A.N.

Ah yes, at last, the final chapter. It's been so long ago since I started this fanfic, yet it feels like yesterday!

I do hope you enjoyed reading it so far, considering how my writing techniques changed over time.

Anyway, putting the past behind us let's…

Enjoy!

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Chapter32- Towards A Brighter Destiny

Noises of fire and metal almost deafened Ron as he held on tightly to the exposed content of the building. Gripping determinedly on his other arm was Bonnie, alarmingly looking down at her freely swinging legs.

"Don't let go of me…" she whimpered with her eyes closed, "Please…don't!"

Ron recalled the moment during his freefall. His cry helped him notice that he suddenly got his voice back. His own voice, not the one Bonnie used to tamper with Kim's feelings.

It allowed him time to think fast, as Kim suggested, and find a way to survive this.

It was frightening of course, but his determination allowed him to notice a long electric cable that soared in his direction from an explosion. He grabbed it and swung through the air, allowing him time to spot another platform to jump on, unfortunately it was sloped.

The drop was long and terrifying, but how he managed to remember his grappling hook was a real mystery, It didn't take long before he heard a shriek coming from above. It was not the usual shroek the gunships made when they cam crashing from above, it was far more terrifying than that, it tingled his spine, so he had to discover its source.

That was when he saw her coming down. The hook was gripped on to an edge that wasn't strong enough for the two of them, it cracked and the entire wall came tumbling down…Then they found themselves in this state.

"Hold on!" came a struggling voice from around the rubble, "I'm coming to you!"

"Take your time!" Ron cried back earning a shocked look from Bonnie, "We're not going anywhere!"

Kyle kicked himself against the wall, and swung over to where they hung, then found some decent footing against the rubble they were holding on to. He then placed the grip for his grappling hook on to his belt.

"Here," he said, offering Ron his hand, "Hold on to me."

Ron carefully lifted his arm and Kyle pulled him up, with Bonnie desperately holding on to Ron's sides.

"Boy am I glad to see you!" laughed Ron.

"Is she alright?" Kyle looked down at Bonnie, he couldn't reach her from his angle, but he could make out her face. And she didn't look very pleased with his question.

Ron didn't answer, he just snorted and tried to change the subject, "Let's go!"

"Hold on!" Kyle kicked against the rubble and the trio swung back across from where Kyle came and finally Bonnie could breathe once she saw a platform below them.

"Where's Kim?" asked Kyle.

Ron stepped down as Kyle unhooked his grapple and followed, "She needs our help."

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The deafening noise of war and battle roared untiringly.

Drakken paced across the roof of the fortress. He could swear the sky is falling. His entire world is burning to ashes. He had everything. His enemy was on his scopes yesterday. But today everything flipped. Now he was on GJ's scopes and they pulled the trigger. It was impossible, until a girl got involved. He could only blame her for all this. The moment she came into his palace everything went downhill.

He stood at the edge of the roof and his eyes scanned the battle from the ground up. He watched the fierce war ripping the sky apart. He noticed the hard ground being savaged like an earthquake is rumbling. Oh yes, it's just as he always dreamed his fall would be.

But one thing is missing in this equation; Kim Possible.

He turned and faced his old friend and father of the girl, James Possible. Tied up and on his knees, surrounded by two of Drakken's personal guards.

"Beautiful day isn't it?" the wind blew his hair wildly, not even a savage explosion took his attention away, "Perfect to settle a score, I'd say."

James' eyes narrowed with rage. His concern for his daughter and the bitterness of the betrayal of Drew both created a raging storm in his heart, "This is the end for you, Drakken."

"On the contrary," Drakken stepped closer and lowered his head to James' level, "You and your daughter are going to taste defeat, while I fall happily knowing I accomplished the last objective on my list."

He turned back to the edge and watched a falling gunship twist and turn, unsuccessfully avoiding hostile fire, ultimately burning as it rocketed to the ground.

"Did you really suppose I would rule the world? Did you actually think I believed my empire would last a thousand years?" Drakken looked back at James, "Of course I didn't…I knew it would come to this. But you know something?" his face closed in on James', "At least I achieved reaching this far...at least I proved myself to you all, just as I promised I would before!"

"You're a mad man!" spat James.

"See what I mean!" snapped Drakken as he stormed across the roof, "this is exactly what drove me to doing all this! Everyone called me mad, everyone immediately assumed I was incapable of accomplishing anything! But I proved you all wrong! I built war machines, took over and destroyed the world's greatest capitals and…"

"you still can't take a hint!" a familiar feminine voice spoke from above.

"Kimmie!" James' face brightened.

"Kim Possible!" Drakken's sinister voice uttered with loathing.

She stood on top of a water-boiler, her heart sank when she saw her father's state, "Dad, don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

Drakken's teeth gritted, an instant rage fumed in his heart, the sound of her confidence being the factor of this sudden burst of emotion, "Oh no, Possible! If anyone is controlling this situation it is I, Drakken , the real man who can do anything!"

"Oh please, I'm sure we all know what comes next."

"Do we really, Kim?" Drakken walked closer to James, "I'm not concerned about defeat…I know I'm lost. This time though Kim, I'm taking you and your father down with me."

He pulled out a pistol and directed it to James' head.

"No!"

Kim snapped ready to leap on to Drakken but he interrupted, "Don't move, Kim! I want you to watch this very carefully, remember this moment…you see, I have nothing to lose now, nothing. So, I figured this time, there is no shame in dropping all morals and dignity…they won't save me."

Kim's body froze in place. She wanted to do something, but her options are so limited.

"You can't do anything, Kim! If you really think you can then let's see it! Come on!"

Kim's seen this before. It was just moments ago with Bonnie. Except, instead the threat is Drakken, and the victim is her father. Her emotions can't take anymore, the overwhelming sight of her father so close to death like that made her heart leap. She almost cost him his life by jumping like that…What hope is there now?

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"They're giving up now, sir!" A happy shout came from Purt, relieved to see Drakken's guards finally clearing a path for them into the palace gates.

Kyle had positioned his squad accordingly. With all his battle experiences he was resourceful enough to beat an entire battalion of his enemies using only a squad of ten. Something only an experienced commander like him self can master.

"Come on then," Kyle ordered as he rose from his point, "We have very little time, let's move it!"

Knowing that on the other side of this place a much fiercer battle is being fought, he realizes that each minute they're wasting they're spending lives…from both sides.

The squad leapt into a sprint towards the gates, with Bonnie just behind, watched carefully by Ron. Quickly taking out its mechanical sentry and exploding their way into the wide corridors the squad found a clear run to the elevator just ahead of them.

Bonnie proved to be useful for them to gain access to the highest level, since she carried the required identification. The entire squad began a very nervous lift inside the spacious compartment.

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An awe-inspiring explosion lifted high into the clouds. It came so close to where the group stood that the sky all around them now transformed to fire. Had the situation been different they would've all ran to safety, but none of them twitched.

Drakken's menacing laugh tingled down Kim's spine, "It is such a quiet thing to fall they say, but in this case I'm not quite sure!"

It was getting very warm now, the battle is coming to an end, Kim could feel it and Drakken's not going to wait forever. Kim must act now to save the life of her dad...She came so close she's not willing to lose it all now.

Kim took steps back down the slope, further and further till her father was no longer in sight.

"Where are you going?" Drakken yelled, he gripped James' by his collar and dragged him with the gun firmly at his head, "I want you to watch this! I want you to taste the bitterness that I felt!"

Kim ignored his demands. She just kept walking backwards, breathing heavily, trying to put aside all fears.

James' struggled against Drakken's shoving, almost tripping the man, Kim heard his grunts and leapt into a desperate sprint, flipping over the water-boiler and landing a kick into Drakken's exposed stomach.

With a breathless groan, Drakken landed on his back, his gun slipping out of his hand. Without taking a moment to recover, Drakken crawled desperately to his pistol, but Kim somersaulted and landed on the old man's back. He reacted with a backhanded chop against her shin, dropping her face-flat on the ground. The guards ran over to restrain her, but Kim performed an elegant twist, meeting their faces with her spinning feet. One of the dizzy guards accidently fell over the edge of the roof, unnervingly expecting a tragic end at the bottom.

The other met swift kicks from Kim to the stomach, head and then chest, finally she finished the combo with a rapid chop to the back of the neck, instantly paralyzing him. Her eyes then gazed towards Drakken, pointing the pistol in her direction. Grateful for either his bad aim, or her hasty side-wards retreat, Kim put all force she could into her legs, covering the little distance she has to the wall, running and then pushing heavily against it she found herself soaring through the air avoiding random shots from the frustrated pistol bearing scientist. Landing elegantly at the edge of the roof, she was still looking down his gun barrel, but when he pulled the trigger there were no shots left. Grinning wickedly, Kim threw a kick to his hand, sending the fire-arm out of his grip and after throwing a second Kick it fell off the edge. Drakken then savagely grabbed Kim, crying at the top of his lungs he began to push her to the edge, Kim reacted by pushing back, but her light weight proved her efforts to be ineffective.

The two got closer to the edge, Kim pushed desperately but lost balance, Drakken heaved harder, an immoral smile on his face, the eyes of madness widening as he could now see the bottom and the two of them now loomed over it. He grabbed her shirt, shook her violently as she grunted and screamed, frantically trying not to slip, he tried lifting her, but her feet were firmly stuck to the ground. He tried pushing, but she quickly grabbed his arm.

Suddenly, a transport ship appeared from below, it hovered over the fighting duo. Realizing this, the two ran in separate directions. But the transport focused on one target. Its guns activated and fired at the running Kim. She dived behind some debris and took a breath. Grateful the super-hot beams did not hit her.

Drakken stopped running and watched the transport carefully, "Who's that?" he whispered to himself.

He focused at the cockpit and made out a familiar character, he then whispered, "Shego? I thought I fired you…"

James crawled to safety, hiding under a damaged structure.

The guns then fired again, and once more Kim found herself running and dodging. She focused in the direction of Drakken, hoping the pilot would accidently hit him instead. But the pilot was sharp, instead the ship hovered over Drakken before Kim could get there and she instantly changed direction. Had it not been for her swiftness, she wouldn't have been able to zig zag towards Drakken and land a timely boot into his face. Standing over the unfortunate old man the hatch opened above her and she felt a sudden gash across her back.

"Agh!" Kim cried falling to the ground and flipping back on to her feet spotting her attacker, "I've been wondering where you've been, Shego!"

"I have to admit, the logic of the old man is solid." She smiled, "Why should we go down without you suffering first? It's the only thing left on our 'to do' list!"

Kim raised her hands in combat mode, expecting yet another duel with Shego; perhaps her last.

Shego pounced onto Kim like a starving leapord, her hands transformed into green glowing claws, able to rip through flesh and bone leaving only a smoking limb in its place. Kim though, has grown used to this threat, able to block Shego from her wrists while avoiding the green fire. Drakken always enjoyed watching the two of them fight. Their duels would always be the focus of attention in any location. It was inspiring to see, as though the entire world's fate is being determined right here, right now. Like the twins of night and day, each carrying the world's weight on their shoulders exchanging all they've got to destroy the other. It was an epic thing to watch. It was balanced.

The transport could not intervene. The pilot was trying to lock on to Kim without destroying his commander in the process. But Drakken couldn't care less, he wanted Kim to suffer, he wanted her to burn and die for all she has done to him.

"Fire!" yelled Drakken, "I'm ordering you to fire now!"

The pilot could hear him, but he hesitated.

Drakken waved his arms, calling out at the top of his lungs, "Kill them both you fool!"

Kim and Shego heard this and saw a missile appear from the bottom of the ship's wing, locking on to them. They saw Drakken, waving his arms wildly, "Kill them now! Fire!"

Kim alarmingly reacted to the danger. While Shego's attention fell on Drakken and was stunned to hear the cold order he was giving out. Her heart sank, like a knife had jabbed her in the chest, Kim on the other hand moved away from the threat.

The guns roared to life engulfing Shego in a dreadful explosion, ripping her and her surroundings apart. Kim landed on her stomach, covering her head, avoiding the falling debris.

When everything cleared, Drakken stopped wincing and glanced back, hoping to see the corpse of his arch rival, but that was not the case. Kim stood up and Shego was no where in sight.

"N..no." Drakken gasped, he ran over to where Shego was standing the last time he saw her, but there was only a crater and smoke. He turned towards the pilot who stared in shock.

"What have you done…" he whispered coldly, and then cried in rage, "What have you done!"

The transport suddenly exploded into a fireball, as a rocket struck from behind them. The two turned their shocked gazes to a squad of rebels behind them, securing her father.

"Boo-yah!" Ron cheered.

"Ron?" Kim turned around and spotted him with delight standing victoriously with a roughed up crowd of rebels, "Ron you're alive!"

She dashed over and squeezed him tightly, "I thought I lost you…I thought you fell and I'd never see you again!"

"You gave me a shot, Kim!" he smiled as he let go, "It was all I needed! But, I'm sorry for all I made you go through…I'm sorry I…"

"Sssh" silenced Kim as she placed her finger on his mouth, "It wasn't your fault. I knew all along you're a good person Ron!"

Ron smiled as Kim stroked his hair, "Now, I'll be with you in a moment, there's something I have to do."

Kim walked over to Drakken with a sly smile.

"Wait…" he desperately pleaded, taking steps away from her, knowing full well he's limited to where he can run, "I beg of you Kim…I…I'll do anything you want…please…"

"Is that who I think it is?" quizzed Purt as he nudged Faris.

Kyle smiled wickedly, placing his hands on Faris and Purt's shoulders, "I think so boys!"

Kim paced closer to Drakken, remembering all she went through, remembering the sacrifices she made, remembering the friends that were hurt, the suffering of the families, her burning hometown. Oh, there is so much this man has to pay for…and killing him is just too little a price. He must suffer alright.

Drakken reached the edge and fell to his knees, tears forming up, he shook like a leaf, "Please don't…I'm so sorry, don't hurt me please…Oh queen of queens, oh crown of all jewels, I'll do anything…anything!"

Kim laughed.

Suddenly, Kyle's smile began to fade. Faris and Purt's concern became evident, and Ron, who suddenly realized what Kim was thinking ran over to her.

"Kim, what are you doing?"

"Oh, what I should've done a long time ago." She spoke in disgust.

"You think this is funny?" Drakken caught everyone by surprise when his pleading transformed to yelling and cursing, "You think you've won? Oh you didn't win! This is a defeat you hear me!"

"Kim," Ron placed a hand on her shoulder, "listen to me, you can't do this!"

"Huh?" Kim turned to him, seeing the worry on his face, "Ron, if anyone should die today it's him!"

"No , Kim…look what' become of us. We've turned cold. Haven't you noticed that?"

Kim held her hand up to her face and saw the scratches, the marks of dirt…the blood.

"Didn't you notice the patterns Kim?" Ron stepped in front of her, "This all started with killing, and it's going to keep going that way until we realize it when it's too late."

Kim remembered back, to the mission that lead to all this. Inside that strategy room…she saw Ron, cornering all of Drakken's computer operators, ripping them down with the laser sword. She then remembered after that, when they found themselves surrounded by machine guns in the command center, Ron took a bullet to the leg and they needed to go to the hospital. Their mother's were so afraid when they found them drenched in blood.

Kim then remembered how quickly the war began, like a monster that fed on the killing of people. They sparked it. They killed the first soldier.

"Killing Drakken will only make him another dead soldier…" Kim muttered to herself, "You're right, Ron. We have to stop feeding this war."

She looked up at Ron, seeing the anxiety there.

"I already stopped, Kim." He turned and allowed Kim to view the beaten brunette on her knees, weeping her horrors away. Kim gasped and looked back at Ron.

"She may have used me, she may have hurt you, but we do not judge who's life should end or not, Kim."

Kim could feel a fresh anger. A need to lift Bonnie and throw her off the edge once again, it's like an instinct telling her to fulfill that passion. But, just as Ron had said, what would it fulfill? More pain? More suffering?

"When I was controlled Kim, I saw myself hurting you. Beating you, betraying you and even…hating you. I saw a world full of anger and remorse. I couldn't imagine seeing such people ruling the world. They can't. It just won't work. Then, when I fell I finally saw what being the victim is like, I saw everything flashing before me. The way we were before, we never hurt anyone. Everything was so bright, so peaceful. We lived peacefully!"

Ron's eyes teared up, Kim listened intently. She could see now what he was trying to say. For so long, Kim found herself using violence as a means to bring peace and order. So much so, she got used to it. She had forgotten why she resorted to violence in the first place.

"Well," Kim started to say, "Maybe not so peacefully…but it was better than this."

Ron ignored that remark, he was so relieved on the inside that Kim has for once listened to something he had to say, "I actually should thank Bonnie for opening my eyes to this. Who knows where we would be if we kept going this way. So please, Kim, let's not keep doing this. Let's go back to the way we used to be, let's start saving lives…not ending them."

Kim choked back tears; all that emotion she held in for so long began to come out. She nodded slowly and took in Ron's hug.

Kyle, pleased and satisfied with that nodded to Faris and Purt, they rushed over to Drakken and dragged him over to Bonnie.

Ron and Kim exchanged glances, their eyes sinking into each others, Kyle walked over to them and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Well done, captain Possible, I'm convinced our world will be seeing peace and justice once again."

"Thank you Commander," Kim laughed, "I couldn't have done it without you!"

She walked over to the bitter Drakken, now tied up and on his knees facing a pair of gun barrels.

"You know something, Drakken, you're right." Kim spoke, but Drakken showed no reaction, "I can't do anything. I'm just an average girl, with an annoying habit of getting involved and trying to fix things that don't concern me." She stepped back and looked at the now clearing up sky, "But you helped me realize something. If I don't keep up that habit our world might just never see a brighter day again!"

Kim ignored his sniveling and walked over to another prisoner on her knees. Bonnie was sniffling, broken and defeated, "I don't think sorry is going to be enough to let you feel how much pity I have for you now, Bonnie." Kim said, lowering herself down to her, "No matter what you've done, I know you didn't deserve what I did to you, but I did it and I don't think anything I say or do will make up for that."

Bonnie gave Kim a grim stare and then spat in her face "I don't need your pity!"

Kim flinched and stood up, wiping the spit from her face. She shook her head and sighed, but Kim blamed herself more than Bonnie for this. Whatever future is left for her, it's not going to get any brighter soon. Kim turned to see Ron, standing at the edge of the roof, staring at the rising sun, looming over the burning city on the horizon.

"Isn't it funny, Kim?" he said as she came closer to him.

"What?" she asked while leaning into his arm.

"The sun," he answered, "It looks like it's rising from a pool of blood!"

"Ron!" Kim nudged giving him a teasing glare.

"No, I'm serious!" he laughed pointing at it.

Kim watched and noticed the truth behind Ron's words. The fire and smoke created a reddish aura in the sunlight, and as it lifted into the sky the light cleared up, transforming into a spectacular white illumination that made any on-looker wince. But she understood the ironic meaning behind it all and joined in the laughter.

James Possible walked behind the two and placed his hand on their shoulders, Kim glanced back at him, and held her gaze at his warm smile, then instinctively leapt into his arms, holding him tightly, "I thought I lost you forever, dad!"

"Me too, Kimmie," he whispered, "Me too!"

Ron watched father and daughter reunited and couldn't help but get emotional. A while ago, he was thinking about all the suffering he and the family had lived through, now though, a rewarding feeling replaced those thoughts and it convinced him that it was worth it in the end. But as the trio made their way on to a GJ transport and left the fortress they all knew there's still a lot of work ahead of them to replace the physical damage.

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Kim wondered through the refugee camp and noticed how much it had changed since she left. When it was once a simple group of tents and crates, it is now crowded with people, civilians and military, jammed with vehicles of all kinds and piled with equipment looted from the battle that ensued.

But more than anything, Kim realized the greatest change was the feelings being exchanged between everyone. While before the emotions were always melancholy and angry, now it was time for celebration.

The whole world is celebrating tonight. You could feel it in the air. As Kim walked through she saw soldiers mixing with families, drinking juices together, laughing and dancing. It made it difficult for her to stick with her father and Ron as they maneuvered through the crowd trying to find her mother.

Then a familiar voice came from behind, "Kim!" it was Jim's, "Kim!" and Tim's.

"Over here!" They said, Kim nudged Ron's collar and directed him to look at a crowd of people, military and civilian, standing in a circle around a group of crates piled onto each other, apparently shaped like a podium. Kim's dad rushed over and hugged them, smiling she walked over with Ron, who then gave them a high five and a friendly hug.

Kim got her turn and pecked their cheeks, "Where's mom?"

"Over there!" they replied, pointing behind their dad and wiping their cheeks.

James turned around and found himself overwhelmed with a passionate hug from his joyful wife. She squeezed him tightly he could've sworn he felt his head turn blue. The crowd's attention fell on to the couple's sentimental reunion, evoking everyone to erupt into a methodical, "awww" that embarrassed the group. Then the crowd slowly gave off a round of applause, this time the family all flushed at once. They grouped together and waved a thank you to the people around them, until a bearded man stood on top of the crates.

"Thank you, my friends!" he cried out to the crowd, raising an army and getting their attention, "Thank you for your loyalty, your sacrifice and your bravery!"

The crowd cheered, all raising their arms, cheering and clapping, he continued this time with a louder voice clutching his fists together as he cried out the last word, "Today we beat the tyranny of Drakken's Empire!"

The crowd erupted into a louder roar, this time some music played and laughter was heard as several decided to perform a happy dance.

The man looked down at Kim, when he spotted her just below him, "And we want to give a special thanks to the one responsible for inspiring me, giving us hope and leading the front of the charge," he extended his arm and gestured for her to stand with him, and although she refused, everyone around her pushed her forward, but she nabbed Ron's hand and pulled him up with her, "Kim Possible everyone!"

A thunderous cheer overwhelmed Kim and Ron. While she tried to hold back tears of joy, he found himself almost slipping off the crate, had Kim not grabbed him by the collar he would've definitely found himself in an embarrassing and painful situation.

"Who's he?" James whispered into his wife's ear while pointing at the bearded man.

"Kyle," she answered, "He's the man responsible for letting Kim rescue you."

She turned to face her husband, "James, I want to talk to you about something."

James let out a sigh, "Does it have anything to do with the fact that we shouldn't have grounded our daughter? And tampered with the balance between good and evil?"

His wife cracked a smile and raised her head to look him in the eyes, "Yes, that."

"I've had a long time to think over it all behind bars." He said and looked around at the people facing the podium, praising their heroes, "She is all that isn't she."

"Well," Mrs. Possible began to speak, "there was another thing I wanted to point out that you might've missed, James."

"Yeah?" he turned to look at her, and she directed his attention to the boy beside Kim, "She really couldn't have done it without him. Separating those two was perhaps far worse than grounding them, as I watched them work together, I could really admit now..."

She trailed off as she began to hold back tears, but James finished the sentence for her, "That they're destined to be together?"

She nodded and turned to face the podium where Kim and Ron held hands and waved with their free arms. Ron then grabbed Kim and lifted her on one shoulder as she began to laugh, although she didn't know it, Ron seemed to have trouble lifting her and the crowd laughed along with them.

"Yeah," James at last nodded, "I think so too."

Ron finally lost his balance, and as Kim shrieked, the two fell over the back of the podium and landed in a loud crash. A moment passed and neither of them stood back up.

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Ron and Kim, lying on the ground trying to catch their breaths, stared into each others eyes once more. This time, they saw something different. This time there was more than just a friendship. They saw something far more valuable and far more important. Deep within each other's eyes, they knew that what they were looking at now was destiny.

They knew the whole world was waiting for them out there, expecting them to stand up at any moment and declare that they were alright. But there's a whole new revelation down here. A new discovery about each other's feelings is unfolding. And, after everything they've been through, it would be such a shame to let it pass again.

Kim finally caught her breath, "Are you okay?"

Ron's face flushed, he knew he was the one who had dropped them both, he should be asking her if she was alright instead, "Uh, sure-you?"

She smiled and spoke, "Never better!"

"So, I guess we did it, huh?" Ron sat up and extended his arm to help her.

"Yeah, I guess." She accepted his offer and sat up, trying to catch her breath, "you having fun?"

"Oh, absolutely!" he laughed and then bit his lip before he spoke the next sentence, "Why not when I have you around to share it with me?"

She smiled and crushed him with a tight embrace, "Oh Ron, that's so sweet of you to say!"

"I mean it, Kim." She let go and sat on her knees, impressed by how much he has grown in those last few months, "I hope we never have to separate again."

"Well, I mean it too Ron when I say I would never want to be closer to anyone else," she smiled and pulled out something from her pocket.

Ron's eyes widened with enchantment, he couldn't believe what he was looking at, "Rufus!"

It didn't take long for him to snatch the little ball of flesh and squeeze it against his cheek, "Old buddy! Where have you been all this time? I thought I lost you for good!"

Kim watched Rufus' small and happy little head drown into Ron's cheek, inside her a little girl squealed with glee, but she dare not show more than a pleasant smile, "He came on his own to my rescue, without him you and I wouldn't be here now!"

"They're alright!" A loud shout came from above that caught their attention. Kyle had glanced down at them. They barely noticed how long they'd been here. It must be due to how much time they had spent away from each other they're enjoying catching up on it all so much they didn't realize the time that passed. Or perhaps there was something more to it than that?

"Come on you two!" snapped Kyle, gesturing for them to join him on the stage, "Show a smile or something, you're embarrassing me up here!"

Kim and Ron finally joined the party, and the next morning both families went back to Middleton to see what damages were done to their neighborhood.

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Almost a year later a new life began. One similar to the way it was before, all the fears that once existed were gone. There was far less crime, and a lot more smiles. There was plenty of sunshine, and very few clouds. There were a lot of friends, and no one was left lonely.

This new life was beautiful. It was as though there was no war before all this. And although the world will never forget the destructive onslaught of Dr. Drakken, they made sure they always remembered the victory that followed it.

For Kim Possible though, there was one fear that remained with her from the time that awful conflict began, and that was the fear of leaving Ron as he went to university.

As she stood at the window of her attic room, she remembered how a week ago he explained to her he'd be leaving early. Due to the excellent grades he got, he earned a very tempting scholarship to an international university in Europe. It was an opportunity he cannot miss, and Kim encouraged him to go for it. The one thing she did not elaborate on during that conversation was how much she didn't want him to go, because she's really going to miss him. She watched as a car pulled over their driveway and a driver greeted her and Ron's fathers.

"Ready to say goodbye?" came her mother's voice from behind. Kim just shook her head, her mouth tried to say yes, but it didn't come out.

Her mother placed a warm hand on her shoulder, "You know he has to, Kim."

Without saying a word, Kim turned rapidly and drowned her cheeks into her mother's housecoat, "I don't want him to go!"

"Come on now Kim!" Her mother smiled, Kim didn't understand what she found so amusing about all this. Perhaps it's her way of trying to soothe her? She didn't know.

A few minutes ago, the two families were sitting having a farewell dinner party for Ron, and things were alright, she was handling it. No big.

But as time went by she began to realize the anxiety of it all. She didn't want to see him leave!

Mrs. Possible took her daughter slowly down the steps, Kim still held in her arms. As they reached to the kitchen, Kim managed to let go and was wiping tears off her cheeks. There the parents of both teens were waiting for Ron's departure. Kim and Ron stood in front of each other, she didn't say anything.

"Well Kim," he said with an anxious tone, "I guess this is goodbye!"

"Yeah," she sniffled, "I guess it is."

"But before I leave," Ron glanced at the crowd gathering around them, "There's something I want to tell…show…tell you!"

Kim gave him an awkward look as she also noticed an audience around them. He placed his hand in his pocket and pulled out a little box. Kim's eyes widened and her heart leapt to her throat.

She was about to speak, but choked as Ron landed on one knee and opened it to reveal Rufus holding up a diamond ring to her.

"Oh my God!" Kim's hands rushed to her mouth.

"Yes Kim," he rubbed the back of his neck, "I know its a little cliché but, I think it's appropriate!"

Kim was just speechless, around everyone Ron was proposing to her? This didn't make any sense…unless, "Did you all plan this?"

"We thought you needed something to look forward to before Ron comes back," her father spoke rubbing his own neck as he laughed.

"Well Kim?" Ron shoved the ring closer to her face, "Do you accept?"

Before a second could pass she leapt in to his arms and held him tightly, "Of course I do! I've been waiting all my life for this moment, Ron!"

"Boo-yah!" He cheered as the entire family clapped and laughed.

Before long both families found themselves at the front door waving goodbye to Ron as he departed in the car to the airport. Kim watched as the car disappeared down the road. She thought she would be dreading the long wait she had to make till he had to come back, but now that she's officially his fiancée she's looking forward to the wait, and more so she's looking forward to the day she will see him again.

For at last the world is safe again, and a new life is starting for Kim and Ron as an official couple, but they will not be able to enjoy their new relationship fully together while he's away of course. But Kim didn't mind that, as long as he gets the education he needs. They've been friends since childhood, now they're mates for life. It is a pledge both heroes will live up to, the same way they did as friends.

Kim and Ron were grounded and separated by their parents in fear of their lives, but destiny bonded the two for a lifetime, to benefit the future and safety of the world.

THE END

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A.N.

Hence, my first and longest fanfic is finally complete.

Although Counterstrike came first, it was never really a fanfic.

This is perhaps my most beloved. It's like a little piece of me that grew throughout the most important two years of my life.

Writing this came around the time I left high school and entered university. It's not really a depiction of anything I'm experiencing or experienced in real life, it was though a very important stepping stone for me to practice my writing, to see my potential, to understand how emotions flow into a story and how I can manipulate the reader through expressing those emotions within the characters.

I'm sure many of you would agree as you progress through this story that my techniques have improved over time. I sometimes feel embarrassed when I go over some of the older chapters again!

Now, I would like to express my greatest gratitude to my loyal reviewer who stayed with this story almost from the very beginning and never faltered no matter how long it took me to update. Serious props go to acousta!

Also thanks go out to all the readers of this fanfic, and there are a lot of them! I hope you've benefitted from reading my little epic and I wish you all fruitful and blissful days as you journey through life to find your own destinies!