Chapter 2:
One year later …
The cool mountain wind whipped the long coat around the solitary traveler as he climbed the Japanese mountain; his long, blond hair and matching beard were all that shielded his face.
The large gates of Yamanouchi finally stood before him after one of the longest, most trying journeys of his life. Looking back on the various tests of his mental and physical capacities, he felt ready for whatever Master Sensei and the teachers of Yamanouchi could throw at him. At least … after A good night's sleep.
Ron smiled at the welcoming sight of Yamanouchi school's front gate, even more when it opened before him. "Welcome Ron-Kun." Yori said as he walked into the school grounds, noticing that the students were all lined up, making A path to Master Sensei at the center of the school grounds.
Ron's heavy feet slowly brought him before Yori and Master Sensei at the center of the massive school. "What brings you back to these noble walls, Stoppable-San?" Master Sensei asked, looking sagely at the young man.
"I … seek the means to fight injustice …" Ron spoke softly, "KP and I … we did some good, but … I want to do more … I want to strike fear in the ones who prey on the fearful … I don't want what happened to me to happen to anyone else, not KP, not Felix, not Wade, no one else." Ron said.
"Stoppable-San, to manipulate fear in others, you must first master your own." Master Sensei spoke softly, "Are you ready to begin?" He asked.
"What?" Ron blanched, "With all due respect, Master, I just got here. I've traveled almost non-stop for A year and …" He was cut off when Yori kicked him hard in the chest, sending him to his hands and knees.
"Death does not wait for you to be ready." Master Sensei said as Hirotaka stomped at the teen, shocked when he rolled out of the way with ease.
"Death is not considerate of fair." Master Sensei started as Ron caught Yori by her thigh as she kicked at him again. Ron smirked when Yori yelped as he slung her into Hirotaka.
The other students prepared to attack when Master Sensei held up A hand. "Very good, Stoppable-San." He said.
"To do what you wish, you must face death with no fear." Sensei spoke wisely as Ron stood in A combat stance. "You have traveled far and learned much from many masters, Chosen One. Now, it is time to face death and fear itself. It is time for you to become what you were born to be." He said.
"Through your adventures with Possible-San and your training Journey, you have learned to face groups of enemies," Sensei said as he approached the young American. "We shall teach you to face armies. You have learned to disappear. We shall teach you to become truly invisible." Sensei smiled, "You have learned to be A hero; we shall teach you to become A legend."
Days past …
Weeks past …
Years evaporated, and Ron Stoppable's training continued, his changes becoming more and more apparent.
Yori, Hirotaka, and A group of eighteen other top students of the school carefully eased into the training yard, training weapons at the ready.
"Everyone, stay close," Yori said glancing around at the group of sixteen students. "Wait … where did … stay on guard!" The group of fourteen began throwing flash capsules into the shadows, but their missing comrades were nowhere to be found.
"He is good," Yori said, taking A glance at Hirotaka, when she heard motion behind her and turned to give her team another head count. She was stunned to realize her group of twenty Ninja had been decreased in number to eight in less than A minute's time. "Stay in visual contact at all times!" Yori ordered, turning to where Hirotaka was, only to find him missing as well. "Hirtaka?"
Yori gasped out loud when, while looking for Hirotaka, her remaining comrades vanished, leaving her alone in the shadowy training yard.
"Ron-Kun, I yield; you have won …" Yori said carefully, backing toward the center of the yard carefully. "Run-Kun?"
Yori gasped as she was tackled to the ground by A Ninja dressed completely in black and blindfolded. She gasped for breath as his forearm crushed against her throat and his free hand pinned her shoulder to the ground as he sat astride of her.
"Excellent job, Stoppable-San," Master Sensei said, clapping his hands as he walked out into the training yard.
Ron removed his blindfold and mask before climbing off Yori and bowed to Sensei. "Thank you, Master," He said humbly.
"Come with me," Master Sensei said, turning his back and walking out of the temple.
Ron glanced at Yori, who gave him A proud nod. Ron gave A small smile before following along after the head teacher of the school.
"You have done well these past seven years, Stoppable-San." Master Sensei said as they walked along the mountain path behind the school. "You are possibly the greatest student here. But … I must ask A question of you." Ron glanced at the aged master. "Do you still feel guilty for the death of your parents?" he asked.
"My anger outweighs my guilt, Master," Ron stated, staring off into valley beside the vast the vast mountain range the ninja school was built upon.
"You must learn to let go of your anger and guilt, my son," Master Sensei stated, A sad twinkle in his eyes. "My mother, the Master Sensei of Yamanouchi before me, her family was destroyed before her very eyes. Though she was young when it happened, she never let go of that anger and guilt. It consumed her, all through the many years of her life." He sighed before looking up at the sky. "Think not of anger or of guilt, my son, you must focus your mind on Justice." He said.
"I'll remember that, Master," Ron said before lifting his armored gauntlets to deflect Master Sensei's staff.
"Draw your weapon." Sensei barked, striking again and again glancing off Ron's protective gauntlets.
"No," Ron said as the Master swings again, this time striking him in the leg, sweeping his feet out from under him.
"Your enemies will not hesitate, Stoppable-San," Sensei said, moving to strike the young man in the chest, but Ron rolled away and leapt to his feet. "You must be ready to kill them before they kill you or another innocent."
"I will not kill," Ron stated, catching Sensei's staff and jerking it away from him. "Those who kill in cold blood are animals. By choosing not to kill is what separates us from them." He said, turning Sensei's staff on him.
"As you wish, Chosen One," Master Sensei bowed in surrender, "I just pray this state of mind does not become A weakness."
(RS)
Ron stuffed another shirt into his duffle bag. He had never felt so confident and it seemed he had learned everything he could at Yamanouchi. It was finally time to go home, after seven long years. Rufus went with Ron during his journey hiding in his pocket since the dinner that also went though the training was standing on top of the dresser watching his master packing.
"Ready to go home little buddy?" Ron asked. "About time." Rufus said. After finishing packing Rufus jumped into Ron's pocket getting himself comfortable for the long trip to the airport. Ron already said his good buys to all the friends he made over the years and started to walk toads the gates.
Master Sensei, Hirotaka, and Yori were waiting for him. "Stoppable-san I hope that you are useful in your quest to save the world." Master sensei said. "Thank you Master sensei, Hirotaka, and Yori." Ron said bowing to his teacher.
Yori who was standing at the far side of the gates waiting to say her good buys to Ron watched as he was talking to Master Sensei. When he was done Ron went to walk tords her. "Ron-kun are you shore that you will not stay with us, with me, you can still save the world we can help you." Yori said. "I'm sorry Yori, but I made A promise and I plan to keep it please understand." Ron said. He looked at her with pleading eyes. Seeing his eyes Yori new that there was no way to change his mind.
"I understand Ron-kun and I wish you good luck." Yori said. Giving Ron A pick on the cheeks and walking toads where Master sensei and Hirotaka were standing. Ron waved goodbye as he stared walking down the suspension bridge and to the waiting taxi that will take him back to Tokyo international airport.
Watching him leave Yori had A pure malice and sadism look on her face . "You have done well beloved father was very impressed by your performance these last seven years we will meet again soon." Yori thought as she watched Ron get into the taxi and drove off.
(RS)
Tokyo International Airport:
The taxi arrived and Ron got out with his loggage and went to bord his plane. When he got to his seat before takeoff one of the pansagers who had a child with her tried to get Ron to give up his window seat by demanding it from the flight attendant but one quick mencing glare from Ron that was followed by A threat from the flight attendant to get the pilot and flight marshal made her lip and reluctantly sit down. Ron dipped into his training with the MMP to give an aura of menace when he glared to put A little fear into her.
Apprehensive didn't quite cover how Ron felt on the plane heading back to the city where he lost his parents. He had learned to control his temper in the years he had been gone. But still thnking about this place made part of his blood boil. It was here that A young and naïve Ron Stoppable died in the same alley where his parents lost their lives. What emerged was something wiser. Something much more different.
The plane he was sitting on shook slightly as they hit A small pocket of turbulence while the sign to buckle their seat belts began to glow. Ron was grateful that the trip back to America had been uneventful. There were A few bumps along the way.
One thing he learned during his time in Japan was that if he wanted the world to change, he was going to do something. It also felt like something was pent up inside of him that was hungry for something. He just didn't know what jet.
After the plane had landed and claiming his luggage, Ron was able to flag down A taxi. While Ron arrived by plane Kim was ridding the subway.
Author notes; please leave a comment or review this is my first fan fiction. Shego and Drakken are still bad guys.