Somewhere in Japan.

The night sky was clear over Yamanouchi, the stars twinkling down at the school that was secretly a training ground for ninjas. Master Sensei sat in a meditative pose, the wind gently tussling his long facial hair. Before him Ron Stoppable sat, well more like squirmed while trying to copy the serene example that his teacher was providing.

Ron twisted around, trying to reach an itch on his back, then twisted the other way when he couldn't quite get it. When that didn't work he leaned forward and tried with both hands. The effort he was putting into reaching the itch had him bent so far forward that his nose was almost touching the ground and both arms were bent at odd angles. Master Sensei opened one eye to watch the spectacle. He began counting to himself and just as he thought, right as he reached five Ron seemed to explode into a series of frantic contortions.

"Ok that's it!" Ron said with determination. "Itch you have met your match!" He proceeded to roll around on the ground, trying in vain to get at the spot on his back. He stuffed his arms inside his gi, then somehow a leg followed.

Master Sensei was forced to admit he was impressed with his student's flexibility, not that he would say as much to the young man. The wise old teacher had found that pointing out Ron's talents resulted in either the young man not believing or taking the extreme opposite route and growing too full of himself. It also almost always resulted in Ron suddenly losing the ability to use said talents. Something Master Sensei had yet to quite understand. Ron Stoppable was indeed a unique person. One who was wholly unaware of his potential.

He had hoped by bringing the young man to Yamanouchi that he could train him in the use of the Mystical Monkey Powers and thus fulfill the ultimate destiny of the Lotus Blade and its chosen master. Only that had not been the case. Young Stoppable was...taxing. He failed at nearly every lesson while attending the secret ninja school. They dare not allow him to train with real weapons after he knocked himself out trying to perform a basic bo spin. Then there was the mystery of how he'd entangled himself on the rope walk, a test of balance that only used a single length of rope stretched tight, several feet off the ground. In fact the only things the boy excelled at were cooking, of which even Master Sensei would readily admit after his third helping the first night Ron had served on meal preparation, and surprisingly flower arranging. It would seem that the boy was very creative, but lacked anything resembling control where his physical abilities were concerned. Something only made worse when a spotlight was placed on him.

"Stoppable-san." Master Sensei spoke calmly.

Ron to his credit had become a human knot of limbs and consternation, the itch still eluding him as he rolled around on the hard packed dirt of the flower garden that spread out around the two of them.

Clearing his throat, the wise old man tried speaking a bit louder. "Stoppable-san perhaps if you..."

"Yeah yeah, one sec." Ron growled as he tugged on a part of his gi with his teeth.

Master Sensei abandoned his own meditative pose, placing his hands palm down on his crossed legs, watching the sight before him with a barely hidden grin. The boy was bent in ways that any one of his other students would be hard pressed to mimic and he had done it so effortlessly, but only because he was almost completely unaware of what he was doing. Once again Master Sensei marveled at what Ron could accomplish when he wasn't thinking about it.

With another growl Ron flipped over onto his back and started to scooch around hoping to scratch the itch using the ground, only the thick fabric of his gi was preventing it. In frustration he rolled backwards, bringing his feet up and over his head so that he was in a crouch. For exactly one second he was still as stone, then he freaked out, turning into a frenzy of physical gymnastics as he went for the itch over and over.

After watching with something akin to awe for a few moments Master Sensai sighed to himself and stood in one fluid motion despite his advanced age. His steps were smooth as he approached the human pretzel that Ron had become. He appraised the tangle of boy, cloth, and limbs for a second and then moved with precision.

Ron found himself snatched off the ground, forced to stand straight, arms at his sides, gi smoothed and adjusted perfectly, and the itch finally gone as Master Sensei stood behind him pressing a single finger against the middle of his back. The blond almost melted into a puddle. "Ohhhhh yeah."

Chuckling Master Sensei stepped back, clasping his hands behind him. "It is my honor to assist you Stoppable-san."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Ron turned with a lopsided grin. "Still not used to that."

"To what?" the old man questioned with a raised brow.

"All that honor and respect stuff." Ron admitted, casting his eyes down. "Just not used to that." Quickly looking up worriedly. "Not that it isn't awesome! Cause it is!" He really hopped he hadn't upset Sensei.

The old man nodded. "I sense there is more."

Ron sighed, his hands twisting nervously. "I'm just not used to it is all. The whole time I've been here everyone has been all..it is my honor to this...or it is my honor that...they've all been so nice. Even when I screw up, which is a lot. I mean a lot!"

"Is that so wrong Stoppable-san?"

"Yes, I mean no!" Ron stumbled over his words as often as he did his feet. "I'm just not used to it."

"You are the Chosen One, it is only right that you are given respect Stoppable-san."

Rom huffed out a big sigh at those words. This again. "Look I know you guys think that, not sure why, but honestly I'm no big deal. I'm not like Kim or Wade or Mr and Mrs Dr P or …."

Stopping what he knew was going to come with a raised hand, Master Sensei stepped up to his young student and firmly took hold of the boy's shoulders. "You are you, that is enough. Never forget that Stoppable-san. In this world many people will demand things of us, but we must always remain true to ourselves. All one can do is that, for in the end it is the only real truth to be found."

"Ok my brain is starting to tingle again." as it always did when Sensei got philosophical.

"To put it in words you will understand Stoppable-san..." Master Sensei smiled warmly. "Never be normal."

Ron smiled. "You got it Sensei!"

Patting his student gently, the old teacher turned to guide him from the garden. "I am glad to hear that Stoppable-san. Now I think it is time for you to seek sleep. Tomorrow is your last day with us and your final test still awaits."

"Final test?" Ron asked.

"Do not worry. I have faith in you." Master Sensei slyly intoned as he let Ron continue on his own.

Once the young man was gone Master Sensei turned to face the garden and its collection of flowers. He stood there for the span of several heartbeats before he lifted his voice to the cool night air. "Come."

Seeming to melt out of the shadows Yori approached and bowed respectfully before kneeling comfortably on the ground. "Hai Master." she spoke reverently.

Lowering himself into a sitting position the old man made a show of stroking his long beard with one hand, his eyes intent on the slender girl before him. "Speak freely my child."

Yori took a moment to smooth out her own gi, using the time to sort her words. At last she felt ready to say what had been on her mind for the past two days. "We can not let him leave." she stated flatly.

"Oh?" Master Sensei posed the single syllable question with a touch of mirth.

"He is the Chosen One." her words serious. "It is his destiny to wield the Lotus Blade and save the world. How can we allow him to shirk his duty."

Master Sensei seemed to ponder the girl's words as he nodded slowly. "I see."

She sensed he was not truly agreeing with her, so she pressed on. "The sword chose him! Monkey Fist was stopped because of Stoppable-san despite the aid given to him by the traitor Fukushima!"

"Indeed this is true. Though Stoppable-san was himself not without aid as I recall. Were you not also part of Monkey Fist's defeat? It could be argued that it is you who could very well be the Chosen One then if that is all it takes." Master Sensei retorted.

Yori held her emotions in check as she stared at the elderly master before her. "I fail to find the humor in your words Master."

Looking up at the night sky, Master Sensei continued to stroke his beard. "No of course not. It was not truly meant in jest, only to point out the flaw in your reasoning my child."

"There is no flaw. He has the Mystical Monkey Power!" she was adamant.

"Is that all? No other reason you would want him to remain here?" the wise old man asked, directing his gaze back down to his student.

She tensed under his scrutiny, turning her face away slightly, a soft blush spreading over her lovely features. "It is all that matters."

Quietly chuckling, the old man reached out, placing a comforting hand on Yori's shoulder. "My child it is a heavy burden you carry. I wish I could shoulder it for you, but it is the path of the young to walk where the old have already tread."

"It is my honor to do so." she replied.

"Still you would have me keep Stoppable-san from leaving yes?" he asked, already knowing her answer.

"Of course!"

"Even against his will?"

Yori flinched. "I would do what is best for him."

"Ah so you know what is best for him now?"

The young ninja gaped at her master with wide eyes. "I would never presume!"

Lifting a hand to calm her, the old man rested back into his sitting position, stroking his beard once more. "I know you only want what is best for young Stoppable-san, but we can only guide, not force."

She lowered her head, looking at her hands where they rested in her lap. She felt so powerless in all of this. Ron had not only saved her from that horrid Monkey Fist, but returned the Lotus Blade to Yamanouchi. Yes she had helped, but ultimately it had been Ron who had made it possible. Honestly why couldn't her Master see with all his wisdom what she could? That Ron's place was here. It had nothing to do with her own feelings for the freckle faced young man and his pretty brown eyes.

"You seem lost in thought my child." Master Sensei said with a sly grin.

She snapped out her daydream with a darker blush than before. "Sorry Master!"

"Let it not trouble you my child. I have grown fond of our temporary student myself, though not as fond as some." his words teasing.

Choosing to ignore the very obvious meaning behind those words, Yori pressed her argument. "Then please Master, find a way to keep Stoppable-san here. He must not turn from his destiny!"

The old man pursed his lips and then simply shrugged. "It has always been odd to me when destiny is spoken of. One must accept their destiny or one must follow their destiny. I always wondered how could one avoid something that is meant to happen. After all that is what destiny means is it not? Something preordained by fate, the gods, the universe itself. A thing that will happen no matter what. If that is truly what destiny is then there is no choice that can avoid it one would think. No path taken that does not lead back to destiny."

Yori furrowed her brows in thought.

"Forgive the musings of an old man my child." Master Sensei offered with a knowing smile. "What I am saying is that we have done what we can to show Stoppable-san his path. We have instructed him as best we could given our time with him. It is his choice to accept what we think as truth or not. For we ourselves can not know the future, not truly. All we may do is play our part. Stoppable-san does not share our belief that he is the Chosen One. He is adamant of that. We can not force him to accept our ways any more than we can order a tree to fly."

Yori scoffed in a rare show of consternation before her master. "It is her that is the problem."

"You are referring to Kim Possible yes?"

"Yes Master I am." There was a tinge of heat in her words. "Stoppable-san feels obligated to her. He always puts her before himself. In all things she is his constant thought. He hides behind their friendship, avoiding his potential. If not for her..."

"Careful my child that your own feelings do not cloud your words." Master Sensei warned, his tone very serious.

Reflexively Yori bowed low. "Forgive me."

Master Sensei relaxed, sighing softly. "No my child it is not you who requires forgiveness in this matter. I am the one who must accept his own short comings in this. I had hopped to find the Chosen One in my lifetime. To train and guide them towards saving the world and finally finding peace. Perhaps it is simply not the time for such things. It is our task to guard the Lotus Blade and await the coming of the Yono. Stoppable-san does indeed possess the Mystical Monkey Powers and yes the Lotus Blade did allow him to wield it, but he has chosen another path. The prophecy only says that the Chosen One would have these things, not that there could not be others." Here Master Sensei thought of a certain naked mole rat who also shared in the Mystical Monkey Powers. The very idea of Rufus as the Chosen One was enough to cause the him to laugh.

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Inside the simple room that had been Ron's home away from home while at Yamanouchi, the blond was laying on his back, looking up at the ceiling. Beside him on the bedroll Rufus copied him.

"Well lil buddy tomorrow we head home. This whole week has been something else huh?"

"uhuh uhuh!" came the squeak of a reply.

"I mean it's been fun, but I so will not miss the bruises." Folding his arms under his head, Ron mused out loud to his little friend. "Chosen One huh? I just don't see it."

Rufus hopped up on his hind legs. "Powers!"

"Aw not you too buddy!" Rom lamented. "Look I'll admit that since being blasted by those...ugh...monkey..." shivering as he said the word, "...idol things that some odd stuff has happened, but come on. I'm not some Chosen One. I'm not gonna save the world. KP does that like every week!"

Several indignant squeaks later Ron sat up and tried to calm his little naked mole rat buddy down. "Ok Ok I admit that I help, but you know what I mean. Hello...side kick here." he said pointing to himself with both hands. "Distraction extraordinaire amigo. The Ron man knows his limits ok. Pressing big obvious self destruct buttons I can do. Tripping up goons and henchmen I'm your man. I know my limits buddy and trust me the whole saving the world thing is all KP."

Rufus crossed his little arms defiantly and glared.

"With a little help from me." Ron admitted, then lifted up his hand to show his finger and thumb very close together. "Teeny weeny little help from me." he almost squeaked himself under his pet's glare.

Rufus spun around as if ignoring him.

"Come on buddy don't be like that!" Ron pleaded.

"Hmmph!" Rufus turned his nose up.

Blowing out a long breath, Ron lay back down. "Don't get me wrong buddy, its been a blast here. Everybody is so nice and they don't call me names or shove me in lockers. Not that I've even seen a locker since I got here, but you know what I mean."

Hearing this Rufus turned back around and scampered over to place a comforting paw on Ron's arm.

"Thanks pal. I knew you'd understand that much at least."

The young blond lay thinking for a few minutes before speaking again.

"It's not that I don't appreciate what Sensei did for me. Bringing me all the way to Japan and trying to teach me to be a badical ninja, but all this Chosen One stuff and Mystical M-Mon...Monke...the powers." Ron took a moment to recover. "No thank you. I got enough with the missions and just trying to survive school. If there is a Chosen One out there buddy I hope they find them."

Rufus gave Ron's arm a friendly pat.

"Thanks again pal." Ron gave the little naked mole rat a fist/paw bump. "Don't know what I'd do without you."

Ron pulled the blanket up to his chest and readied himself to try and get some sleep. "I wonder what this final test thing Sensei was talking about is?"

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The next day found Ron kneeling in one of Yamanouchi's many courtyards, dressed in his gi, a wooden bo staff resting on the ground at his side. The only other person there was Master Sensei who stood on a dias a few yards away. He looked very stern today, his robes flowing around him in the wind. To his own credit Ron had gone through the day's training with almost no complaints. All the running, jumping, stretching, and yes even meditating had started to feel less like major hurdles to deal with and more like actual things he could do. He'd even entertained keeping up some of the stuff once he got back home.

"Stoppable-san."

Master Sense's voice cut through his thoughts. The old man's tone was all business today. To his surprise Ron heard his own voice reply. "Hai Master!" Ok that was awesome sauce he thought.

Standing with the full authority of his position at the school, Master Sensei folded his arms behind him and let his dark eyes fall on his student where he knelt. "Today you prepare to leave Yamanouchi. Though my heart is heavy with this knowledge I accept your choice. I will honor you and keep your time here close to my heavy heart as a gift. For this I thank you."

Ron wasn't ready for the tightness that gripped his chest and fought to keep from sniffling. The old man continued.

"Though you have not shown that you have gained any great insights from out teachings."

Harsh! Ron thought.

"Never the less you have inspired and gained the respect of every single soul here. My own included." Master Sensei offered with the very barest hint of a smile. "It is with our greatest hopes that we send you home today and with our fondest wishes. Know that you will always be welcome here. That Yamanouchi awaits your return Stoppable-san."

The young hero was humbled by his teacher's words. Was all that really true?

"However there is one thing that remains before you go. One last lesson." Master Sensei spoke solemnly, causing Ron to look up curiously as the old man extended an arm to gesture off to the side.

To Ron's surprise Yori stepped into the courtyard, dressed in a gi the same as him, only she carried a sheathed katana in her left hand. Without a word she bowed to Master Sensei, then turned to face Ron and gave another bow, though not as deep. Rising she took hold of the katana and slowly drew it from its sheath. Here eyes were serious.

"Um...What's going on Yori?" Ron all but wilted under her gaze.

"This young Stoppable-san is your final lesson. In this world there are times when we must fight against that which we would rather not. Often it is our very selves we must face. Our own failings. Our urges. Our instincts. It is a warrior's purpose to always strive to overcome limitations. To be the best one can be, to be true to oneself. These things are intangible. Not easily grasped."

Ron felt his brain going all tingly again, but Yori's eyes kept him focused where she stood glaring at him. Her face was a mask that gave nothing away.

"However Stoppable-san there are things you must face that are all too easy to grasp. Things like an enemy standing before you." He waved a hand towards Yori.

Ron scratched the top of his head. "Ok, but all I see is Yori."

Instantly the slender ninja propelled herself forward so fast that Ron only avoided having his head sliced clean in half by the merest fraction of a second as he threw himself sideways. He scrambled to his feet, eyes wide as dinner plates, and tried to avoid the gleaming blade of Yori's sword as she attacked from all angles, pressing him back across the courtyard.

"WHOA WHOA TIME OUT!" Ron shouted, but nothing halted the attacks.

Master Sensei watched on as if nothing at all was amiss. "Why do you hesitate Stoppable-san? An enemy lies before you."

Ron ducked a kick, then rolled backwards as Yori dropped low with a follow up sweep of her other leg. The blond teen crouched down and tried to catch his breath only to find that he wasn't out of breath in the slightest. Maybe all the training had done something after all? His thoughts were almost literally cut short as Yori sliced the air where his head had just been. Only rolling forward and under her attack had Ron managed to stay alive.

"Yori isn't my enemy!" he said as he got to his feet and backed away from the female ninja, his hands raised. "She's my friend. What's going on Sensei."

If Ron's words had any effect on Yori, she didn't show it. Instead she took a firmer grip on the katana and strode towards her target with deadly intent.

"Stoppable-san one does not have the luxury of choosing one's enemies. Before you is an enemy who has shown a willingness to take your life. She gives no demands and allows no negotiation. She will kill you Stoppable-san."

"WHAT?!" Ron yelped only to dodge back as the katana sliced through the front of his gi, almost drawing blood.

"Enough Stoppable-san!" Master Sensei roared. "The enemy is there. Now decide." His face took on a severe visage. "Fight or die."

Ron back peddled as the steel blade slashed at him over and over, then he tripped over the bo staff he'd brought with him and landed with a resounding thump on his butt. "Ow!"

Yori leapt high into the air, both hands bringing the katana down in a deadly arc that promised to cleave a certain naco loving teenager in half. Without thinking Ron flipped backwards, grabbing the bo as he did a handspring into a standing position. Yori landed, bending her knees to absorb the impact, then stood, flicking the katana in a half circle as she eyed her target.

Ron gripped the bo like a lifeline, sweat breaking out all over as he looked into the dark eyes of the girl he counted as a friend. None of this made any sense. Yori wasn't his enemy. He shouldn't have to fight her.

"Hey there Yori h-hows it going?" he tried small talk.

She didn't reply, only dashed forward with an upward slice of her weapon. Ron stumbled back and felt the bo separate so that he held a half in each hand. Even before he could register that his own weapon had been cut in two, Yori spun around and drilled her foot into his chest with a kick so hard that it sent him flying onto his back.

Gonna feel that for a while Ron thought as he grimaced in pain. Still though, not as hard as one of Shego's kicks so at least there was that.

Yori stood over the fallen blond and pointed the katana at his face. Ron didn't move, he didn't dare breathe. In fact he forgot how to blink.

For the first time she spoke, her voice low and full of emotions that Ron didn't fully understand. "You...You...fool." her lips set into a thin line for a moment. "You come here and what do you do? You squander a once in a life time, no a hundred life times chance. You are meant to save the world. To be part of something truly grand and you would throw it all away for what? A life where you are mocked. Where you are bullied. A life beholden to people who know nothing of who and what you truly are?" Tears had begun to slide down her cheeks. "Do you have any idea what you are throwing away today? Do you even know how much you will lose once you leave this place." her voice cracked with her next words. "What I will lose?"

Ron knew he was missing something big. Something that might be even more important than Mystical Monkey Powers and all the Chosen One stuff. There was something really serious going on here and it was really effecting Yori, but for the life of him he couldn't figure out what it was. Why wouldn't somebody just tell him? He wasn't a detective or anything. He knew he could be thickheaded and if even he knew that then everybody else had to know it right? So why didn't they just come out and explain it to him?

"Yori I don't understand ok. So just...help me out here huh?" he pleaded.

In her own head Yori hated herself right then. She wanted so very much to throw herself down and hold Ron close and beg for his forgiveness. Those soft brown eyes of his were cutting her soul to its core. So this is love she thought bitterly. Love is cruel and it hurts. It forces you to do things you don't want to do, to people you don't want to. Like hurting the very person you want to do nothing more than hold. However if she wanted to help Ron this was all she could do right now.

"Help you?" she asked mechanically. "Why should I help you when you are abandoning Yamanouchi?" and me she added silently to herself. "You have a destiny, but you would ignore that for a life of tedium and disregard. Here you would be respected, treated as you deserve." with me she again added only to herself.

Ron took a risk and slid himself slowly out from under the deadly point of her sword and got to his feet. Yori allowed him to do this, but she kept her weapon aimed at him the entire time.

"Yori I can't stay here." Ron explained. "Everything I know is back in Middleton. My friends, school, my family, like everything I know is there. I'm not the Chosen One you guys say I am ok. I'm just not."

Her entire body quivered with the effort not to scream her next words. "Yes you are!" her words laced with so much conviction that it gave Ron pause. "You Ronald Stoppable are the one and only Chosen One. I refuse to accept anything else. The Lotus Blade chose you. Can you not understand that?"

Despite his reputation, Ron was not stupid. In fact he was pretty intelligent all things considered, it was just that he rarely felt the need to dig into his brain any further than required. Mostly that meant understanding cooking recipes, video game combo moves, and every line from every movie and tv show he liked. Everything else just came naturally to him, like being friends with KP or just being a nice guy or following his own beat in life. Ron just didn't feel the pressure most of the people his age did when it came to social norms or what was expected of him. He would find his own way in his own time, that's just how he was. It was rare that he ever got serious, but when he did he always delivered. Now was no exception.

Holding the two halves of the bo in each hand Ron squared his shoulders and faced Yori. "Well I didn't chose it."

"What?" his words caused her to falter.

"I didn't chose that sword." Ron stated flatly. "Back home I've been called every name in the book. Been stuffed into every locker and closet. Laughed at. You look up loser in the dictionary and you'll find my picture ok. I get that, I do. Thing is I didn't put my picture there. I don't care what people call me. I don't have to be what everyone else is. I'm just me. I'm the only one who gets to decide who I am. Not some sword. Not some prophecy." he stood up straight and locked onto Yori where she stood. The intensity behind his eyes held her transfixed. "Note the serious face."

Yori had to admit that right now Ron indeed held a very serious aura around him. Gone was the timid boy she'd brought here a week ago and in his place was a young man who was standing before her and expressing himself with great earnesty.

"I refuse to be told who I am ok." Ron stated. "Not even KP gets to do that. Anybody who doesn't like me for me, well that's not my problem. I give everybody the chance to be my friend and I do it a whole lot more than once or twice. I don't care who you are or what you've done. I'll always try to help people, but I'll do it as me. Ron Stoppable. Not some Chosen One and not some monkey powered ninja ok. It's the Ron man or nothing. No refunds, no exchanges."

Master Sensei could not have been prouder of his student in that moment and it was all he could do to keep the smile from his face. Yori too felt an all consuming adoration for the center of her affections. She wanted to run into his arms and bury her face in his chest, then kiss him so hard he couldn't breathe. Yet she could not do that. No, sadly she could not.

"I see." closing her eyes. "So be it." She flashed behind him and the katana sliced all in the same motion. It was so fast that to Ron she might as well have teleported. He felt the pain as the blade cut across the back of his neck.

"AHHHH!" he screamed, falling to his knees as he dropped the pieces of the bo to clutch at the back of his neck. When he pulled a hand to look he saw it covered with blood. His blood. "Oh man...Ohhhhhh this is not good." Then he fainted.

Master Sensei caught him before Ron could hit the ground face first. It had been simple enough to pinch the nerve cluster where the boy's neck and shoulder met, rendering him unconscious. Now he held him with one arm while his other applied pressure to the cut Yori had slashed across the back of Ron's neck. The pulse he felt was strong if not still a bit fast. That would calm in time as the boy slept.

Master Sensei looked to Yori, his face softening. "Well done my child."

Yori dropped the katana as if it were a viper about to bite her. She couldn't help but stare in horror at the blood that stained the tip of the blade. Ron's blood.

"Do not worry my child. He is fine. No doubt you are troubled, but we both know why this was needed. One last thing we could do for Stoppable-san before he returns home yes?"

Gathering herself, Yori could only nod. Her words catching in her throat.

Turning his attention back to the sleeping Ron, Master Sensei focused his Ki, gathering his internal energies for the task to come. He'd sensed something was off with Ron not long after he arrived at Yamanouchi. There was something about the boy's own energies that felt odd. A dark speck seemed to dwell on his person and it just happened to be in the exact spot that Yori had cut. Master Sensei knew that he could trust the task to no other but her, for she alone would do anything to help the young man and that her feelings for him would only aid her in doing so. Master Sensei admitted to himself that asking her to do what she'd done was a hard thing, but it was needed if what he had come to suspect was actually true.

Now with Ron soundly asleep and the afflicted area open, Master Sensei was ready. He sharpened his Ki to a fine point and threaded it into the wound, searching for the dark fleck he knew was there. It was something that did not belong. A thing foreign to Ron. After a few minutes he found it and latched onto it with his Ki, dragging the tiny thing out of the wound with a little gush of blood.

Lowering Ron gently to the ground he motioned for Yori to take his place. She rushed to do so, applying a cloth to Ron's neck and cradling his head in her lap. The tears were still falling from her dark eyes.

Master Sensei produced a small flask of water from his robes and poured it over the tiny thing in his palm, washing it of the blood so that he could study it. As he suspected, it was some sort of technology and very small. He would call for Sekai right away. His former student now held a job at a company on the leading edge of robotics in Tokyo. It was he who had informed Master Sensei that there was a signal coming from the school earlier in the week. It was this information that had prompted him to scan Ron with his mind's eye and thus find the dark speck. No doubt Sekai would confirm what Master Sensei already suspected. That this thing was meant to track Ron and that it had been doing so even while he was here at Yamanouchi.

"Most interesting." the old master said to himself as he looked at the tiny device.

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A few hours later. (Did you read that in the SpongeBob narrator's voice?)

A balding man sat in Master Sensei's quarters studying the tiny chip that had been removed from Ron's neck. Strewn around him were all manner of gadgets and two laptop computers. Sekai Hatamori was affirming what his former teacher had suspected.

"Yes sir it is indeed designed to be tracked using satellites. In fact it has the secondary function of being able to monitor bodily functions such as heart rate and temperature. It really is quite marvelous." holding the tiny chip with a pair of tweezers as he looked through a magnifying lamp.

Where he sat cross legged nearby, Master Sensei stroked his beard and nodded gravely. "I see. Are you sure it could not hear or see what went on here at Yamanouchi?"

Sekai shook his head, setting down the chip before turning to face the older man. "Yes I am very sure. It was implanted too deep for such things and I found nothing in its construction that would suggest it had such abilities. Also this is a custom design. This was made only for this and nothing more. The parts were not expensive either. Who ever did this knew what they were doing, but had very limited resources to work with."

"Interesting."

"What do you wish for me to do with it?" Sekai asked.

Master Sensei leaned forward and with his thumb crushed the chip where it lay on the table. Sekai only nodded. Then the wise teacher stood and moved across the room to stand by a slender alcove in the wall. "Now we wait." he said flatly.

Sekai was about to ask what they were waiting for when a ringing filled the air. Master Sensei held his hand up for silence, then turned to the alcove and reaching in withdrew the receiver of a phone.

"Hello. You have reached the Yamanouchi school, this is Master Sensei speaking."

There was a pause on the other end of the line and then a young voice, one that sounded very worried, asked, "Hi my name is Wade Lo-"

"Ah yes Load-san. It is a pleasure to speak to you. Stoppable-san has spoken many times of you during his stay with us. What can I do for you?" It was not Master Sensei's way to be rude, but this was only to throw the young genius off his game so to speak. As this was the first time the two of them had spoken the wise old man did not want to take any chances.

"He has? I mean...wait. Ugh." Wade wondered if he shouldn't have contacted Kim rather than calling himself. Then again if she found out that Ron's vital signs had suddenly stopped several minutes ago she'd no doubt be on a plane headed for Japan right now. "Right, so um...about Ron."

"Yes?"

"How's everything going?" Wade asked, still typing furiously in an attempt to reconnect with the chip in his friends neck.

"Do you inquire how things are going here at the school, with myself, or your friend Ron?" Master Sensei hid a tiny smile as he could imagine the person on the other end of the line squirming.

"Oh with Ron of course!"

"Ah then you have nothing to worry about. Your friend will be leaving later tonight. His flight will be a late one, but I promise you he will arrive home as expected. Is there any reason you sound so troubled Load-san?"

Wade scrambled for a good answer. Couldn't just tell some old geezer half way around the world that your friend apparently died according to the chip you implanted in his neck. One that his best friend since Pre-K asked you to put there even though you weren't totally on board with the whole idea, but couldn't help but jump at the chance to see if you could even build the chip, much less get it into said friend without him finding out.

"Ummm...Yeah...I, ah just wanted to confirm that he was leaving today." the rotund genius lied.

"Nothing more?"

"Nope." Just hoping I won't have to tell Kim about this, but I so know I will, Wade thought to himself.

"Ah then again it is my great fortune to tell you that yes, Stoppable-san will be right on time."

"Cool...so..." Wade floundered.

"Yes?"

"Could I have a word with Ron?"

Master Sensei stroked his beard with his free hand. "I am afraid Stoppable-san is finishing up a few final tests and can not be disturbed. Is there something you wish for me to pass on to him?"

"Just...Have him call me the moment he can, like the very moment ok?" Wade could already feel a cold sweat breaking out as he considered contacting Kim. Not being able to confirm that Ron was ok was bad enough, but having to wait who knew how long to hear from him, assuming everything was fine and the chip was just malfunctioning was going to be stressful to the max.

"The very moment." Master Sensei promised and he meant it.

"Thank you sir."

"My pleasure Load-san."

Hanging up the phone, Master Sensei turned to face Sekai. "It would appear that Stoppable-san has some very interesting friends back home. Either they have very great concern for his well being or they lack any faith in him." After thinking everything over the old man broke into a grin. "Maybe a little of both I think."

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Yori moved through the halls of the main building silent as a shadow. She was not trying to go unnoticed, it was simply her way to move as such. It had become second nature to her now after a life time of training in the ways of the ninja. She approached Ron's room and stopped outside the door. She felt horrible for what she'd done to him, but it had been her Master's orders and she would not disobey. He had assured her that no harm would come to Ron, well none more than the cut on his neck. She'd been very precise on her strike so as to cause the least amount of damage while still doing as commanded. Now after speaking with Master Sensei and being made aware of just what it was he'd removed from Ron's neck the young ninja was furious. She was sure that Kim Possible had done this. She could not be sure of her motives, but if she ever saw her again Yori promised herself that she would get answers. Oh yes she certainly would.

Back to the matter at hand.

With trepidation she slid the paper door to Ron's room aside and entered, pulling it shut behind her. Turning to face the room she saw him laying on his bedroll, sleeping soundly. As she approached him she could see the edges of the bandage that covered the cut she herself had put on the back of his neck. It had only needed three stitches and she'd done them herself as a small atonement for her actions. True she knew now her actions had been necessary, but still it upset her.

Kneeling beside the sleeping teen she saw something moving under the covers and then Rufus sprang into sight ready to defend his sleeping friend, complete with Karate pose and snarl. When he saw it was Yori and not some would be attacker he relaxed.

"Hello Rufus-sama." Yori bowed.

In his time at Yamanouchi Rufus had shown great prowess in not only the school's lessons, but in the ways of the Mystical Monkey Powers. In fact had he been human he could very well have taken up the mantle of the Chosen One himself. Something that had earned him not only Master Sensei's but the entire schools respect.

"Ron owwy." Rufus squeaked sadly, looking at the sleeping figure.

"Do not worry Rufus-sama. It is a trifle. I do not think it will even leave a scar." she assured the tiny rodent.

Wiping his brow, Rufus fell back onto the blanket. "Whew!"

The beautiful ninja could not help but smile at the little one's antics. He truly cared for Ron, just as she did. Looking at the sleeping blond's face she admitted to herself again that she more than cared. Today had shown her that. She had grown to love him if that were even possible given the little time they had known each other. Daring to reach out she brushed a few strands of hair from his forehead. It was soft, like his soul. There wasn't a sharp edge to Ron Stoppable she thought. Nothing bad or mean about him. Just a goofy and caring person who saw the good in everything he could. Maybe it was for the best that he would not walk the path of the Chosen One. Better her remain as he was now. Just Ron and nothing more.

"If only you could be my Ron." she whispered.

Rufus caught her words, but decided to pretend he didn't. Sometimes humans could be so complicated.

"Five more minutes mom." Ron mumbled in his sleep.

Yori could not hold back the giggle that escaped her lips. Ron blinked a few times then looked at the ceiling.

"I'm in my room huh?" he asked.

She sat up a bit straighter. "Yes Stoppable-san."

His eyes slowly rolled to look her way. "...and I'm not dead?"

Those words were like a slap, but she forced a smile for his sake. "Not at all."

"So...you're not here to like...finish the job or anything I hope."

"Absolutely not!" Yori was mortified.

Ron broke into a goofy smile. "Awesome. Cause it would so be my honor to not die."

Normally Yori would find his humor infectious, but not right now. She needed to get something off her chest.

"Stopple-san please forgive me. I said things and I wounded you and I-"

"What this little thing?" Ron thumbed towards the back of his neck as he sat up on the bedroll, crossing his legs. "Not to worry. I've had worse." Leaning towards her so they were almost nose to nose he asked, "Ever seen what an exploding golf ball can do at close range?"

"I...can not say I have...no." Yori found his closeness very distracting.

"Well it's sooo not pretty. I was picking little bits of golf ball out of places I do not even want to talk about." leaning back as he shook his head. "No thank you."

This time she did giggle. "You are so funny Stoppable-san."

"Meh, I do what I can." he said, though with a touch of pride. "So wanna tell me what all that was about before? With the whole enemy is before you thing."

"Oh that." she put on her best poker face, "That was Master wanting to impart one final lesson to you before you go. That while you may have chosen a different path than we have offered, you must still strive to be the best you that you can. To turn away from one destiny is to embrace another. You have chosen to be Ron Stoppable, not the Chosen One. So you should never falter in that. No matter who or what stands in your way. Even if it is a friend. Always be the best Ron Stoppable there is."

"Aw that will be easy." he said with a smirk. "Cause I'm the only Ron Stoppable."

You certainly are, Yori thought wistfully. I just wish you could see yourself how I see you.

The two chatted for a little while, just making small talk. In time Yori passed on Master Senei's message about calling his friend Wade, which Ron did. It was a strange call as far as Ron was concerned. He explained that he was fine and there was nothing to worry about, but the tech guru still seemed on edge about something. With a final affirmation that yes he was really ok, it was time for Ron to pack up and make his way to the airport. Everyone at Yamanouchi amassed at the main gate to bid him farewell. Many of them bowing low in respect. Ron bowed back, nearly falling on his face when his backpack threatened to slide right over his head. Yori desperately wanted to embrace him, but her pride only allowed her to bid him goodbye and to wish him well on his journey. Master Sensei reminded him that the school was always here and would always welcome his return. Ron expressed how thankful he was for everything they'd done for him and promised to never forget his time in the mountains of Japan. Turning away he followed his guide down the twisting mountain path and away from the secret ninja school and the mystical Lotus Blade.

So ended Ron Stoppable's stay at Yamanouchi and his destiny as the Chosen one, for better or worse.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

So yeah I've never seen even one episode of Kim Possible. The only things I know about the show are from the great stories I've read on here and the research I've done myself on the matter. Aside from a few video clips to learn body language and grammar about the characters that's it. I've been in a slump for a while with my writing and I thought I'd give this little story idea a shot. Challenge myself as it were to get back into the writing mood. I hope I haven't screwed this up. I seriously do not want and entire fandom to hunt me down!