise moment Kim and Ron's necklaces became two swords of equal length, Kim jumped high and kicked the beast at the chin while Ron started to sway his sword around its feet. The beast was furious it breathed fire at almost every spot it saw Kim or Ron. Moments later the school was in fire. Ron transformed his sword into a scythe with a chain and hurled it at the beast neck. Kim transformed hers into a giant hammer, and she slammed it at the beast chest. The beast was screaming in agony that its wings spread out. The beasts eyes became red and its morning star was now glowing in slammed the ground that so hard that the school almost fall the edge of the mountain its standing. Kim hands now glow in glorious blue. She aimed a beam of pure blue energy at the beast's head. The beast took it painfully as its left ear was now torn off. Ron was trying to subdue the beast with his scythe but the beast overpowered him and threw him using his own scythe. Ron was now in mid-air. He took the lotus blade as it transformed into a shield. Ron quickly dropped on the beast head, he was now sliding on its back, he performed a tumbling while his shield became a sword he took a swipe at the beast wings and it feel down hard at the ground. Kim was aiming at the beast, but the beast was able to take the sword away from her and with a swipe of its hand it drove Kim down. Kim fell to the floor, she looked at the beast. Ron saw the beast raise its morning star and aimed at Kim. Ron pinned the blade at the creatures arm and it gave a painful cry; its blow never made.
'Call the Blossom', he yelled.
'What?'
Ron jumped and threw Kim away from him so that they both evaded the beast's fiery punch.
'If you also have the Mystical Monkey Power you can call your sword. I on the other hand, can't it's stuck on the beasts arm'
'Fine', she said. Kim concentrated; she felt the surge of power within her. Something she has never felt before. Her sword flew from the sky and she caught it jumping 5 feet into the air. Kim's eyes grew blue; she saw Ron fell from the beast as he tried to get his sword. The beast then got his claws at Ron. Kim saw the beast threw Ron around the air. Ron was facing the ground. He was trying to get up and the beast raised its morning star toward him about to hit him.
Then from nowhere Kim yelled. 'This is enough!' a spirit of the blue fox came from her sword. It was as big as the beast itself. The beast's attention left Ron and turned to Kim. Kim leapt towards the beast's chest, her eyes in true blue. Her hand was now glowing. He stabbed the beast right into its heart. The beast gave a painful cry and the blue fox suppressed it, suddenly the crack that Monkey Fist made earlier grew even larger. The beast returned to stone its red eyes became as dank as grey as it fell into the ground from which it came.
'Ron', Kim yelled running to her lover. 'Are you all right'
'I've been better.'
'C'mon we got to find Yori and Sensei; we must tell them what happened'
Kim and Ron went away from the burning school they can still smell the smoke coming from it. They started to venture out on the dark wilderness.
'Where are they?', Kim asked.
'I don't know but we should keep moving'
They were now scurrying at the forest. The forest was dead silent. They can't hear anything except the rustling of the dry leaves in their footsteps. It was dark and the only through the moon's face did they see their way. They heard a crash in the ground, followed by the movement of dead leaves.
'Just an owl', Ron whispered so silent that Kim could barely hear him.
Kim turned and saw the owl's silhouette. It seemed to be feeding on a dead rat.
'Come on, we better keep moving'.
They hurried for another twenty or thirty feet. They had entered the darker part of the woods. The thick trees were now blocking the moon's light. The place was still. The two lotuses again became necklaces. Ron's necklace began to glow and so did Kim's.
'At least we have some lights', Ron muttered optimistically.
The tow of them heard something in the trees, they turned around but no one was there. They kept on moving and still heard something in the trees as though someone is following them. In courage Kim yelled 'who are you?!' hoping that no one was there.
'Do not shout Kim Stoppable. It is I Yori'
'Oh… I thought it could be someone else'
Yori came down from the tree and went near them so that the feeble light coming from their necklaces was able to illuminate her face.
'We must move with haste, Sensei is at the river alone'
'Why did you leave him? Isn't he injured?'
'He is, Ron Stoppable. But do not worry yourself, Sensei is in safety. He insisted that I should look for you. He feared you got lost in the woods.'
They started to go deeper into the woods. The light from their necklaces seemed to fade as the trees became thicker. They seem to have walked a mile before hearing the river's flow.
They were now leaving the woods. The moonlight became stronger and they soon saw the river's clear waters as it reflected the nightly sky. Ron went out first, followed by Kim, then by Yori. They saw Sensei standing near the water. His eyes affixed at the moon's bright face.
'The prophecy', he started 'pertains to this day young Stoppables'
'Hold the phone', Ron said 'We thought you were injured'
Sensei smiled at him. 'I always carry a bag of herbs just for such an occasion'
'The day or should say night', Kim interrupted 'really pertains to this day, Ron figured it out back in Yamanouchi before', Kim bit her lower lip 'Monkey Fist destroyed'
'It's destroyed', Sensei slim eyes became at their fullest.
'Yes, but… but do not worry it's not your fault'
Sensei gave a tear. 'No. Kim, it is my fault. I hid the Black Lotus in my school. I should have destroyed it months ago'
'But why'd you keep it?' Kim asked.
Sensei sat near the water's edge and sighed. 'That artifact was founded three months ago by the team I hired to seek the long lost temple of Yin. As I have said, I know that Yin is about to return. I found that in a small ancient village buried in some old cave. I held one of the most powerful artifacts in the land. I cannot simply destroy it. It's a sign of power. It's valuable, evil yes, but still my own selfishness got me. I had to keep it safe. The team saw me grew dark and abandoned the expedition. I had myself overcome by the stories of the sword's foretold power. I never thought that it will come like this; I never thought that he'll ever find it.'
He paused.
'Kim, Ron, please forgive me. I should have told you about the prophecy six years ago. And now, I let your opponent become stronger because of my selfish acts.'
'How powerful is the Black Lotus?'
'Very, very powerful Stoppable-Ron. It can release the great three evils, one of them you have already fought.'
'You mean the beast?', Kim said in amazement.
'Yes that was the evil of fire. It is the weakest among the three. Death and Chaos would require the blade to be unlocked.'
'The weakest?', Kim murmured.
'Yes, the weakest.' There was silence.
'So where is Yin?'
'He must be in the temple of the Yin; the ritual requires a place to unleash the great evils'
'And where is this temple?'
'Sorry to say Ron, but we never found the location. As I have said the others have abandoned the expedition.'
'So you don't know where it is?'
'No Kim. I do not. Another I ask forgiveness off'
'So how on earth are we going to find it?'
'Maybe I can help'
A man with black hair, his face tattered, fell down from a tree but hit the ground standing.
'Monkey Fist!', Kim exclaimed as the four of them went into fighting stance.
'How dare you show your face here, when you've brought my school to ashes' Sensei for the first time in the evening spoke with such a high voice.
But Monkey Fist didn't move, he continued to stare at the four waiting for an attack that doesn't seem to come. He closed his eyes and sat down.
'Yin is a traitor', he started. 'After I returned the blade, he ripped me from the Yono and my spirit is torn'
True enough the orb of the Yono has fled from his hands. Monkey Fist opened his eyes he saw the four lowering their stances.
'Yin thrown me off the temple, he banished me. My powers were ripped. I have nothing left.'.
The next thing he knew, Ron punched him causing him to hit the tree from which he fell.
'That is for Sensei's school'
Monkey Fist stood; he raised his head, his tattered face fixed upon Ron. He quietly wiped the dust from his clothes as though he was once again the respectful archeologist.
'Take as much punches as you want. It does not matter anymore to me. Yin shattered my dream; I can no longer hope for a future. The Yono has taken it away from me. I am now only a man, who spent everything he has for nothing more but a mere monkey's hand.'
There was a pause.
'Now', Monkey Fist started. 'I know what I have done. It was only for my gain, what I am saying now is that Yin will obliterate the world unless the portal will be prevented from being opened'
'What portal?', Ron demanded an answer.
'The Black Lotus is a key, Ron Stoppable… He plans to unearth the three great evils or should I say two as Fire has been defeated… Yono, the destroyer, is one of his pets. The scroll was originally written by Yin and it was thought that only he can unearth him. That is why the Yono followed me, it thought that I was Yin.'
'Why are you helping us?'
'Revenge, Ms. Possible or should I say Mrs. Stoppable'
'We should start by looking for the temple', Kim said.
'The temple is the ancient temple of the wise sages and not Yin's temple. He loathed the place of his imprisonment. If you want to find the temple follow me'
'And how do we know that this isn't a trap?'
'I have nothing left, Ron. And right now, I want to do something to repay my old deeds. It is up to you whether to trust me or not. But before you decide, let me ask. What is much more important me or Yin's downfall? For now, I really don't care what will happen to me.'
Ron looked to Kim then to Sensei and he spoke, 'We do not have much of a choice young Stoppables'
The couple nodded. 'We'll trust you Monkey Fist, for now. But if this is a trap, I swear you'll see a fate worse than this!', Ron told him with a hoarse voice.
Monkey Fist for the first time in the evening smiled at them.
'Don't make me laugh, Ron Stoppable. There is absolutely no fate worse than this'
Monkey Fist started to move towards the other side of the river.
'Come on, the temple is still a long walk away and we should have been half-way if we didn't have this chat'