StD - Diablo
"Remember me"
By : Journey
Remember me... remember me...
Find myself all alone in darkness without you
Now I can't turn away from what I must do
You know I'd give my life for you
More than words can say
I've shown you how to love someone
I know you'll find a way
Say goodbye, close your eyes - remember me
Walk away, the song remains - remember me
I'll live forth somewhere in your heart,
You must believe - remember me
No way I can change my mind
I don't have the answers
If you could see through my eyes
You'd let go of your fears
And though I have to leave you now
We are part of each other
I'll miss your touch, you'll call my name
I am with you forever
Say goodbye, close your eyes - remember me
Walk away, the song remains - remember me
Winds of change we can't explain - remember me
I'll live forth somewhere in your heart
You must believe - remember me
You know I'd give my life for you
More than words can say
I've shown you how to love someone
I know you'll find the way
Say goodbye, close your eyes - remember me
Walk away, the song remains - remember me
Be there to watch over you - remember me
Feel I'm gone, my heart lives on - remember me
Don't you think of this as the end
I'll come in through your dreams - remember me
Close your eyes - remember me
Say goodbye - remember me
Say you will - say you will - say you will...
Close your eyes - remember me
Say you will - say you will - say you will...
Say goodbye - remember me...
Chapter 5 : Prophecies, Power, Pain and Loss
Two weeks had passed since the locker incident. That time had brought about quite a bit of change within Middleton High School. Bonnie Rockwaller after spending a week in self exile came out again a changed young woman. She was now nice to other students and had even become friends with Kim and Monique.
Kim about that same time had begun dating Eric, he had asked her out and she readily accepted. To anyone looking at her they saw a girl in love that was incredibly happy with her life at the moment.
Ron however was still a mystery to most as he only talked to his friends and Kim. Unfortunately his talking to Kim was not as often as it used to be either. Many could tell that they were drifting apart. Ron spent his time with his guy friends or Monique and Kim spent most of her time with Eric, it was rare to see them not in each others company.
The only people that truly knew what was going on with Ron at the moment was Monique, Tara, Josh, Felix, Wade and Brick as they were now his closest friends. Ron hadn't even been to the Possible's home in two weeks and it was bothering the elder Possible's very much as he was like a son to them.
Ron had also become more irritable and stoic within the past two weeks. It was common to see Ron walking to class or somewhere now with a emotionless and stoic look on his features. His eyes were now almost constantly hidden behind a pair of mirror tinted shades and his hair kept in a thick braid rather than a ponytail.
All of his friends were concerned with his well being and upset that Kim seemed to be neglecting the whole thing. Ron had become one of the most sought after single men at school but he seemed either un-interested or he just didn't give a shit.
Monique had become so upset over the change of event that she decided it was time that Kim got a wake up call. It was going to be a very rude awakening but in the end it was all that she could come up with. She was glad that she the proof that she needed to get her point across. Now all she had to do was find Kim.
By the time free period had rolled around Monique had yet to find Kim, she had passed Eric about half an hour ago but he was alone….for once. She then decided to check the gym as that was the only place she had yet to go to.
Once Monique walked into the gym she saw Kim and Bonnie sitting up on the sound stage going over cheer routines at the coach's desk. She was glad that Ron's little out burst had made Bonnie re-evaluate how she lived her life. The brunette, tanned young woman was now easier to be around and she was much nicer to other students.
"Hey Bonnie, what's up?" Monique asked.
"Hello Monique….not much, you?" Bonnie answered.
"Oh you know girl, same old, same old." Monique answered. "Has anyone seen Ron?"
"No." Kim piped in. "And I have to admit it's not like him to be out of sight for so long."
"I heard Brick say something about finishing up their work on his truck this afternoon during shop class and free period." Bonnie stated.
The other two girls just nodded….if anyone could get that old heap in excellent running condition it was Ron.
"I….think I know why Ron has been so distant lately." Monique said tossing a edition of the Examiner from nearly a week ago. It was the obituaries and right at the top it stated that May Joanne Stoppable had passed away, she was Ron's grandmother.
"Poor Ron." Kim said sadly. "I wonder why he never said anything, she was his last grandparent."
"Maybe it's because your always with Mitchell." Bonnie stated.
"Well he is my boyfriend Bonnie, besides….Ron seems to be avoiding me." Kim said with a contemplating look on her features.
Monique rolled her eyes and Bonnie sighed. "Well since you obviously aren't going to take him to prom in two months then I think I'll try my luck." Bonnie stated.
"Ron doesn't even know if he's going to prom Bonnie." Kim sighed. "Once he sets his mind to something its hard to be changed."
"I don't know girl….he might surprise you." Monique said.
"I doubt it." Kim replied. "There's not many secrets that Ron has that I don't know about."
"What about trashing that locker door….you were pretty shocked about that." Bonnie pointed out.
"Well I was….I still am….I wonder how he got that strong though?" Kim wondered to herself.
"Didn't Ron get nailed by some kind of strange power in our freshman year?" Bonnie asked.
"Mystical Monkey Power." Kim stated. "And it's never shown up during any of our missions….I've never seen anything noticeable about it." Kim thought for a second. "The only strange thing that happened was Ron absorbing Rufus's power about three months ago."
Monique sucked in a breath, which cased the other girls to look at her strangely. "Rufus lost his MMP…..almost three months ago…..then that means….he's dying." Monique said sadly. "I…I've been studying up on Ron's powers." Monique admitted.
Kim looked skeptically at her friend. "And just how did you find a way to study that….there aren't any books or anything on it as far as I know of." Kim said with an arched eyebrow.
Monique sighed and pulled a very old looking book from her backpack. As soon as she set the book on the desk it gave off a blue glow for a second and then faded. "About a year ago Monkey Fist dropped this book in the mall…..I was curious so I picked it up and took it home. But I haven't been able to open it until just recently…..it's got allot of information that solves a lot of the questions about our boy Ron." Monique said and opened the mystic tome.
Monique remained quiet as she turned to a page that showed a picture of Ron. His full name was under it and it showed him wearing some type of armor. Above the picture sat a title. "The Warrior of Light" On the next page was a perfect description of Ron, right down to his freckles.
"The strangest parts are coming up." Monique commented.
Turning the page the girls as a Prophecy. Kim's eyes were so wide that they threatened to fall out of their sockets. Bonnie looked as if she half way expected something like this to pop up.
Prophecy of the Warrior of Light
Born about a decade before the new millennium comes to be the Stoppable clan shall bring fourth another Warrior of Light. His name shall be Ronald Dean Stoppable and he will be the last of his line. He shall be born with power not seen since the first warrior Romulus Ethanial Stoppable.
In his fourteenth year he will come in contact with four mystical Jade statues that have been hidden by his ancestors. A battle will wage between the chosen one and a man of darkness who seeks the Mystical power for his own. The man will succeed in gaining a copied version of the power but only one of the Stoppable line can receive the true power as it should be.
The warrior will then hide his powers from the ignorant world around him in hopes of protecting those he loves. As the birthday of his eighteenth year approaches the Warrior will face many trials, hardships and a horrible deception. Family will be lost, a close friend will pass, another friend will betray him and a great deception will be flowing through it all.
This is all in preparation for a great battle that will decide the fate of the world. A battle that the Warrior must fight alone against an army of armored demons that will blacken the skies.
Be warned though as all will be lost unless the warrior finds the Maiden of Light by the midnight hour of his eighteenth date of birth. It must be a possible pairing or the bond shall not forge and the lineage will cease. Without the Maiden the Warrior will lose his soul into the darkness that surrounds him and become the Destroyer. If that happens rivers and oceans shall flow red with the blood that is spilled, the lands will be turned of waste and cities will crumble under the might of the Destroyer. The Warrior must find his maiden…his soul mate before then or the Destroyer will be born from his pain and torment and reign over a cursed Earth for all time.
Kim finished the passage shakily and with a gulp looked to the next page. On this page showed a small list of Ron's powers as the Chosen one. She gasped at the infinity symbol next to his age and the list of powers.
Ron had mastery over the four ancient arts that were thought to be nothing more than legend. Mastery of the Elements, two of which were sacred and wouldn't be unlocked until needed. The power of the Mind….Psionics, Power of the Body….Chi and Power of the soul…Ki. AS a side effect he also had superhuman reflexes and abilities, mastery of all forms of combat, knowledge and wisdom that surpassed most living beings and the ability to speak and understand all languages…even ones from the animal kingdom. Four Mystical swords were also mentioned but no names were given….only that he would be their master.
"B…but how……this can't be true…can it?" Kim asked in a daze. Suddenly all the little things she had noticed throughout her life about Ron began to make sense. His ability to communicate with animals, how he never seems to really get hurt and his speedy healing, How he always seemed to know what she was saying even though he never appeared to pay attention and his odd feats of strength that showed up from time to time.
"Oh my GOD! Brain Pain!" Kim exclaimed as it finally sunk in and a sudden headache assaulted her.
"Some things are starting to make sense aren't they girl?" Monique asked with a smirk.
"Why is there an infinity symbol next to Ron's name?" Bonnie asked curiously.
"It….it means that…Ron is…..im…immortal." Kim muttered. "Why….why didn't he tell me….I would of kept his secrets….why….?"
"Girl think about it for a second." Monique said.
"K…What do you think the government would do if they discovered Ron has these powers?" Bonnie asked. "They would come in and take him away and then dissect him to see what makes him tick."
"But Ron….he would…try to fight back and……oh god…" Kim said feeling suddenly sick.
"That's right Kim….they would kill him on the spot. He may be immortal but according to this book it only means he doesn't age past 25….he can still be killed. Although it will take someone as powerful as him or a force equal to his own to do it." Monique stated.
"This can't be true….I won't believe it." Kim muttered defiantly.
"Really?" Monique said crossing her arms over her chest. "If memory serves you didn't believe in aliens either until you helped that little girl in Hawaii named Lilo." Kim nodded.
Kim swallowed hard. It was true and she knew deep down that this book was the truth as well. This was allot to take in at once and she was going to need time to think about all this new information. She was still having major mixed feelings about Ron and this only added further to them. There were so many questions to be answered. Could she help him with this? The damn prophecy was so vague she didn't know what to think.
Just as Kim was about to ask what they should do, Ron walked into the room. His dirty shirt was slung over his shoulder, his bare muscles smudged with grease and grime from working on Brick's truck. And at that moment he looked absolutely delicious to three young women.
"Hey Monique, KP…..err….Bonnie." Ron said, he was kind of feeling bad for blowing up at Bonnie like he did two weeks ago.
"Hi Ron……listen….I'm really sorry about all those horrible things I've said about you and Kim. I was way out of order and I promise it won't happen ever again." Bonnie apologized while trying not to stare at Ron's muscled bare chest.
Ron sighed. "No Bonnie…I'm the one who should apologize. A man should never raise his hand to a woman unless she is trying to kill him. You were just mouthing off and well….I was having a bad day…I had no right to lash out like that. I am glad to see that you learned your lesson though." Ron said with a smile, he had seen Kim hanging around with Bonnie and Bonnie had been being nicer since the incident.
"No Ron, you were right. I was being a self centered bitch and I deserved it." Bonnie stated.
Ron shook his head. "Look…why don't we just forget it. I'd rather not dwell in the past and as long as you learned something out of the experience I'm cool with it. Besides I'd much rather be your friend than an enemy." Ron said honestly.
"I'd be honored to be your friend Ron…if you'd have me." Bonnie said suddenly going meek.
Ron shrugged it off and smiled. "One can never have to many friends Bonnie, I'd be glad to have ya as one of mine." Ron said and Bonnie beamed happily. Ron took a look at himself and grimaced. "Damn….I look like a grease Monkey….better hit the showers." He chuckled.
Ron didn't notice the flinch from the girls as he said Monkey. Ron walked off and disappeared into the men's locker/shower rooms to get cleaned up and changed into his spare clothes.
"Damn! That boy has it going on!" Monique exclaimed as soon as Ron was out of sight.
"Ron has the body of a Greek God!" Bonnie said with a dreamy sigh.
Both girls look over to see Kim with a deep blush covering her cheeks and a dreamy vacant look on her features. "Looks like someone is crushing on their best friend." Monique teased.
"S..so not!" Kim exclaimed and blushed deeper at their unbelieving looks. "Alright fine! I do have a bit of a crush on Ron but Eric is my boyfriend and I'm not going to dump him over a crush that could screw up my friendship." Kim relented.
Bonnie and Monique sighed. Kim was a very smart girl that was usually aware of everything around her. Yet when it came to Ron she was as clueless as could be. For Kim it was one of the most confusing things she had ever experienced in her life. She new her crush on Ron had grown over the past couple of months but she also had feelings for Eric….and he was her boyfriend at the moment. The problem was that Kim was caught between two men that she cared for and didn't want to choose, so she pushed aside her feelings for Ron and took the easiest route.
As the girls kept looking over the ancient tome and Ron's powers that were listed within Kim's cell phone rang.
"Yeah mom….what's the sitch?" She asked.
"Kimmie…..Ron's father is on the other line and really needs to speak to Ron….it's an emergency." Anne's voice was sad.
"Bu…but Ron is in the shower right now….I couldn't…." Kim stuttered with a blush.
"Kim it's very important…..just call him." Anne said with a tone that brooked no argument.
Kim sighed and dashed over to the boys locker room and yelled down for Ron to come up and answer an emergency phone call. Bonnie and Monique had followed to see what was going on.
A few seconds later Ron came barreling into the gym wearing nothing but a loose towel. Each of the girls flushed and nearly turned beetroot when the towel nearly fell off. They let out small groans as their show was quickly cut off by Ron's swift hand.
Kim, Bonnie and Monique watched as Ron's phone conversation took a definite bad turn. His eyes had widened and he dropped the cell phone. Ron then turned on his heel and ran back into the locker room. A few minutes later he was fully dressed and running out the door and into the stormy weather.
"Mom….what happened!" Kim asked upset.
"Kimmie…..it's Rufus…." Anne said sadly.
At the Stoppable home Ron had arrived to a somber and sad atmosphere. His mother was standing near the kitchen with tears in her eyes and his father sat on the couch holding a small bundled towel.
"I'm…sorry son….he went a little while ago." Edward Stoppable said sadly. "He was just to weak……there was nothing we could do….I'm so sorry."
"I….understand dad……it…..was just his time." Ron said softly, his face and eyes had lost all emotion.
"Should I call Kimberly?" Ellen Stoppable asked.
"No mom…..I'd like to be alone." Ron answered.
Edward handed Ron the bundle that held his lifeless friend. "I'll go prepare the box for Rufus…..the hole is ready….under the oak tree just like you asked…..go and fetch the marker son."
Ron nodded mutely and went upstairs to his room while his father went to his workshop to finish the wooden box for Rufus. Moments later there was a knock on the door and Ellen answered it to find a soaked Kim wearing a rain parka.
"Come on in dear and get out of the rain….Ronald should be down shortly." Ellen said.
The two women watched as Ron walked down the stairs in a almost mechanical way and then disappeared around the corner and out the back door without even acknowledging Kim.
"Ron….?" Kim asked faintly with a pained expression.
"I'm sorry dear." Ellen said sadly. "First it was mother, then just two days ago Ed was diagnosed with an advanced case of cardiovascular cancer…..we don't even know how long he has left. Then today poor Rufus passed away….it's been one blow after another."
Kim let out a gasp as tears pooled in her eyes. "My god……why…why is all of this happening to him?" She asked as the prophecy flitted through her mind.
"I've been asking myself the same thing….I can't come up with any answers either." Ellen said as her own tears began to fall.
"But Ron….doesn't deserve to suffer like this." Kim said distressed.
"No one does Kimberly." Ellen sighed. "But what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. Ronald is a very strong boy……he will make it past this. Go to him Kimberly….right now he needs a friend more than anything." Ellen said softly as Ed re-entered the room looking pale and weak.
Kim nodded and walked towards the door. Once outside she plucked an orchid from the rear flower bed. As she looked up she saw Ron standing next to a fresh mound of dirt and soil. The dark stormy sky, flashes of lightning and rumbling of thunder seemed to fit the mood but gave an eerie background.
Kim walked slowly over to the grave and noticed a small stone cross had been put there. She gently placed the orchid on the grave as tears mixed with the rain waters on her cheeks.
"Take care of yourself Rufus….I'm really going to miss you." Kim muttered softly.
As Kim looked up she noticed that Ron had gotten taller. A flash of lightning lit up behind him darkening his stoic features. She could tell that he was in pain but it was being masked by his stoic and emotionless look…..it was as if he was numb.
"Ron….your mom told me about all that has happened…..I'm so sorry…" Kim said muffling a sob as she put her hand on Ron's muscular arm.
"It's alright KP……….everyone has a time that they must go…….." Ron said in monotone.
Kim let out a sad sigh. "Remember when my grandpa died…..how tore up I was and….how I asked you to sing for me?" Kim asked softly.
"………Yeah…..I remember……" Ron answered.
"That's why I'm here Ron….to help you and be here for you….please….don't shut me out." Kim said with a sob.
"I'm not shutting you out KP...this is just something I need to handle on my own...it'll make me stronger in the end...I wouldn't shut you out so don't worry about that" Ron's monotone voice seemed to echo in the air as rain continued to pour down on them.
"Ron, Rufus was my friend too, I'm hurting just as much as you are, I already miss him." Kim sobbed.
"I know KP...I know...me too" Ron echoed.
They stood there in silence as Ron stared off into the distance and Kim sobbed quietly. Ron noticed her shiver a bit. He let out a sigh and pulled her into a comforting embrace. Ron continued to gaze at his friends grave with a blank stare as Kim cried into his chest. They may not be as close now as they used to be and she was dating that prick Eric but he hated to see her in tears.
"…..Later little buddy…..I'll see ya on the flip side." Ron commented softly.
"Ron….can you do me a favor?" Kim asked quietly.
"Sure KP….what do you need….?" Ron asked.
"Could you take me to see Grandpa…please…..I feel like I need to see him." Kim asked.
"C'mon then…..I'll get my keys….." Ron said and went to his house with a sad Kim in tow.
Middleton cemetery was a nice enough place to visit but on a dreary day like this it was a bit eerie. Row after row of white tombstones littered the ground with many families loved one buried beneath.
Kim was kneeling next to her grandfather's grave talking quietly to him about how things have been going in her life and the tragic loss of Rufus just hours ago.
Ron stood behind her in silence as his mind reeled over the memories of the elderly mans funeral and the passing of his little friend. On the outside Ron didn't appear to even be affected by the events around him. But on the inside was a pain like no other.
He knew this was going to happen, he had been warned. But nothing could have prepared him for the pain. Slowly he was losing everyone and everything he loved…and for what? A damn prophecy. He knew that he had friends that would be there for him but it hardly mattered….this was his burden and he would have to face it alone weather he liked it or not.
He wasn't sure when or if his pain was ever going to end at that moment but he new he could get over it. He had a duty….a fate…..a destiny to fulfill and nothing was going to stop him from protecting those he loved and cared for. For Ron this was yet another trial to face and another hardship to get past.
"Grandpa…..please take care of Rufus for us….I hope he's happy with you." Kim said softly as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"…………." Ron remained silent and stoic.
Kim walked up to Ron and hugged him for a bit of comfort, she was a bit surprised when he wrapped his arms around her. They stayed like that for a little bit and then began walking back to Ron's truck.
After a silent ride back to her house Kim gave Ron another hug and a peck on the cheek. She watched silently as Ron drove off into the distance. Her heart ached for him but she didn't know what to do for him. He was so distant now and then there was that awful prophecy she had seen earlier.
For Kim Possible fantasy and reality had hit with a resounding boom. Suddenly she found that everything she once thought was fake was actually real and the person she thought she knew as Ron Stoppable was nothing more than a façade to hide what was really there. It was a rather rude awakening.
After Ron drove himself home he got cleaned up and went to bed early. He needed to be with his thoughts and quietly mourn the passing of his friend. It was times like this that in spite of all his power he felt powerless. He knew that he couldn't protect everyone and some lives are meant to be lost.
It still did little to ease the pain he felt. As Ron lay there in his pitch black room…no one saw the tears that fell from sad chocolate brown eyes. No one was there to help with the pain and greif….only him….and his memories of the good times he and Rufus shared together.
Disclaimer : We do not own Kim Possible
Authors : DragonMaster & Doug4422