Chapter 29: Answers from Japan

Kim called Wade to arrange for transportation. He was setting up a return trip for Sensei and Yori, as well as a return trip for Kim and Ron. Then the four humans, and one naked mole rat, returned to the facility and settled into what had once been a conference room. While there was no furniture, there were lights and heat to combat the oncoming night. Once settled, Master Sensei spoke.

"Miss Possible, you have stated that you feel that we owe you explanations. Stoppable-san has asked me to reveal what I determine to be appropriate. So I ask you, Miss Possible, what do you wish to know?"

Kim tried to remember her manners. "Sir, perhaps a general explanation is in order. I mean, first of all a Japanese schoolgirl shows up, out of the blue, asking my best friend and assistant for help. This schoolgirl turns out to be both very chummy with Ron and a highly skilled martial artist. We arrive here, where Monkey Fist raves about some Mystical Monkey Power that he's willing to dissect Ron to get hold of. Then my best friend since we were four is suddenly able to beat a surgically enhanced Kung-Fu master."

Master Sensei smiled. "I shall attempt to answer your questions, Miss Possible, but please be aware that I shall keep such secrets that I deem necessary." Kim nodded. "First of all, Miss Possible, I wish to know if you believe that all things in this world can be explained by science."

Kim thought this over. "I guess not," she finally admitted. "Both of my parents say that there are things that science just hasn't explained yet. Dad's more of the opinion that science will figure it out eventually, while mom thinks that some things will always be a mystery."

"Very well, your beliefs may make this easier." Sensei's eyes grew vague, as if he were looking beyond the room's walls. "There exist many spiritual influences, or powers, which cannot be measured by physical means. One of these is a benign influence, which we name the Mystical Monkey Power. We name it this because it's…manifestation is associated with the practice ofTai Sheng Pek Kwar, or Monkey Kung Fu."

"Centuries ago," the old man continued. "A most dishonorable man learned of this power and wanted to control it without mastering the discipline and integrity of a true adherent of Tai Sheng Pek Kwar. He spent many years discussing the aspects of the Mystical Monkey Power with all whom had…access to it." The old man sighed. "Those were more innocent times when the extraordinary was more accepted. Anyway, after this man had spent years studying the Mystical Monkey Power, he spent more years constructing icons, which he believed would grant him access."

Sensei's expression grew sad. "While he was successful in constructing the icons, he was disappointed with the results. You see, Miss Possible, the Mystical Monkey Power has a will as well as a presence and it resists being used for selfish and cruel ends. This man gained access to the power but only at the most limited level of bonding. Frustrated with his results, he sold the notes he had taken and the four icons he had created and faded into obscurity."

"Not many years ago, another man became obsessed with mastering Monkey Kung Fu. His obsession drove him to study under the greatest masters willing to instruct him and he coupled this obsession with his other great fixation, archeology."

"Lord Montgomery Fisk!" Ron gasped.

"The same," answered Sensei. "This odd combination of endeavors led him to the possession of the long-forgotten man's notes. Remember when the first man had made these notes, he believed that the full manifestation of the Mystical Monkey Power could be seized and used for his own selfish purposes. Fisk read these notes and believed that the Mystical Monkey Power would grant him ultimate mastery of Tai Sheng Pek Kwar. So he spent years tracking down the four, long-forgotten icons."

Ron nodded; it was all starting to make sense.

Sensei shook his head. "The fool. Had he managed to use the icons he too would have been dismayed by the results, since he intended to use the Mystical Monkey Power for a selfish purpose. Yet he never had the chance, since a young man learned of what he was doing."

Kim looked at Ron. "That solo mission you took while I was keeping my cousin company?" Ron nodded.

Sensei smiled at Ron. "A young man who feared anything to do with monkeys and who feared this unknown power realized that an evil man was attempting to gain it. This young man could only think of one way to thwart the evil mans designs; take the power unto himself. Because his was an act of self-sacrifice, the Mystical Monkey Power bonded itself to this young man much more strongly than it would have to Fisk."

"Would Fisk have gained greater mastery of the Mystical Monkey Power if he had dismembered Ron?" Kim asked.

Sensei shook his head with a sad smile. "No, the Mystical Monkey Power doesn't function in that manner. Fisk thinks that it is similar to a battery in an appliance, if you destroy the appliance you can remove the battery. It is more like the signal coming over a radio, if you destroy the radio, the signal goes unutilized."

"So what does this Mystical Monkey Power do to Ron?"

"It doesn't do anything to him, Miss Possible, but it does affect him. The most obvious manifestation is to enhance his Tai Sheng Pek Kwar skills. You yourself noted that he defeated a master, yet he has had only one week of formal training followed by months of diligent, solo practice."

Kim stared hard at Ron. "You've been practicing in secret?" Ron winced.

"Indeed he has, Miss Possible." Sensei interrupted, "and at my request. He did not wish to keep secrets from you, but I deemed it best that his skills not become general knowledge. Stoppable-san has respected my reasons and requests and has followed them most diligently."

Kim seemed ready to say something to Ron, but addressed Sensei instead. "What other manifestations does this Mystical Monkey Power show?"

"There are manifestations that I will not reveal to you, at least not at this time." Sensei informed her, "please accept my assurances that they are not harmful and do not affect you in any way. As Stoppable-san brings himself more in tune with this power, greater and more useful manifestations shall become apparent."

"Is the Mystical Monkey Power the reason he has had so much success wrestling?" Kim was giving Ron a decidedly hard eye.

"As Monkey Fist said earlier, you jump to conclusions, Miss Possible. Stoppable-san took up the sport of wrestling because he wanted to safeguard the secrets of Yamanouchi while assisting you to a greater extent. He reasoned that if anyone noticed him becoming more capable, they would assume that it was due to his hard work on the mat. His success there is due strictly to his hard work and the direction of his coach and his friends. Ron-san has, of course, come to enjoy the sport and his teammates."

Kim's expression had softened considerably. "You took up wrestling as a cover, so you could help me more and still keep your secrets?" She asked Ron, who nodded. "And you kept it up even after I harshed on you?" Another nod from Ron.

Kim shook her head then turned back to Sensei. "What does the Yamanouchi School have to with Mystical Monkey Power?"

Sensei smiled again. "The Yamanouchi School is dedicated, in part, to assisting those with access to the Mystical Monkey Power bring themselves into harmony with it. We do this through the practice of Tai Sheng Pek Kwar. We have certain contacts within the Japanese Government and used them to arrange Stoppable-san's visit, once we learned he had access to the Mystical Monkey Power."

"How did you learn about his …access?"

"Alas, Miss Possible, that is information that I will not reveal at this time."

"So does everyone who practices Tai Sheng Pek Kwar gain access to the Mystical Monkey Power?"

"No, Miss Possible, the Mystical Monkey Power only manifests itself through a small number of people. It has not chosen either Yori, or Hirotaka. We do not understand why anybody is chosen. I believe that the power chose Stoppable-san when he made his sacrifice and has bonded to him more strongly because of who he happens to be."

"So, does this mean he has some sort of destiny to fulfill?"

"I do not believe in destiny, Miss Possible, I believe in probability. The Mystical Monkey Power bonded, strongly, to Stoppable-san due to his self-sacrifice. The Mystical Monkey Power is strongest in those who seek to assist others without gaining glory for themselves. Stoppable-San chose to become your 'secret weapon', secret even from you. Because his attitude is very much in harmony with what the Mystical Monkey Power promotes, I deem it probable that Stoppable-san shall become a great…conduit for this power. Because he assists you in your endeavors, it is probable that he will have great need of this power. I seek to work within these probabilities by training Stoppable-san in the arts of Tai Sheng Pek Kwar and the channeling of the Mystical Monkey Power."

Headlights approached the building, interrupting any further questions Kim might have asked. Sensei and Yori's ride had just arrived.

"The time has come for us to part, Miss Possible." The old man informed her, rising to his feet. "It has been a pleasure to meet you. You have already learned that which I deemed appropriate to reveal. Please do not take offense that I did not reveal everything to you, I have chosen to keep secrets even from Stoppable-San. Please accept my deepest thanks for your assistance and pass my thanks on to Wade-san, as well."

He then turned to Ron. "I thank you as well, Stoppable-san. Your actions reveal that you have been diligent in your practice of Tai Sheng Pek Kwar. While you have advanced your skill, another trip to Yamanouchi will be most beneficial."

Ron stood to address the old man. "It was my honor to assist you, Master Sensei. The summer is approaching and it will be my honor to visit Yamanouchi, once classes have ended at Middleton. I look forward to the day we can meet again, under better circumstances than today." Ron bowed, respectfully, and held his bow until the old man returned it and left the room.

As Ron straightened, Yori approached the American teens and bowed to Kim. "Possible-san, it is good to have met you, after hearing so much about you from Ron-san. Thank you for your assistance." Kim nodded to her.

Yori bowed to Ron. "And thank you, as well Ron-san. It was good to see you, and I look forward to your next visit to Yamanouchi."

Ron returned her bow. "I feel honored that you came to me in your hour of need, Yori. I too, look forward to my return to Yamanouchi."

Yori smiled. "Then we share a bond of honor, Ron-san." She stepped forward, kissed him on the cheek, and then followed Sensei out the door.

Ron limped to a facility window, where he could watch Sensei and Yori climb into the truck. The truck would deliver them to a nearby airport, where they would start on a series of plane rides to Tokyo. He and Kim would be picked up in a few more minutes and ride to a different airport for a direct flight to Middleton. He never noticed that Kim's eyes and mouth had flown open when Yori had kissed him. He only noticed her intent stare when he turned back to her.

"What?" He asked.

"Don't you know?" She now seemed amused.

"Know what?"

"Yori, she likes you."

"Yeah, she's really nice to everyone."

Kim rolled her eyes up. "No, Ron. I mean she like likes you."

Ron's eyes flew wide. "Wha…you mean she…?" Kim nodded. He turned back to where he could see the truck's taillights disappearing in the distance. "Awww man!" Then he took a deep breath and shrugged. "It's probably better that I didn't know. According to Monique, I'm officially in rebound until this Sunday and I'm not allowed any romantic interests whatsoever."

Kim smiled back. "That's the spirit, Romeo." Then she hesitated. "But really, you were ready to jump into fire to help her. What's the sitch with the two of you?"

Ron took a deep breath and a sad look came over his face. "I was really feeling down and worthless when I went to Japan. Yori believed in me when nobody else did, not even myself. She knew just the right buttons to push; she supported me one minute and forced me to deal with things myself the next. Because of her, I was able to pull myself out of a pretty bad place and start respecting myself."

"Ron, why didn't you talk to me about whatever was bothering you?" Kim looked decidedly troubled.

"I just couldn't Kim, please leave it at that."

"No! What was it that had you so upset?"

"Kim, when I came back you had things that you just weren't ready to talk about, with me, at the time. Please look at this the same way. I'll tell you when I'm ready." Ron's voice was firm.

"Ron, I don't like these secrets!" Kim's eyes were narrow and her teeth were clenched. Then she regained control of her temper. "But I'm going to have to learn to respect your privacy. Fine, now let's come up with how we're going to deal with the gossip back at school."

Ron was confused. "What gossip?"

Kim gave him a level look. "Ron, a lot of kids overheard Yori when she asked to speak to you about something important to the two of you. When you walked off for your private conversation, a lot of kids saw her crying and you being both affectionate and supportive. Care to guess what the favorite rumor is right now?"

Ron looked perplexed for a few minutes, then his eyes flew wide. "What? Oh, no! That's so not the case!"

Kim couldn't help but tease him a little. "Are you absolutely sure?"

Ron glared at her. "YES I'M ABSOLUTELY SURE! It's a biological impossibility. I would have remembered." He shot her a questioning look. "I mean, you do remember, don't you? Because if you didn't, that would go a long way towards explaining a lot of Locker-Room talk."

"Enough," Kim didn't want any more details. "Lets just figure out what we're going to tell everyone."