Kim Possible: Path of the Shinobi
So the Drama was a changing point in the lives of Ron Stoppable and Kim Possible. But what if the night played out differently than before? What if Eric was never revealed, Drakken was stopped by the Sidekick and the world never knew? This is the story of Ron's Path of the Shinobi.
Chapter II: Unsung Hero
Kim and Eric pulled up at the Possible home, as they walked towards the door. Kim was beaming with happiness, as she enjoyed the night immensely. She felt like she was on cloud nine, and that nothing could bring her down. All that could make the night perfect, was a good night kiss. She and Eric walked up to the door and she beamed at Eric.
"I had a really fun time, Eric," she said as she smiled at her boyfriend.
"That's great Kim," he said with a somewhat strained smile on his face. Not that Kim could tell at the moment.
"You know...traditionally at the end of Prom, couples usually end the night with...with a.." she swallowed her trepidation "...kiss?" she asked as she smiled at him.
Eric merely stared and shook his head, much to her confusion. "That's going a bit too fast, don't you think?" he asked. "Besides, I'm pretty tired and I have to check in on my dad, he has a tendency to...overwork, and I need to check if he's okay," he said as Kim shagged her shoulders.
"Oh…" she said but was surprised when he gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "But I hope that puts you in a good mood?" he asks as she flushes red.
"I-I uh, yes that...that will do.." she reached behind her and fiddled with the door. "U-Um, good night!" she said as she stumbled back into her house.
Eric walked away from the house, his hand curled into a fist and he struck it against a tree, causing the wood to snap and the tree to topple over. It disgusted him having to continue this role when it should've ended hours ago. But he had heard no word from Drakken and he had no choice but to rely on his initial programming.
Even if it sickened him to act like a human. "...Disgusting…" he muttered to himself and got on his bike. He needed answers. He needed to go home.
Meanwhile, Kim, with her back pressed up against the door, stared off into space for a moment as a wave of bliss washed over her. She stayed that way for a few minutes before her face flushed red. She then rushed into the living room, grabbed a couch pillow and screamed her delight into it.
"Well, someone had a good time," Kim jumped a little as she snapped towards the stairs where her mother stood at the top of them, a small smile on her face.
"M-Mom! I uh!..." She tried to explain but found herself at a loss for words.
"It's okay Kimmie, I was young too," she said as she walked down the stairs. "Did you have fun?" she asked as Kim nodded with a bright smile.
"Yes, it was the best night of my life. No Wade, No Drakken, No insane plot to take over the world. Just me and the perfect boy…" she sighed dreamily as she played with a strand of her hair with a blush and a smile.
"I'm glad...did Ronald have a good time? He seemed to be down recently," she asked as Kim snapped out of her daydream and shook her head.
"No...I didn't see him at the dance. I think he was still bummed about the whole Bueno Nacho thing, but I'm sure he'll be fine tomorrow," she reasoned with her mother and walked up to her room.
Ann on the other hand gave a concerned look to her daughter before her eyes drifted towards the picture of Ron and Kim when they were young. While she was happy that Kim had a normal and somewhat magical night, she hoped that Ron had finally gathered the nerve to admit his feelings for Kim. She always did think they were meant to be. But the fact that Ron didn't even show up made her worry.
She just hoped that it wasn't something serious…
Stoppable Homestead
Darkness engulfed Ron's vision as he lay blissfully unaware of the world around him. A small chattering and a light tapping piqued Ron's interest as his eyes slowly opened. A blurry pink shape hovered over his face, as the shape slowly formed the familiar features of his pet naked Mole-Rat Rufus. Who looked at him and chattered with panic in his voice.
"Ugh...Five more minutes Rufus…" Ron groaned as he closed his eyes again. Only to snap them back open. "Rufus!" he yelled and tried to sit up. "What are you - Ow! Ow! That hurts!" he groaned as he held his ribs.
Rufus panicked even more until Ron held up his hand.
"I'm okay, I'm okay...argh...just...need to be slow about this…" he said before he noticed that his shirt was off and bandages and cold packs were expertly placed on his body. Not only that but when he looked around, he was back in his room.
"How did I get home?" he asked as he looked around the room and his body. "And...how did I get patched up?" he asked himself.
"Stoppable-san…"
"AH!" Ron screamed as he nearly jumped out of bed, before he looked over to see Yori standing over him, with a look of worry.
"Y-Yori? You need to stop doing that, it's going to give me a heart attack one of these days," he told her as she helped him up.
"Apologies, Stoppable-san, it was not my intention to cause you discomfort," she said as Ron nodded.
"It's fine, just caught me off guard is all… The question is, what the heck are you doing in America? Did Master Sensei get kidnapped again, or has Monkey Fist found some other Monkey-related plot?"
"No Stoppable-san, no such actions have transpired. However, Sensei had sensed an ill omen surrounding you and dispatched me to investigate. But by the time I arrived in America, you had already brought an end to Drakken's plan and saved the world." she explained as Ron looked over his bandages.
"And you brought me here, patched me up?" he asked as she nodded.
"Yes, Rufus-san wanted me to alert Possible and Load-san, but you kept muttering in your sleep for them to not find out. I honoured your wishes and brought you home. I was worried that I would have to explain myself to your parents, but they appear to not be home," she said as Ron sighed.
"Yeah...they left a note saying they're on an Actuary Cruise for a week, so you don't have to worry about them," he said as shook his head. "They always seem to leave without telling me,"
"I see...in any case, I used what medical practice I had to mend your body. Once again you have my utmost apologies for not arriving on time," she said as Ron shook his head.
"It's fine Yori. And to be honest, I didn't think anything like this was going to happen. But I guess it worked out for the best. Drakken was stopped, the world is safe and Kim got to have one night where she doesn't have to worry about saving the world," he said as Yori looked at him with sadness.
"And why did you do that for Possible-san?" she said as Ron sighed and nodded.
"...I guess...that's what friends do?" he said as he laid back down on the bed. "So, what are you going to do now, head back to Yamanouchi?" he asked.
"First I must contact Sensei and let him know the situation, then I will return to Yamanouchi tomorrow evening. For now, rest Stoppable-san, you have had a long night," she said as Ron nodded and laid back down in his bed.
"Understatement of the year, you can use the guest room, I hope it's okay?" he asked as she nodded.
"It will be fine, sleep well...Ron-san," she said as she left the room, with Rufus following behind her.
Left alone in his room, Ron tried to relax as he stared up in thought. Ironic, seeing as his night ended where he had started. Lying in this bed and staring up at the same ceiling. It's like he came about full circle.
"Well isn't that ironic?" he thought before he drifted off into sleep.
Meanwhile, Yori sat in the guest room as she appeared to be meditating. But as she did, a multi-coloured shape began to appear before her, before it morphed into the astral projection of Master Sensei as he floated before the young ninja.
"Sensei" she said and bowed to the Specter.
"Yori, I see you have made contact with Stoppable-san," he spoke as she nodded.
"I have, Sensei...but I arrived too late, and Stoppable-san was hurt. But that is not the only pain I sense. There is a great conflict within him, he is questioning his self-worth and his place in the world. I believe if left unchecked, Stoppable-san may bring great harm to himself," she rationalised as the elder man nodded.
"Hmmm….you are correct, there is a great conflict within Stoppable-san. He was forced into a situation that challenged his views and his importance, all so that his childhood friend could remain happy and safe…But now that the storm has passed, he is now questioning what his path will be..." he stroked his beard as he pondered.
"What should we do?" she asked as the grandmaster pondered.
"...I believe it is time we changed our plans," he said as she looked up in shock. "While we were content to allow Stoppable-san to continue on his path, this night has changed him and new paths have opened up. He is vulnerable and could be easily swayed into the darkness if left unchecked. We must offer him the choice to complete his training at Yamanouchi, but it must be of his own choice..." he said as she bowed.
"Yes Sensei," she said as the man nodded.
"Whatever path he chooses, Ron Stoppable will have to face the reality that his destiny is far more important than what truly he understands…" he said as faded from existence.
Yori was then left alone in the room as she got up and went to check on Ron, who had fallen asleep watching the news. She carefully walked up to him and brushed a small strand of hair from his face as she stared at him with a soft face.
"...Whatever path you choose, know that you will never be alone, Stoppable-kun," she said as she placed a small kiss on his forehead before retreating to the guest room.
Next Morning
Ron woke the next morning and the first thing he felt was a dull pain over his entire body, the herbs and medical attention that Yori had provided him had dulled the pain. But it still ached all over his body, and he couldn't cover up the bruises that lined his face.
"Oh man…" he groaned slowly getting up. "I'm not going to like today…" he said to himself as he stumbled his way to the showers.
After getting out of the shower and dressed, he noticed that breakfast had been served for him and a waiting Yori sat at the table with Rufus, who cheered when he saw him and ran up his shoulder.
"Hey, morning to you too buddy," he said as he stroked the little mole-rats head. "Did you make this Yori?" he asked as he sat down.
"Indeed Stoppable-san, seeing as I was a guest in your home, I felt it was my honour to prepare some food for you," she said as Ron looked down at the food before him and took a bite.
"Not bad, you make a really good cook Yori," he commented as he smiled feeling a bit of uplift in his mood for the first time since this whole incident had started.
'Better than Kim,' he silently commented to himself, before he reached over and grabbed the remote to the TV as a new report was playing about the Bueno Nacho Headquarters.
"Late last night, local authorities arrested Dr Drakken after the Bueno Nacho headquarters mysteriously blew up. Authorities believe that Dr Drakken was using the fast-food industry as a base of operation for a larger plan to take over the world."
"However, it appeared that there was a weapons malfunction in his armoury and his plot was foiled before it even began. Authorities had initially assumed that teen hero, Kim Possible, may have had a hand in this. But preliminary evidence reveals that Kim Possible was nowhere near the BN HQ. And testimonial statements from Drakken suggest that technical difficulties resulted in the lairs' destruction."
"Police are still trying to ascertain how the explosion happened, but so far nothing has come to light. With Drakken behind bars, ownership of the Bueno Nacho's Industry has been returned to its rightful owners, who were found being held captive just outside of town. In weather today-"
Ron at this point had tuned out as he sighed in relief. He saved the world and no one ever knew it was him. But it had got him to think about all that had transpired that night. He had gotten captured by Drakken, taken to his base and discovered the plot to take over the world. Yet despite the overwhelming odds against him, despite having no backup whatsoever, he somehow managed to make it out of there and stop his plan from ever happening.
Normally he would've felt a small hinge of annoyance that the news didn't mention him and only focused on Kim. But not this time. This time he felt relief that his name didn't even come up once. It meant that he had done his job. He had spared Kim the trouble of dealing with Drakken, who appeared to hold up his end of the deal and allowed her to have the night she deserved.
But now the question that was bugging him was this...what happens now?
He had saved the world, without Kim, gadgets or backup. What was he going to do now? Go back to being Kim's Sidekick, the distraction, the one that's always ignored while Kim saved the world. He was fine with being forgotten, but he saved the world this time, not Kim. Was he really okay going back to that role? And what about their friendship, was that even on the table anymore now that Kim was with Eric? So many questions, and yet he had no answers. But the biggest question he had now was this...
What the hell was he going to do now?
"You did a courageous act, Stoppable-san," Yori said as she too watched the news, knowing the truth about what happened. "You must feel very proud," she asked as Ron sighed.
"Yeah…" he said as she looked back at him.
"Yet I sense conflict within you, what is the matter?" she asked as Ron stabbed his food with the fork absentmindedly.
"...I don't know...I feel like everything's changed now. I kind of hoped that things would go back to the way they were...but...I know that's not going to happen. Kim's still dating Eric, I don't know where I fit in Team Possible anymore and no one knows I saved the world. I feel like I can't go back to that life anymore. I can't continue being the same person I've always been. But what am I supposed to do?" he asked as Rufus patted his tiny paw to his hand in sympathy.
"...Perhaps, there is a solution," Yori said as Ron looked up. "Sensei asked that I relay an offer to you. He wishes for you to come back to Yamanouchi, to complete your training."
"...What, you want me to go back to Yamanouchi?" he asked as she nodded.
"Yes, Sensei himself has sensed the conflict that is arising within you and believes that training at Yamanouchi will help to refocus and balance yourself," she explained.
"I-I can't do that, I have a life here. Friends, family, Kim will need my help in missions...if...she wants my help. I can't just up and leave them."
"It would not be forever, it would only be until the summer ends. I believe it would be a good opportunity for you. Right now you are in conflict with the man you were and the one you are now. The past and the present. You must learn to choose what path you will continue, or else you will fall into an abyss of self-loathing and doubt…" she said but shook her head. "But ultimately it is not my decision, but yours. If you believe you can manage this personal dilemma, then we will not inconvenience you…" She then placed her hand on his.
"But if you wish to better yourself, to reach your true potential, I implore you to come to Yamanouchi and become the man I believe is inside you," she said as Ron stared at her and then down at his hand.
"I'll...I'll think about it…" he said as he looked up and noticed the time. "Listen, I've got to go to school, just give me till the end of the day, and I'll have your answer by then," he told her as she nodded.
"I understand Stoppable-san, whatever you decide I will support you," she said as Ron grabbed his bag and left the house with Rufus in his pocket. Ron stood at the corner of the street as he looked back, before shaking his head and continuing to walk to school.
Middleton High
Ron walked down the halls of Middleton High, completely ignored as everyone was busy talking about the Prom last night, and the recent news of Drakken's latest plot being foiled. It made him feel a sense of pride that he had managed to avoid a potential catastrophe...but also a sense of annoyance, that everyone had such a great time at the Prom while he nearly died making sure they had a good time.
"I don't know what to tell you, Kim," he suddenly heard as he spotted Kim in front of her locker, as Wade talked to her on the screen. "I don't know how I managed to miss this, but it looked like Drakken had everything set to launch a full-scale invasion, yet he was brought down by a malfunction. Something doesn't seem right Kim."
"I agree, but on the plus side, at least it didn't happen on Prom Night," she said as Ron walked up to her.
"Hey, KP, Wade," Ron said as Kim turned around to say hello when her eyes widened at the bruises on his face.
"Ron! Oh my gosh, are you alright?" she asked as she inspected his face, Ron felt his cheeks flush as her soft hands brushed up against his skin. "What happened?" she asked.
"Oh this, well…" he said as he looked into her worried eyes. 'You can do this, you lied to her before, you can do it again.' he thought to himself as he steeled himself. "I kind of...fell down the stairs last night. Forgot to turn the lights on and slipped on one of my action figures, and tumbled down the stairs. It was no big deal,"
"You fell down the stairs?" she asked, sceptical as she looked over his injuries.
"Yeah, come on KP, it's not the first time this has happened. Remember last Thanksgiving when I fell down the stairs and got stuck in your banisters? It took your parents two sticks of butter to get my head unstuck...your brothers on the other hand were disappointed they didn't get to use the laser they made," he said as she looked at him sceptically, but relented.
"Fine...But if you're not feeling well I can get Mom to look you over," she said as Ron shook his head.
"Nah, I'm fine Kim. You know it takes more than some stairs to take down the Ron-man, OW!" he said while throwing up his arm.
"Ron? What are you doing here? According to my tracer on you, you're supposed to be at home?" Wade said when he spotted Ron at school and the fake signal from the tracer.
"Well that can't be right," Kim said as she looked at Ron. "Do you have something to explain?" she asked as she crossed her arms.
Ron panicked a little as he realised that the tracker Shego removed had been destroyed. Which meant Kim and Wade were going to ask some serious questions. So he had to come up with a lie that seemed believable.
"Oh...that...Um...well last night, before I fell down the stairs I...tried to get a stuck pop tart out of my toaster and I kind of stuck a fork in it?" he said with apprehension as Kim's eyebrows shot up into her forehead.
"What!? Ron! How many times have I told you not to do that!?" she asked as Ron shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know like once...maybe six times?" he asked with an embarrassed look as Wade pondered.
"Hmm...an electrical surge may explain why the chip is sending an old signal. I'll probably have to have a new one installed."
"Whoa! Okay, how about we NOT put another tracer on me, I never consented to the last one!" Ron argued, still feeling the sore spot where Shego had it ripped out.
"Ron, it's for your safety," Kim argued as Ron shook his head.
"Kim, I'm fine, I don't need a microchip shoved in me. Don't you trust me?" he asked Kim was about to answer him when she saw Eric walking up behind him.
"Eric!" she said as she wrapped her arms around her boyfriend, much to the inner turmoil of Ron. "I missed you, how was your dad?" she asked as Eric smiled.
"Dad got into… a little trouble last night with his project, but I'm sure he'll be fine," he said as internally he was still angry that the Lair was blown up, his master was behind bars and there had been no sign of what had caused the accident.
Ron meanwhile stared at the pair as they held each other in a 'loving embrace' as he felt sick just watching them. He felt his right-hand curl into a fist, as his eyes flickered blue for a split second, before fading back to brown.
"Oh, hey man, what's up?" Eric asked, finally noticing Ron standing behind him.
"Uh...I'm fine, thanks for asking. Good to see you too...Eric," Ron said with a forced smile. "Uh, listen KP I gotta get my stuff for class, I'll see you in Barkin's class," he said as Kim nodded while keeping her gaze on Eric.
"Man this sucks," he muttered to himself as he made it to his locker and started entering his combination.
"Well, well, look who decided to finally show up," a snide voice said as Ron instantly felt a headache coming on.
'Oh no, not now, no her…' he thought as he turned to see one Bonnie Rockwaller, as she stood there with that smirk of hers. "What do you want, Bonnie?" he asked.
"Just checking on the resident loser, now that he no longer has Kimmie by his side," she said as Ron shook his head.
"Is this going somewhere?" he asked as fiddled with the lock, but his frustration made him mess up the combo.
"Well, I just wanted to say I'm proud of Possible," she said as Ron looked back at her with a raised brow. "She finally took my advice and traded up from a loser to a total hottie, as much as it pains me to say," she said as Ron sighed and continued to try and open his locker. "I mean I always knew it was only a matter of time before Kimmie finally accepted the truth, that people like her and people like you shouldn't be seen together,"
"Bonnie...Shut up…" he muttered under his breath as he fiddled with the locker.
"I mean it's a basic 'Law' here, the rule defined by the food chain. Popular people stay with the popular people, and losers stay with the losers. And Kim is, dare I say, one of the most popular girls in the school...aside from me of course," she said with a flip of her hair.
"I'm serious… stop talking…" he growled under his breath.
"I mean it only took her 12 years to finally get the memo. You've been clinging to her side for so long she didn't know better. But now that she has Eric, who I approve of, by the way, she can finally reach her true potential…"
"Bonnie…" he growled as she continued her tirade.
"And all it took was for her to finally see the truth...No one...will ever..." Ron's hand curled into a fist, as the MMP flowed through him.
"Date a loser like you"
"SHUT UP!" Ron finally yelled as he slammed the locker door so hard, that it shook the whole row, as Bonnie and practically everyone in the hall jumped back in shock. He then snapped his gaze to Bonnie as she, for the first time in her life, felt scared of Ron Stoppable.
"Do you ever shut up!? It's the same damn thing with you over and over again! God, it is so annoying that that's all you think about! Who's popular, who's on top of the food chain, who's the total hottie that cheerleaders should date? Well, I'm going to tell you a secret Bon-Bon… NO ONE CARES!" he shouted as she recoiled in fear.
"No one cares about a set of made-up rules that you think are so important! No one cares about who's at the top of the food chain! Because you know what, the food chain only exists in the wild! You want to follow those rules, go live in the jungle where it belongs!" he shouted, as Kim managed to push her way through and stared in shock at her best friend yelling at Bonnie Rockwaller.
"And I am so sick and tired of you trying to put me down! You've been doing it to me since Pre-K! And honestly, I've had enough of it! You always say I'm pathetic, but you want to know something, you're the pathetic one!" he shouted, causing her to step back into the lockers as Ron stood tall over her.
"You keep acting like you're better than everyone else, putting other people down just because you don't have any real friends, just a posse of yes's men and airheads! If you want some real friends, stop acting like a selfish brat and maybe you might have some! But you know what I find sad about you, Bonnie! Is that I honestly believe that you could be an amazing person if you didn't have your head shoved up your butt!" he yelled as tears formed in her eyes.
"But all you seem to focus on is things no one cares about, and obsess about what Kim does! It's always been like that, 'Kim should do this' and 'Kim should do that'. You always complain about Kim being better than you, but what do you do about it...NOTHING! You just moan and complain and think it's going to change anything! If you want to be better than Kim, THEN START ACTING LIKE A REAL PERSON!" he shouted right in her face as she slumped to the floor.
Ron finally took a moment to breathe an annoyed sigh, as he looked around at the stunned face of the other teens.
"AND WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ALL LOOKING AT!?" he shouted as they flinched back from him. Ron looked around, as he noticed the absolute shock on Bonnie's face or the look of disbelief on Kim's as he silently cursed to himself.
"STOPPABLE!" he suddenly heard as Barkin managed to push his way to the commotion, an enraged look across his face. "My office, now!" he shouted as Ron sighed heavily.
'Just great,' he thought to himself as he marched towards Barkin's office, while Barkin looked back at the students.
"Show's over folks, get back to class!" he ordered as they filed out back to class, instantly gossiping about what just happened.
Kim, on the other hand, was staring with concern as she had never seen Ron explode like that. He always took whatever Bonnie said with a grain of salt and just shook it off. But something was different this time. Something was bothering him, and she had to find out what.
Barkin's Office
Ron sat cross-armed in the chair in front of Barkin's desk, as he refused to make eye contact with the former military man. The man glared at him as he sat behind his desk. The sound of the clock ticking away as both sat in silence.
"...So, Stoppable...I can't help but notice that you're not your usual... 'Ron' self… especially after that little incident with Rockwaller. Is there something you'd like to discuss?" he asked as Ron sighed heavily.
"...Can I be honest with you, Mr B?" he asked as the man nodded. "I'm...I'm angry. I'm angry at a lot of things recently," he got up from his chair and started pacing the room. "It feels like everything in my life has been thrown into chaos. Ever since this Eric guy showed up, everything has changed." he leaned on the wall as he crossed his arms.
"My best friend has a boyfriend, and now I'm more alone than I've ever been in my life, and I honestly don't know what I'm going to do now. I-I mean if Kim's got this boyfriend, who she seems serious about, where do I fit in? I've been with Kim ever since we were in Pre-K, she's had my back more times than I can count, and I've had hers. But I'm always the distraction, the guy that runs around and draws attention away from Kim. Then at the end of the day, Kim is praised as the Hero, while I'm shoved off to the side..." he walked over to the window as he looked outside.
"And I've been okay with that. I'm a little annoyed that no one remembers my name, but I get over it. But...now...I don't know what's going to happen. Do I still go on missions with her, or does she replace me with Eric? And then what? Do I just fade into the background, or should I do something about it? If I'm honest...I want things to go back to the way they were before. But I doubt that's going to happen," he said as he walked around the room while Barkin followed him with his gaze.
"I'm really confused...and I don't know what to do…" he said as he slumped back into his seat.
"...Well Stoppable, I don't want to sound blunt, but it looks like you've finally realised the truth," Barkin said as Ron raised a brow.
"The truth?"
"That nothing ever stays the same, and that everything eventually starts to change. You've been living your life in a certain rhythm, and that rhythm has worked for you, so long as you've had Possible by your side. But now that she's found someone she admires, someone she may want to spend her life with, you're finding yourself in a completely different field." he explained, as Ron leaned forward.
"During my time in the military, I learnt very early on that if a soldier doesn't adapt to a new situation, that soldier ends up failing or worse. Right now Stoppable you need to ask yourself, what are you going to do without Kim Possible? What type of Man will you be, and what are you willing to do about it?" he asked the young man who hung his head in thought.
"Now, I don't approve of your little outburst against Miss Rockwaller, and I'm well aware of her rather… 'Antagonistic Personality', but I can't ignore your aggressive behaviour and seeing as it is the last day of the school year... a half hour of Detention," he said as Ron nodded and got up to leave.
"Swell…" Ron muttered in frustration as he left the room.
The rest of the school day carried in an awkward silence. Ron doing his best to avoid everyone, and everyone else doing their best to avoid him. The now infamous 'Rockwaller Smackdown' had spread all over the school, how the 'Loser' Ron Stoppable had verbally destroyed Bonnie Rockwaller, who had still yet to recover.
Kim had tried to talk to Ron, but he kept avoiding her all day. During class he'd sit far from her, he even skipped lunch just to avoid her, all the way to detention. Where she sat outside the door. He only managed to get out of there thanks to 'Tiny' who was useful as a meat shield. But outside, yeah he had no chance of outmaneuvering her.
"Ron! Ron! Ron, will you just wait up a minute!" Kim yelled as she managed to get in front of him. "Do you want to explain what that was all about? Since when do you even back chat to Bonnie?"
"Look Kim, it was nothing, can we just drop it," Ron tried to argue.
"No, we cannot. Ron you've been acting strange ever since the Bueno Nacho thing, what's going on with you?" she asked as she stared him in the eyes.
It took nearly all of Ron's will not break under her gaze. He knew from long experience that under her gaze, he couldn't hide everything from her. But he could admit to certain other things.
"Look KP...where do I stand?" he asked as she looked confused
"What are you talking about?"
"Where do I stand with us? I know I'm your friend, and I've always supported whatever relationship you were after. But ever since Eric came into town you've been spending more and more time with him than you do me."
"What does Eric have to do with this?" she asked as Ron threw his arms up.
"Everything Kim! He has to do everything! I feel like you are phasing me out of your life to hang around with him! We barely see each other anymore, and I feel like you're happier about it! Next thing I know you're going to want him on missions instead of me!"
"Ron, he is my boyfriend, so of course I'm going to spend more time with him. And I'm not phasing you out of my life! Nor am I replacing you on missions, those are way too dangerous to bring Eric along-"
"But you're fine with me going instead!?" he argued, feeling somewhat hurt.
"It's not like that Ron, I know you can handle yourself on a mission, but Eric is very important to me right now!"
"And I'm not!?"
"Ron! Stop acting like a child and listen to me! Of course, you're important to me! Just as much as Eric. But the difference being is Eric is someone I might see spending the rest of my life with…do you understand?" she admitted as Ron looked directly into her gaze.
"...Do you want to know something stupid, Kim? I used to think I'd spend the rest of my life with you…and now...I don't even know what I'm going to do without you?" Ron admitted as Kim felt her heart skip a beat for a moment.
She had felt this before, times when she sort of played with the idea of them being more than just friends. It wasn't all bad, she could sort of see it working out. And she knew that there was something in her that made her feel 'green-eyed' whenever she saw Ron had the interest of other girls. Like Yori or Zita. there was something between them, and it almost seemed like it would be the right thing...
But then she thought about Eric, and how perfect he was compared to Ron's...Roness and she had to push it down as she shook her head.
"Ron...I care about you...I do...But...I think it's time you grew up…" she told him sadly as Ron felt a pain in his chest.
"...Right...of course…" he gripped his hand into a fist as he fought back the tears.
"Ron…"
"No, I get it. Eric is...is important to you and...and I'm just the friend...I get that now Kim…" he said as released a shaky breath as she tried to reach out for him, but he shook off her hand. "I'm sorry to bother you, you...you have a good time with Eric. I won't get in the way…" he said as turned to walk away.
"Ron…" Kim weakly called out, but she was too numb to move. Her head and her heart were in overdrive and she didn't know which one she should focus on. She felt tears run down her face as she wondered if she had possibly gone too far.
Ron meanwhile was walking away from his best friend, his heart in total shambles as he wandered. He knew it would hurt, hearing words like that from Kim, but he just didn't think it would hurt this badly. It wasn't like she was being mean, he knew that. But it just felt worse hearing them being said out loud. And really, what chance did he have with her? She was popular, athletic, smart, saved the world on multiple occasions and had probably the brightest future anyone at Middleton High could ever have.
While he was just the same guy he'd been since Pre-K. He had been clinging to her this whole time and he hadn't grown since. Sure there were times when he had managed to grow, and be better. But most of the time he let stuff get to his head, and he'd be right back where he started…
Was this all that life had to offer him? Was he ready to face a world without Kim Possible by his side?
"...Maybe...it's time I find out?" he asked himself as he marched his way back home.
Yori was sitting in the living room, meditating in a peaceful trance. That was until Ron entered the home, and instantly she could tell something was bothering him.
"Stoppable-san?" she asked.
"..." he said nothing as his hair shadowed his eyes.
"Are you okay, what is?" she began to ask when he suddenly spoke.
"Were you serious?" he asked, causing her to stop. "About your offer...can you help me unlock my true potential?" he asked as she stared before nodding with utmost seriousness.
"Yes," she said as Ron sighed.
"...Then I accept…" he said as he looked back up at her. "I'll go back to Yamanouchi...I want to find out who I am," he told her as she nodded.
"I will inform Master Sensei," she said. "We can leave any time you wish, it would not be difficult to organize transportation,"
"Can we leave tonight?" he asked as she was momentarily stumped.
"Tonight? Are you sure, Stoppable-San? What about your parents?"
"Mom and Dad have someone to look after the house when I go on long missions, I'll just call them up before we leave. And they'll be 'excited' to hear that a prominent school wants to 'lecture' me."
"And what of your friend, Possible-san?" she asked as Ron's eyes clouded over momentarily with depression
"...I just...need to get away from Kim for a while. She'll be fine…" he said as he went upstairs. "I'll go pack…" he said as she walked away, leaving a concerned Rufus and Yori.
Ron entered his room and he took a moment to calm his beating heart. His hands curled into fists as small tears began to roll down his cheeks. His emotions finally got the best of him, as he slid down the door and curled himself into a ball. Today had to be the worst day of his entire life, but it was also the start of his new life. For every journey of a Hero Begins with Tragedy.
...This one just involved one of the Heart…
Possible Residence
Kim sat on her bed, legs pulled into her chest as she went over the day with Ron. She thought about the words she said, and the way she said them as she felt herself feeling worse and worse with each passing second.
"Maybe I was too harsh...I mean, would it be that bad if we did...date?" she asked herself as she picked up her Panda-Roo and stared at it as if talking to it.
"..." The Panda-Roo's button eyes stare into her soul.
"Don't look at me like that, Ron's just a friend. My best friend. We've known each other since Pre-K. I know every embarrassing moment of his life, just as he knows every embarrassing moment of mine. Plus he can be immature and let his ego be inflated. It would be weird if we started dating. Plus I'm with Eric now, and he makes me happy…" she said but then frowned.
"..." The Panda-Roo's head tilts from gravity as if asking 'Seriously?'
"But Ron always does pull through for me in the end. He even risks himself from time to time to make sure I'm safe. Heck, he even went to an Amazon Rainforest just to find a cure to one of Drakken's schemes…" She tilted her stuffed animal to the side as if to point out Ron's perks.
"..." she held the stuffed plushie to the other side as if arguing about Eric.
"But Eric is just so sweet, charming and handsome, and he knows exactly what to say to me. It's like he was made for me…I can't deny that Ron has his faults, but Eric is just so...perfect...could I go for someone like Ron, with Eric around?" she asked her Panda-Roo as it said nothing.
"..."
"...And I just realised I'm talking to a stuffed animal...perfect…" she said as she put the stuffed toy down and threw her arms over her face.
Beep-Beep-Bebop!
Suddenly her Kimmunicator went off as she grabbed the device expecting it to be another mission from Wade.
"What's the Sitch, Wade?"
"Kim, are you going somewhere with Ron?" he asked as she raised a brow.
"No, why do you ask?" she asked, feeling slightly worried.
"Well, I got an alert that Ron just booked a ticket to Japan, I figured something was going on at the Yamanouchi school and-"
"Wait- Rewind! Ron's going to Japan!"
"Y-Yeah, according to this he booked a flight that's set to leave in an hour. What's going on Kim?"
"I'll explain later!" Kim said as she bolted out of her room, and down the stairs. "Mom! I need to get to the airport!" she yelled.
"Sorry Kimmy, your father had to drive the boys to the emergency room after they tried to create a fusion-powered rocket...what's the rush?"
"Ron! Airplane! Japan! No time!" she yelled as she ducked out of the house, just as Monique pulled up in her family's car.
"Monique!? But how did-"
"Wade sent me a message, hop in girl!" she said as Kim hopped in the car and it sped off to the airport.
"So what's going on, why is Ron heading off to Japan?" Monique asked as she drove.
"We were talking about his strange behaviour at school. He asked where he fits in my life now, and that I've been 'phasing him out'. I told him that I still care for him, but then I...I think I might have said something I shouldn't have?" Kim said as Monique looked over to her with a raised brow.
"And...what exactly did you say, or more importantly...what did he say?" she asked as Kim felt her cheeks flush and she found herself feeling very uncomfortable.
"He...He said he always imagined that we'd...we'd always be together," she said as Monique raised a brow.
"So wait, you think he meant...oh...oh boy...and what did you say?" she asked as Kim looked down with a look of shame.
"That I didn't feel the same way," Monique suddenly put the brake on just as the light went red, and she turned to the girl.
"Oh...oh snap…that must've hurt him?" she said as Kim nodded and groaned.
"I know, I know…" Kim said as she leaned back into the seat with her hands over her face. "I didn't mean to sound bad, but I just thought about Eric and how perfect he was compared to Ron and I think I chose him over my best friend. and now because of it, he's probably on his way to Japan to get away from me! I feel like, like…"
"Like a total Bonnie?" Monique asked as Kim glared a little but nodded.
"Well...I kind of understand. But why Japan? Is he thinking of transferring over to the School he went to last year?" she asked as Kim had her suspicions it had something to do with a certain Japanese girl that made her envy twitch.
"I don't know...But I need to get there before he goes away forever, or else I'll feel like the worst person in the entire world!" she said as Monique noticed the light go green.
"Well, let's get you there before that," she said as she drove faster. "But girl, you know that right now he might just be trying to get his head on straight."
"By going halfway around the world?"
"He's a guy, guys do dumb things all the time. Maybe he thinks some space from you will help clear his head?"
"I didn't mean to be mean, I just...I don't know what I want anymore?" Kim admitted as they pulled into the airport drop-off.
"Well you better figure it out quickly, 'cause we're here," she said but Kim had already shot out of the car to the terminal. "...I'll just stay here then?"
Kim rushed through the terminal, just making it through security as she looked for all the flights headed to Japan. So far there was only one, but it was on the other side of the airport and was boarding in 15 minutes.
"I can make it!" she said as she dashed, hopped over baggage carts and zipped her way to the terminal. "Don't be late! Don't be late!" she said as she desperately hoped that she wasn't about to lose her best friend forever.
Ron stood at the terminal ready to board, this time with a much smaller baggage as he had learned his mistake from last time. Yori had already boarded and was just waiting for him, he just needed a moment to ready himself.
"Okay, this is it..." he told himself as he got ready to line up.
"Ron!" he paused as he looked back to see Kim running at him full speed.
"Kim?" he said as Kim managed to tackle him in a bear hug and grip on tight.
"Ron! Don't go! I know what I said was wrong, and I was being such a Bonnie! But you don't have to move to Japan just to avoid me! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! So please don't go!" she begged as she held onto him tight.
Ron felt his cheeks flush at the warm feeling of Kim hugging him tight. It was sending him all sorts of confusing messages that made him both happy and confused. But there was something he needed to address.
"Whoa, whoa, KP calm down. I'm not moving away," he said as he managed to unravel her arms from him. "Look there's...something I have to do, and I need to go to Japan to do it.," he explained.
"But why? Look I know what I said was harsh, but I never meant to make you feel upset. I just...I just don't know what's going on with me right now. But you don't have to go all the way to Japan just to avoid me," she begged as Ron shook his head.
"I'm not doing it to avoid you...okay maybe a little," she cringed hearing that, until Ron continued. "But the thing is Kim, you're right...it's time I grew up and started acting my age. I've relied on you for so long that I've gotten complacent, lazy even. Hell, you had to choose another science partner because of how lazy I am. I'm starting to think that because I relied on you for everything...I'm not ready for what comes next…" he said as he avoided her gaze.
"Ron, don't say that, of course, you're...ready?" she said with a certain amount of uncertainty.
"See, even you think I'm not ready for the real world. I've been acting like a kid my whole life, and look where it's gotten me. I'm going to Japan because I need to be better than what I am. To be a real partner for you on missions, and a better friend.
"Ron, you are a good friend and a great person. You don't have to do this..." she argued as she held her hand in his. But he slowly put it down as he looked her in the eye.
"But the thing is, I need to do this. I need to see what I am capable of...without Kim Possible in my life…"
Kim felt sadder and worse than before, as she digested his words. Because of what she said, she had placed doubt in her best friend. The one boy that has always had her back, all because of some boy she was dating. But at the same time, he was right. Ron was more of a child than he would admit, and she often worried about what would happen to him after high school and later down the line. She always wanted him to take things more seriously, and live up to the potential that was in him. She just wished it didn't take him so far away.
Maybe… maybe this was what they both needed…
"...Okay… I don't like it, but I understand…" she said as she held him in her arms. "Just...promise me you won't change too much, I don't want you to lose all that essential 'Roness' that makes you who you are…" she said as Ron chuckled a little and nodded.
"I doubt that, but I promise..." he said as they embraced each other in a meaningful hug. "Goodbye Kim, I'll see you when I get back," he said before he picked up his duffle and walked towards the plane.
He stopped just short of the gate, as he looked back to Kim and waved goodbye one last time, as she too waved back with a sad smile as well. Before he boarded the plane. But Kim stayed at the airport until his plane took off into the sky, and she was still just watching as the planes took off. Watching as her best friend took off halfway across the world. Deep inside, she wondered if she could've said something else to change his mind, to make him stay with her. But he was right, he needed this, and maybe she did too.
Monique walked up behind her as Kim was seated at the terminal. "You okay Kim?" she asked as the teen heroine just continued to stare out the window. "So, he took off?" she asked as she nodded. "But he's coming back, right?" Kim nodded again, and Monique sighed "You think he's going to be alright?" she asked as Kim just stared at the planes flying by.
"I hope so, Monique...I really hope so…" she said as Monique smiled a little and embraced her friend on the seat.
15 Hours Later - Yamanouchi Japan
Ron and Yori stood before the grand winding stairs of Yamanouchi, as Ron took the moment to stare at the path ahead of him. Before he hated climbing these stairs, mostly due to his immaturity and overall laziness. But seeing them now, he understood a little of what they represented. They were the start of his new journey, a path to symbolise the hard work he would have to put into himself if he wanted to become a better person. It was really meaningful now…
But still, a sky tram or an elevator couldn't hurt either, could it?
"Are you ready, Stoppable-san?" Yori asked as Ron nodded.
"Yeah, I just...need a moment…" he said as he breathed out a relaxing sigh and picked up his duffel bag.
"Okay, Let's go…" he said as she nodded and led him up the path to Yamanouchi. After a long trip that didn't fully wind Ron this time around. Okay, he was a little winded, but not as bad as the first time he would admit. Soon they made it to the foot of Yamanouchi as the elderly Sensei awaited them at the front gate.
"Master Sensei," both said with a bow as Sensei replied in kind.
"Yori, Welcome home, and Stoppable-san, I am pleased that you decided to take our offer, and complete your training."
"Thank you Sensei, I've been...conflicted about a lot of stuff recently and...I feel like I can make sense of it all here," Ron said as Sensei nodded.
"Indeed, I sense this conflict within you. Your life has been altered by unforeseen events. You now find yourself on a diverging path that leads to multiple journeys. We can help you navigate through these paths, but it will not be easy. You will be faced with challenges both in mind and body, it will test you to the point you may very well break. But the choice is yours, merely step forward…"
Ron looked down at the ground to his feet, and then to the statue of Toshimiru as he stood before the gate. "I came all the way here, not turning back now…" he said as he then narrowed his gaze and took a step forward.
Sensei nodded "Very well Stoppable-san. You may take the day to rest, and relax. For tomorrow, your training on the Path of the Shinobi will begin." he said as he gestured to the building.
Ron nodded as he followed the two inside. Taking the first steps on his path of change. Many trials awaited him, and many times he would be faced with challenges both in body and spirit. But he would rise to the challenge, for he was determined to become someone new, someone better than what he used to be.
...All for the sake of someone he loved…
And Scene. Well, here is Chapter II of Path of the Shinobi. I'm really into this rework at the moment, after I had reread my old story and realised that there were a lot of problems with it. I made Kim too OC and I felt that I could've done better in the end. This is why I decided to cram the idea of Rise of the Unstoppable into the first chapter, and then explore his path in other chapters.
Going back to Yamanuchi, finishing his training, cause I also felt he could've learned more at the school, but you know cartoons and time. So with this Ron has started his journey along his new path. How will it affect the dynamics of Team Possible, how will it affect their friendship later on and will Kim admit the feelings that she harbours for Ron? Well, let's find out to gather as we continue the Path of the Shinobi in…
Chapter III: Conflicts of the Heart