Fighting and Feelings

Auron whirled his blade around, slicing up all Heartless that came near him. He quickly turned his attention to the boy and was surprised to see the teenager's body surrounded by a pale blue aura as he effortlessly carved his way through a legion of Heartless. He noticed that the Keyblade wielder had another sword, whose color matched the boy's aura.

The Mystical Monkey Power surged through Ron and he struggled to draw upon the source for even greater strength and skill. He was dimly aware of the shadows falling before him, but paid them no mind. There was only one thing that was important to him, now: KP. He had to reach her. If this was the end of the world, then he would spend his last minutes with her. It didn't matter what she had done with Josh, he still loved her and that was enough.

Auron trailed behind the teenager, guarding his back. He didn't know where the lad was heading, but he knew he wouldn't stop until he reached his goal. Chuckling to himself, "And Mickey thought I'd have to protect him."

Ron didn't know how much time had passed, but he finally reached the Possibles' house. It was completely inundated with the creatures. He let out a guttural scream and charged into them, slashing with both blades, but for every creature he cut down, three would appear to take its place.

Auron finally understood why the boy was in such a desperate rush. In the months he had spent here trying to find the "Unstoppable One", he had learned much about the boy and his partner. Team Possible had become romantically involved, and the boy was not about to leave her behind. He slashed through a line of Heartless that threatened to overwhelm them. Then, he noticed the ground; it was turning black as coal. It was too late; the heartless had found the world's Heart. Auron rushed beside the crazed teenager and swung his Muramasa in an upward arc, feeling the wind take form and sling the Heartless in a tornado. The boy rushed forward, ignoring the whirlwind in front of him. Wishing there was another way and taking advantage of the brief relapse, Auron swung the hilt down against the back of the boy's head. As he was freed his left arm to grab the boy, a pain shot through his left hand. Glancing down, he saw a pink, rat-like creature sink its teeth into his palm, but he ignored the mole rat and, flinging Ron onto his shoulder, made his escape. He pressed a button to call the gummi ship. His heart went out to the teenager, but he would do what must be done. It would only doom them all if he let the boy stay here and fight, and besides, if Mickey was right, if the boy was victorious, he could restore everything the way it was. It would have to suffice.

Ron awoke, feeling like he had been run over with one of Drakken's doomsday machines. He glanced around, wondering when his room had changed so much. Then, the memories flowed through his mind…he didn't find her…he failed…just like he always did. Tears welled in his eyes and flowed freely down his face. He pulled his knees up to his chest as sobs wracked his body. It wasn't fair…Kim had always pulled through no matter what…and here he was, too weak to save her. He felt something light leap on his shoulder. Rufus! Glancing down at his only friend left, he noticed Rufus was frantically trying to tell him something. "What's that, buddy? The man was helping us. He…HE DID WHAT!"

Rufus fell to the bed as his owner leapt to his feet. Having been exposed to the Mystical Monkey Power also, he felt it surge through Ron. His human's eyes glowed blue as the Lotus Blade appeared in his left hand and that strange, key-like sword appeared in his right. Rufus leapt on his human's shirt, clinging for dear life; he wouldn't let his buddy face that "thing" in there alone.

Auron sat in the pilot's seat, contemplating the message he had received. "You must go to Radiant Garden." He twisted in his seat and glanced at the monitors, watching the boy bathed in that blue aura again use both blades as he searched the ship. He wasn't very gentle about it either, using the smaller sword to break open the nearest door. He sighed to himself, got out of the pilot's seat and set the ship on auto-pilot. If the boy had to let off some steam, then it would better if he did it in the cargo hold where they couldn't possibly damage the ship.

Ron entered the cargo hold and glanced around. No shadow creatures and no scarred man. He glanced around at the supplies. A small part of his mind screamed at him to sit down and eat something, but he pushed it away. He heard the door on the other side open up and saw the object of his anger enter. Rushing forward, he swung his blades against the stranger, only to have them blocked by the big sword the man carried on his back and then be pushed back. Hissing in frustration, he doubled his attack.

Auron stayed in a defensive stance, trying to block the boy's attack. He was surprised by the boy's speed, as several of those attacks came way too close for his liking. He needed to end this quickly, but he was too afraid of hurting the boy, so he spoke in a firm but gentle tone, "Kim Possible is safe on another world."

Ron's attacks slowed as he heard KP's name and that she was safe. It was too much for him to take. His family, friends, and Kim were gone. The power fled as he collapsed on the ground. Both swords clattered to floor and disappeared in twin flashes of light.

Auron placed his hand on the young man's shoulder. He really had no idea whether the young lady had survived or not, but the boy needed something other than the rage he felt at that moment. He needed a reason to listen to Auron. He needed hope. "Do you really think that she'd let a thing like this get the best of her? If she's half the fighter they make her out to be, you can bet she's perfectly fine." Auron spoke, hoping that the boy wouldn't pick up on his doubt.

Ron glanced up, his lips trembling. "Wh…why did you bring me here? Do you really think she's safe?" he gasped.

Auron was overwhelmed for a moment. The boy was reminding him of another lad he had taken care of in the past: Tidus. He calmed himself before speaking, "Ron, I brought you here to keep you safe from the Heartless." Noticing the look the boy gave him, "Those shadow creatures we fought, Ron. Don't be upset. I can't explain everything to you, but I'm taking us to someone who can. You'll just have to trust me."

Ron stared at the man, his paranoid mind telling him to expect the worst. Still, he didn't get the feeling the man was bad road like Monkey Fist, but he made a note that if something had happened to Kim, this man would pay. Still, he had said that Kim was safe. Was Drakken behind this? Maybe Dementor? He thought it best to play along for now, "Kim, please hold on. I'm coming." he thought to himself. He looked at the man's good eye before he spoke, "So…am I supposed to call you Scarface, Scary Man, or what?"

"My name is Auron." Auron spoke. "If you'll follow me, I'll show you around the ship."

Rufus sat on his human's shoulder, staring at the stranger. It was odd; the man had a strange scent. And the taste in his mouth from where had bitten the stranger warrior was like food left out overnight. His every instinct was telling him that the stranger shouldn't be walking or moving at all. Dead men can't do that!