Chapter IX: Petals and Blossoms

Ron fell to his knees. He was now touching the ground, the gilded lotus still clenched in his fist. The golden hue in his eyes faded.

'Huh? What the!', he started to remember where he was. He remembered fighting Yin then…then.

'Kim!' he yelled. He ran towards his love.

'Kim… Kim…', he was in tears. 'Speak to me Kim! Speak to me!'

But Kim didn't answer, she seems was there, smiling, but no part of her body was moving. There was no breath, no heartbeat.

'Kim…Oh… Kim!' his tears reached his chin. 'Don't leave me Kim…please… I love you!'

Suddenly he saw an ethereal figure approach them. He knew the figure. It was Yang. Yang opened his hands and reached Kim. He was smiling as though he was expecting a good thing from what happened. Ron was puzzled, he knew what happened. His mind went wandering. Slowly, something ethereal from Kim reached for his hands. It was another ethereal figure; it wasn't Kim. It was someone else, yet she looked so close to her. Ron's mind was in complete emptiness of the events.

'What's … what's…going on', Ron looked the ethereal beings. He felt he was going mad.

Then with shock, the female figure answered him.

'Thank you, young Stoppable. You have released us from our curse. I am Jhoira. You have fulfilled the prophecy.'

Ron went from her face to Kim.

'Will…' Ron voice sounded like dead hope 'Will… Kim live? Please tell me that she will live!'

Jhoira smiled at Ron. 'The Gilded Lotus young Stoppable', she asked.

Ron looked around. He saw the golden lotus blade clenched in his sweaty hand and with no assurance of Kim's life he gave it to them.

'It's time', Jhoira told Yang who smiled at her.

'So it is'

They both held the golden lotus blade. Slowly, the blade became a flower.

'It is blooming Jhoira'

'It really is the time'

Jhoira whirled the blossoming flower. Its petals flew to Kim's wound. Slowly healing it, slowly rejuvenating the tattered flesh exposed to the evil blades of the Black Lotus.

Ron looked at Kim. Kim slowly opened her eyes. Ron's tearful face started to smile. He hugged her at the sight of her eyes opening.

'Oh….' Kim moaned. 'Ron, not so tight… It… it still hurts'

'Oh… uh… Sorry, Kim'

Kim looked up and saw the female ethereal figure.

'So this is Jhoira?' Kim said.

'Yes', Jhoira answered 'Do not worry, Kim you will soon be healed'. She smiled.

'So… so what happened to Yin?' Ron asked as he let Kim lay on his legs.

'He will be there trapped for all eternity young Stoppables', he sighed 'and the time has come too… for me and Jhoira to rest. A thousand years is long even for a spirit to travel.'

The moment he had said this; a light came from above the chamber. It formed something like a doorway. Kim and Ron looked at it. It was a scene of the clouds where they can see the sun about to set.

'We'll better be off', Jhoira said.

'So….I guess this is it?' Ron asked.

'I guess so', Yang answered.

Jhoira and Yang started to be lifted to the light from above. Kim became a little worried.

'Do not worry young Kim', Jhoira said. 'I promise… no…we promise', she looked to Yang then turned to Kim and Ron. 'That you will live normal lives. There will be no more missions, no more villains. You can finally have a great family'.

Kim and Ron smiled then look at the two. 'For real?'

'For real. Think of it as our wedding gift to you and please don't tell anyone that you actually saw us'

Kim and Ron nodded. Jhoira and Yang was about to reach the source of the light, the doorway that seemed to be heaven, when Sensei and Yori reached the chamber's door. He wasn't able to get in; apparently some of Yin's enchantments were still at large.

'Ron!!!' he yelled. 'Get out of there. The place is going down!'

Ron looked up. Jhoira and Yang was not anymore in the sight. He surveyed the place; it was indeed going down. Ron stood up, carrying Kim. He went to the door and Yin's enchantment finally fell.

'Come on!' Ron said.

The three of them ware now running, running for their lives; Kim was still carried by Ron. They headed for the chamber; Kim and Ron saw the demon in shattered stone. Sensei noticed them.

'There's no time for that… Run now… Story later!'

'Oh….uh…. right'

They headed for the entranceway, back to the old simian mouth. They made it in time as the temple was buried into the ground. They noticed there were a lot of ashes around it. Then Ron remembered his arch foe.

'Uhmmm… where's Monkey Fist?'

'I do not know Ron', Yori answered.

Ron carried Kim in his back.

'Fine, back there Kim?'

'Yeah, I'm fine'

It was a beautiful morning for Kim and Ron with the thought that they will finally live the life they want to have. Unknown to them, there was someone watching them. They were already far from the temple when a man started to talk.

'I never knew they had it in them, Yono'

'You should be thankful that they did defeat Yin, otherwise we'll fight those infernal statues forever. Until we're consumed by Death'

'Right', Monkey Fist said sarcastically 'By the way, why'd you let me be defeated by Hana five years ago?!'

Yono laughed. 'Let's just say. You're kind of a "stone" back then'

'I beg your pardon'

'I meant "stone-hearted"', he said laughing.

'Why you!!!', he ran towards him.

'Catch me if you can Monkey', he said as he ran away from Monkey Fist.

Back in Yamanouchi…

The four of them was in the gateway surprised to see the school clean and fixed as though nothing has happened.

'But…I thought', Ron said as his hands went down so that Kim could go down from his back.

Kim sided as though going to fall. Ron quickly supported her weight.

'You okay there sweetie'

Kim looked at him and stood firm. 'I'm fine. I can walk and Sweetie?'

'Well, you gave me quite a shock back there'

Kim pulled him for a kiss.

'Yah. But it just happened…so…so quick…'

'Anyway let's leave it at that'

Kim then massaged Ron's ached muscles, she knew Ron was tired in carrying her.

'Ah...Kim… you massage good too'

Hirotaka went into the school's gate as he saw them coming.

'Ah… Master Sensei', Hirotaka welcomed them. 'We have fixed as much as we can with the school.'

'That's fine', Sensei said abruptly. 'Is my office safe for conversation?'

'It has been fixed Master Sensei'

'Very well', his head turned to Yori 'You should better be getting some sleep'.

'Yes I should', she said yawning.

'Kim and Ron may I please see you in my office?'

The two nodded. They entered the school; most of the destruction that Monkey Fist laid last night was fixed. There were no longer the broken carapaces of the school. They walked along the wooden path and turned into Sensei's office. Sensei's office was small; the room was made in conjunction with the classic Japanese room. There was a window on the right of the door giving the great scent of the surrounding mountains. There was a small cabinet on the side; on top of it were different ornaments ranging from the smallest of a peasant carrying two pails of water attached to a stick on both ends mounted upon his back to the sight of a jade dragon symbolizing power and wisdom. There was a bonsai plant on Sensei's table. The place was simple with Sensei's wooden chair and two smaller chairs for visitors.

'Please sit down', he said as he himself sat down at his respective chair.

Kim and Ron slowly sat. They surveyed the table and there was nothing in it, except for the falling leaves from the bonsai tree. Sensei held up his hand and removed the bonsai leaves by sweeping them from the table and catching them with his free hand. He took the leaves and threw it at a small paper basket which was no doubt a garbage can.

'So, you defeated Yin, what happened to the two lotuses?'

Kim and Ron told Sensei what happened to Yin, but they remembered what Jhoira and Yang told them as they saw them went to the heavens.

'Yin fell back to the portal… I kicked him hard and he fell back to the portal… right Kim'

Kim was puzzled. She didn't exactly saw what happened, but she replied. 'Oh… yeah… Ron kicked him hard causing him to fall to the portal'

'I see, and what happened to the two lotuses'

'They…', Kim started to breathe a little heavy. She didn't know what to say. Ron sensed that she might not give him a satisfying answer.

'You okay there Kim?' He gave her a little wink.

'It… it still stings', she lied just to keep Sensei from noticing. She had said that Yin kicked her causing her side to bruise and Ron was the one who defeated Yin because she is lying on the chamber's floor hurt.

'They were taken by Yin', Ron faced Sensei.

'Taken by Yin?'

'Yeah, he took the three artifacts. But there was something about the Lotus blade and blossom that he cannot control, and then suddenly the blossom and the blade became one, becoming what Yin called the Gilded Lotus. Then a golden dragon emerged upon it. The dragon went to Yin causing him to be paralyzed, thus, I had the chance to kick him. He fell into the portal and it closed.'

'Is that it?' Sensei said with a voice of satisfaction.

'Yes, pretty much it'

'I see. Do you want to rest here for the evening?'

Kim and Ron looked at each other.

'Sensei… this has been nice and all, but Kim and I would really how should I say this…'

'Would like to go home', Kim finished his sentence.

'Fine with me', he said smiling. 'In the mean time you should settle yourselves for lunch. I can get the tickets and you can leave in the afternoon'

'Thanks Sensei you're the best'

The two went outside and headed for the kitchen as both of them hasn't ate anything since they went to the forest.

Sensei stood from his table and looked at the window. He closed his eyes for a moment and opened them again as though looking at something far.

'It is their right', he said to the clouds which were now hiding half of the sun's bright face.

'And I don't really care whether they lied or not. Yang has already revealed that in my dream that the three lotuses will be destroyed', he sighed.

He looked at the door. It was empty. He can still hear the busy students wrapping up the things that Monkey Fist did.

'I better help them', he said as he left the room and joined his students on cleaning up the school.

It was a beautiful afternoon in Yamanouchi. Kim and Ron had started packing for their flight just a little over an hour later.

'Finally, I can sleep on the flight', Ron yawned as he put the last of his shorts on the trunk.

'Yeah. Me too.'

Kim and Ron changed themselves to their casual clothes; apparently the maid had washed it for them while they were gone. Kim and Ron left the Kimono back on the shelf of their room's cabinet as they hurried down. Minutes later, they arrived at the school's front; in there was Sensei and Yori. Sensei smiled as he handed them the two tickets.

'Thanks', Ron muttered to Sensei.

'Oh… can we use a phone?' Kim asked.

'Of course'

Yori handed Kim the phone.

'Who are you gonna call?'

'Our folks, Ron… We should tell that we'll arrive later'

'Oh. Right'

The phone rang and Mrs.Dr.P. answered.

'Hello, who is this?'

'Hey mom, it's me Kim'

'Oh… so how's your honeymoon'

Kim looked at Ron. Ron also heard the question.

'There's something big that has happened and Ron and I is going to arrive home at around five or six'

'Oh… why dear? What happened?'

'We don't really want to talk about it… especially the fuss with the manager'

'Okay then. We should be waiting for you at Middleton International airport at around 5:30 and I'll bring Ron's folks too.'

'That'll be great'

'Bye-then dear'

'Bye too mom.'

She closed the phone and handed it back to Yori.

'Are you done Stoppable-Kim'

'Yes Yori I'm done with that'

'Soo… are we just gonna stay here or what?'

'Be patient young Stoppable-Ron', Sensei said, 'your transportation to the airport will arrive shortly'

Moments later a small car came. Ron loaded it with their luggage; it wasn't much just two large bags and a small bag that Kim carried around.

'Well, we better be off'

'So, you are Ron', Sensei said.

Kim and Ron waved goodbye to Sensei and Yori as they waved at them back. The car went into a series of bumps, it has been raining and the road wasn't that firm. They reached the airport at around three in the afternoon. Their driver was unloading their luggage.

'There', the driver sighed. 'Is there anything I miss?'

'Oh! Uhmm, none at all', Ron commented.

The driver went back to the car and zoomed off back to the province.

'Come on, Ron! They're already boarding the plane'

Kim and Ron boarded the plane. It was around quarter to four when the plane began to move.

'I'm sleeeeeepy Kim', Ron yawned. 'I'm gonna get some shut eye'

'Can I join you?' Kim also yawned.

'Yup'

Kim leaned on Ron's shoulder. Ron felt her head and leaned to her head. They felt the plane zoom off as the sun sinks allowing the stars to shine on the nightly sky.

It was around 6pm in Middleton when the plane arrived. Ron yawned as Kim also got up.

'Oh… that was a great snooze'

'Right back at cha', Kim's mouth opened wide as she gave a big yawn.

Kim and Ron left the plane and went to the arrivals section. They took their bags and headed down looking for their folks.

'That sleep was good… It was about 7-8 hours'

'Yeah… I don't feel that tired at all'

'Kim!'

Kim heard a familiar voice. Mrs. Possible was shouting at her waiving her hand.

'There they are', Kim told Ron who carried both the large bags in a metallic cart.

Kim and Ron headed to their parents as they started to hug their children. The six of them, the two Possibles and the four Stoppables, went into a van owned by Mr.Stoppable.

'So?! How was it', Mrs.Dr.P. asked.

'It was fine', Ron answered. 'Unless the manager cut you off'

'You should get your money back', Mr. Stoppable told him as he turned around the corner.

'We already have… There's a big fuss on the computer system and all… and yeah we feel kind of sad', Kim said.

'You can still have another trip…', Mrs. Stoppable tried to cheer them up. 'I mean there's still a lot more chances; I heard there's going to have a Niagara Falls tour on Sunday'

'Nah…', Ron answered her. 'We still have a lot of things to do… especially what are future's gonna be'

'What do you plan, Ronald'

'Well Mr.Dr.P, Kim and I were starting to think about opening a restaurant. She can manage and I can cook… after all I'm a cum laude at the culinary arts and she on business management'

'Sounds fabulous'

'Yes it does', Kim said to Mrs. Stoppable.

'Well, here we are'

Ron looked around. Indeed there was his house still magnificent. The three boys unloaded the van of Kim and Ron's baggage.

'Thanks, dad', Ron said.

'Don't mention it Ronald' and he started the car.

'Ahhhh…. Home sweet home'

'Sweet it is', Kim purred.

Kim and Ron opened the gate and the door. They dropped their luggage and went to the kitchen for a drink of water.

'Kim'

'Yeah'

'How about a date? It's been a long time since we've eaten at Bueno Nacho together'

Kim looked at him. He was serious. Her face formed a smile.

'Your treat?'

'Yup.'

'I'm good with it.

They left the house. They decided not to use Ron's car. Bueno Nacho wasn't that far from his home. They reached Bueno Nacho and sat far from the door.

'What are you gonna have Kim?'

'A chimurito and add Diablo sauce'

Ron smiled. 'I bet you can't handle with a plateful of Nachos'

'Nachos?'

'With Diablo sauce'

'Bring it… and I dare you', Kim looked at the counter 'I dare you to eat a chicken salad'

'A salad? No big'

'Wait. No beef, no nachos and especially no cheese and in grande size'

Ron thought for a moment on the consequences. He looked at her; she was expecting him to say 'no'. He was about to, but then thought 'Where's the fun in that'

Ron answered Kim with yes; startling her.

'Well, bring it Ronald'

Ron went to the counter and Ned greeted him.

'Welcome to Bueno Nacho, Ron, would you like the usual?'

'No. Ned I have a bet'

'So what'll it be?'

'A chicken salad Grande size'

'Do you want beef or cheese?

'No just that.'

'Okay, anything else?'

'Yes. A plateful of Nachos in Diablo sauce and chimirito extra Diablo sauce'

'You sure? That's a bit hot in the tongue'

'Never been more sure Ned, never been more sure'

Ned surveyed his order.

'Wait? No Nacos?'

'Yup, Ned. No Nacos.'

'That'll be $ 7.52'

'Here', Ron handed him the exact amount.

'Please wait'

Ned went to the back of the counter and pressed some buttons and Ron's order arrived.

'So there's the grande size chicken salad, the plateful and Nachos bathing in diablo sauce and chimirito'

'Where's the extra Diablo sauce? And can I have a fork?'

'Oh, here'

'Thanks'

'Thanks too and have a moi bueno day'

Ron went back to their seat.

'So Kim here's you nachos and chimirito with diablo sauce and here's my chicken salad... So let the munching begin'

Ron took his fork and started to eat some of the salad. He almost threw up; he wasn't that fond in eating vegetables without meat. But, he didn't show Kim that he doesn't like it although his face formed an awkward smile. Ron took a look at Kim who was fanning her mouth with her hands; he knew Kim wasn't fond of hot and spicy food. Ron smiled and thought 'this is ridiculous'.

'Kim…Uhmmm… do you want to exchange?'

Kim didn't hesitate and answered him yes.

'There that's better'

'A lot better.'

The two of them finished their meal and went out for a little walk. They were in the coast and looked at the beautiful night; they sat down a bench. Kim leaned on Ron and Ron placed his hands in her waist.

'Ron. Do you remember our first mission?'

'Yeah, why?'

'It may seem funny, but it was also the same night as this isn't it about 14-15 years ago?'

'Yup, the very same'

'And now were finally living the lives we thought that were going to have in a dream'

Ron looked at her ears.

'I see your still wearing the earrings I bought three years ago'

'And I see you still wearing the watch'

The both of them laughed. The seaside was apparently empty; there were no other people there except for those walking along the coast. They seemed to be looking for a little exercise before going to bed. Kim and Ron looked at each other. Their eyes were locked and soon were closed as Kim pulled Ron for a kiss.

'Ron…uhmm… let's go home'

'Read your mind Kim'

The two of them hurried home and reached it without much hesitation. Ron locked the doors.

'Ronnie…'

'yeah…'

Kim pinned him to the door giving him a lip lock that almost never ended.

'Mmmmm…', she purred as she broke the kiss.

Kim headed to the master's bedroom first and she gave flirtatious glances at her husband. Ron didn't wait and followed her. Ron saw Kim on the bed doing something that made him lock the door and growl 'Watch out Kim, the-Ron is coming'