Disclaimer: Song used in this chapter is called “Only Hope” by Switchfoot/covered by Mandy Moore. (Thanks for the correction Pichk)

Warning: This chapter contains violence and sexual content.

Chapter 7: Forever

“When a building gets torched, all that's left is ashes. I used to think that was true about everything, families, friends, feelings. But now I know that sometimes… if love proves real, two people who are meant to be together nothing can keep them apart.” - Sarah from “The Crow”

---

Ron closed his eyes as he stood in the burning room; his crow flew down and landed on his shoulder. “Who are you?” Kim Possible asked, taking a fighting stance. “What have you done?” Kim asked, slowly, carefully approaching the Avatar's backside, her green eyes never leaving him.

“I just made them pay. Took vengeance for what they did,” he said, slowly turning to face the woman he loved in life. “…for what they did to us, KP.”

Kim stared in shock. “R-Ron?” she asked, taking a timid step toward him, her hand covering her gaping mouth as she stared. “Ron, is that really you? But… But you died… you died in my arms…”

“Forget you saw me here, Kim,” Ron said, turning his back to her and moving toward the window.

“I don’t understand… Ron, how are you here? You’re dead… you… you saved me when I tried to… that wasn’t a dream, was it?” Kim asked, causing him to stop in his tracks. “You saved me… like you always save me.”

“Not here, Kim, this place is coming down,” Ron finally said, looking around the burning building.

“Come to my place, please…” Kim begged, grabbing his arm. “I want to understand… and… I have to tell you…”

“Get home; I’ll be there soon, I promise,” he said, taking her hand and bringing them to his ice-cold lips to kiss them. “I won’t go anywhere without coming back to you at least one last time, and then, I’ll explain everything, I promise. Now, get out of here before you get killed. Your ride should be getting here soon.” And with that, he jumped from the window.

“Ron!” Kim called out after him, running to the window. She looked down but saw nothing but the beach. “Ron…”

---

The ride back home seemed longer than any other Kim had ever taken. She arrived home and frowned at the quietness. “Must already be asleep…” Kim said as she slid out of her boots to better sneak up to her loft. For some reason, she felt the urge to peek in on her family, silently whispering ‘I love you’ to not only her sleeping parents but her twin brothers.

She finally made it up to the loft, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw Ron looking out her loft window, in the same dark trenchcoat he had on before. “Ron?”

“Hey, KP…” He said, turning to her, the familiar features slightly hidden behind the white and black makeup.

“How?” She breathed out as tears formed in the corner of her eyes.

Ron glanced to the black bird perched on her computer desk. “I had to come back. I had to make things right. I … I had to help you.”

“You came back…” She breathed, staring into his chocolate brown eyes. “You came back!” She exclaimed, rushing to him, wrapping her arms around him, and crying into his chest.

“You’re so cold…” Kim whispered.

“Not anymore,” He whispered into her hair, holding her tightly.

“KP… Kim, listen…” he said, pushing her back gently. “This… this is it. I’m going to finish it tonight. Drakken and Shego are all that’s left. Once it’s finished… I have to go back.”

“No!” Kim latched onto him again.

“It’s how it works, KP,” Ron said sadly, “Once they’re finished, my work is done. There’s no other way.”

“If you can only stay as long as they live, let them go!” Kim sobbed, “Let them live, and let’s be together. Forget about them, and just … just be!”

“I wish I could; you don’t know how badly I do…” Ron glanced to the crow, who was watching them closely. “But… I have to do it. I can’t explain it any better than that. There’s something inside me that won’t rest as long as they live.”

“Ron… I don’t want you to go…” Kim whimpered, “I don’t want you to leave me again…”

“You know I’ll never leave you, KP,” Ron smiled, kissing her hair, “I’ll always be with you, always. I’ll always be watching over you. I’ll always be caring for you.”

“I love you,” Kim said with conviction.

“Kim…” Ron breathed, pulling back to look her in her teary eyes.

“I always have,” Kim said, holding eye contact. “I never even imagined how much until I lost you.”

“Everything I do… everything I’ve done… since I came back… before in my life, it’s all been for you,” Ron said, touching her cheek.

“Can… can you forget about them… just for a little while?” Kim asked, rubbing her face against his palm.

Ron blinked and then glanced to the crow. It cawed before flapping away.

Ron glanced back to his best friend, and then closed the distance. Maybe it was his connection with Kim, or maybe it was a gift from the Crow that kept him in this world, but the moment his lips crashed into Kim’s, warmth and life rushed through his body.

Kim moaned into his mouth as she shoved the trenchcoat off his shoulders, leading them to quickly undress each other. Moments later, Kim found herself naked on her bed, her arms wrapped tightly around Ron’s shoulders, and his hips nestled snuggly between her thighs.

“I love you…” Ron whispered into her lips as he entered her.

“Forever,” Kim breathed as they began to make love.

---

Ron slowly rose from Kim’s bed and kicked his legs over the side. “Don’t go,” Kim whispered, grabbing his arm.

“I don’t have a choice, KP,” Ron whispered, looking back at her, pushing some sweat-dampened hair from her face.

“How am I supposed to go on without you?” Kim sniffled, still holding a tight grip on his arm.

“You have to live for the both of us, KP,” Ron smiled, keeping a palm on her cheek. “Now… go back to sleep.” He said softly, and Kim’s grip grew weak and her eyes slowly closed.

“Did you enjoy that little gift, Boy?” a growling voice spoke from the shadows.

“What? Who are you?” Ron turned quickly to see the outline of a thin figure in what appeared to be western attire. “I know you…”

“We met before, Boy,” the skeletal cowboy growled out, turning his glowing eyes on the blond. “I let you come back then, out of the goodness of my heart, let you live for a few hours tonight,” He said, motioning to Kim’s dresser mirror. His eyes widened when he saw his now-accustomed pale skin flushed with color and the mime-like paint on his face gone.

“You’re Death…” Ron whispered.

“Among other names, yes,” the Cowboy replied. “Now, Avatar, you have a job to do, and it will be your toughest challenge. Just remember, no matter how hard this road’s gonna get, you’ll get what’s coming to you in the end, as will she.”

“What?” Ron growled, his eyes flashing. “I won’t let you or anyone else hurt her!”

“Hm, you threatening me is entertaining, but I promise you this… no one will take her life, Boy,” the Cowboy said before fading into the darkness. “Now, go to work.” He said as the window flew open, and the crow swooped in to land on the windowsill.

Ron glanced back to the mirror and saw that the make up had returned. He quickly redressed and put one foot on the open window. He glanced back at Kim’s sleeping form one last time before he leapt from her life for the last time.

---

“The Seniors are dead…” Drakken said nervously as he paced beside Shego out the front of the warehouse on the edge of Middleton. “We need to get out of this, Shego; whatever’s doing this is going to come after us next!”

“Relax, I have a plan,” a voice spoke from the shadows.

“That’s great to know,” Drakken threw his arms up, “This thing can’t die, he’s systematically hunted us all down till we’re all that’s left! ‘I’ve got a plan’ is probably what everyone else thought before it killed them!”

“I’ve done my homework,” their benefactor stated. “He can be killed; you just have to know how.”

“I’ll be preparing; you two wait out here for him.” he said, and the two villains nodded, Drakken a bit more reluctant than Shego, as he entered the warehouse.

“So, we just stand out here,” Drakken blinked when a raindrop splattered on his nose. “In the rain… waiting to be killed painfully…” The two villains groaned as the rain began to fall.

“CAW!” a crow cried before flying up to the rooftop of the warehouse to gaze down at them.

“Go time, Dr. D.” Shego made her hands blaze, looking in the shadows for movement.

“Lovely night, isn’t it?” a figure walked calmly out of the shadows toward the two villains, a broad smile on his painted face.

Drakken squealed and jumped behind Shego. “Please don’t hurt us!”

“You really should have thought about that before you touched her, Drew,” Ron growled coming to a stop before the group.

An awkward silence fell between them before the Avatar spoke again. “Go ahead, Shego, tear my heart out again. I double dog dare you.”

“You’ve come a long way, Stoppable,” Shego took a step forward. “You’ve gone from the Sidekick to the Avenger, the Killer of Killers. Nice outfit, not sure about the face though.”

“Thank you,” Ron smiled before Shego roared and dove at him. Ron caught her wrists in his hands and fell back with her, kicking her hard in the stomach to send her sailing over him. “Missed me,” He smiled rolling back to his feet.

“Let’s see if this gets you!” Shego growled, pushing her burning hand into his chest, ripping out his heart like she did a year earlier. To her shock, the heart immediately turned to ash and flowed back into his chest as the wound healed up instantly.

“That really hurt, Shego,” Ron shook his head.

While the fight went on below, the Crow watched carefully from above. He was completely unaware of the figure approaching behind it till it was trapped in a cage, calling out, flapping and scratching the bars with its talons.

“Well, it’s been fun, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to cut this short,” Ron said, drawing the Lotus Blade.

“That’s right, loser,” Ron blinked in surprise and glanced up to see Josh Mankey walk out of the warehouse holding the crow’s cage at his side.

“Mankey?” Ron stared in confusion.

“Nice to see you again,” Josh said with a smile.

“What are… what did you have to do with this?” Ron narrowed his eyes.

“Let me tell you a little story, Ron,” Josh said as he held the crow’s cage up. “About a year ago, I came across a problem with money. My art wasn’t selling like it should, recession and whatnot… Then, a buddy of mine brought something to my attention: a quick cash business that was very much in demand. Simple little drug that’s easily made and great for stress relief, somewhat dangerous in high doses but not as bad as some. Then came my problem: it’s hard to have a good business such as this with a self-proclaimed teen hero in town. Thought I’d be able to distract her from my business by dating her, but I saw that if anything it made her more of a danger to my income.”

Ron narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on the Lotus Blade. “So, I had to do something to get her under control. I had to break her from this hobby of getting in the way of less than honorable occupations.” Josh sighed as he pulled a handgun from his belt. “So, I took every dime I had gained from the sales I made both of my drug and my paintings and paid off a group of Kim’s enemies to kill her little friend and to break her spirit till she’d never even think of asking ‘what’s the sitch?’ again.”

“Things worked out perfectly till a few nights ago, when you unexpectedly came back,” Josh pointed the gun at Ron, and smirked. “As amazing as that was, it actually isn’t unheard of. A few years ago, Erik Draven and his fiancé were murdered by a gang; one year later, same gang was wiped out by a man matching Draven’s description dressed like a mime from hell, with a crow as a companion. Not unlike you, Ronnie. And there were others, too. And there was even written advice on how to stop undead creatures like you.”

“You want to try to stop me, Mankey?” Ron growled, “You just signed your death warrant, bud.”

“I’ll do more than try, Stoppable,” He said, turning the gun on the crow and fired a shot that pierced the bird through the back. The crow cried out in shock and pain before it collapsed. The bird twitched for a few moments before it fell dead. And at that very moment, Ron took a sharp breath, and his head started to swim.

“What the…” Ron breathed as he went to one knee.

“Let’s see you heal up from this,” Josh said as he threw the cage to the side, and lifted the gun toward Ron, firing off a shot that hit him in the shoulder.

Ron cried out and fell back from the impact. His hand groped the wound, and he looked down to see blood running down his rain-soaked coat. “Oh, that sucks…” he breathed before Josh walked up to kick him square in the face, sending him tumbling backwards.

Ron landed face first into a puddle and slowly picked himself up, coughing blood. “Your makeup’s all washed off, Ronnie,” Josh laughed as he looked at the fallen avatar. “But what can we expect,” Josh said as Drakken and Shego stepped up beside him. “Once a loser, always a loser,” He said as he lifted his gun again and squeezed the trigger

There's a song that's inside of my soul
It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again

“RON!” Kim called out, flipping between them before being shoved backward from the impact of the bullet to the chest.

“KIMMIE!” Ron cried out as he caught Kim in his arms.

“Kim?” Josh gaped in shock.

I'm awake in the infinite cold

“Kim! What? Why are you here? Kim! Hang on,” He said, gripping the bullet wound on her chest, but shook his head when he saw that his healing abilities were gone with the rest of his abilities. “Kim, no… no!”

“I saw… you leave…” Kim whispered through shallow breaths, “couldn’t let you… couldn’t let you face this alone… wanted… wanted to be with you… till the end…”

But You sing to me over and over and over again

“Kim, you’re going to be ok; just hang on, ok? Just hang on!” Ron begged, keeping pressure on her wound.

“It’s ok… Ron… it’s ok…” Kim lifted a bloody hand to touch his cheek, “I love you Ron… now and…” She let out one final word. “Forever…”

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands
and pray to be only Yours
I pray to be only Yours
I know now you're my only hope

“Kim, no! Please, no!” Ron cried out as raw pain rushed through him as he clung to her rain-soaked body. “Kim! Kim, no! KIM! KIM!!!” his anguished cries caused the villains to stall.

But as quickly as his cries started, they stopped, and he froze, still holding her tightly to him.

Sing to me the song of the stars
Of Your galaxy dancing and laughing
and laughing again

Ron took his hand from her wound, soaked in her blood. He lifted his fingers and touched them to his rain-washed face; the villains watched in shock as the blood formed the marks across his eyes and the upward smile on his lips and cheeks. The wound on his shoulder healed instantly. “What? This wasn’t ever recorded; how?” Josh turned to see the Crow standing on the cage, glaring defiantly.

“CAW!” The Crow cried out before flying over to land on its avatar’s shoulder as he slowly laid Kim down and stood tall and menacing.

When it feels like my dreams are so far
Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again

“Time to pay up, guys,” Ron growled his eyes glared angrily at them. He opened his hand, causing the Lotus Blade rise from the ground and fly to his palm. A moment later, he tossed it with the speed of a bullet, striking Drakken through chest, the impact of which sent him flying backwards, pinning him to the wall of the warehouse.

“Doctor D!” Shego cried out in shock before relighting her hands.

Ron frowned deepened as Shego turned on him with an angry glare. The crow cawed again before flying away. Ron said nothing as he signaled for her to come on. And Shego rushed him, blazing claws first.

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray

“This is from me,” Ron growled as he caught her burning hands in his own, and then twisted them, snapping her wrists.

Shego cried out in pain and tried to stumble away, only to have her head caught in Ron’s grasp. “This is from Kim,” Ron whispered, forcing memories from Kim, the very memories of the beating and rape she took a year earlier, into Shego’s mind, locking them to constantly repeat.

Shego screamed as her eyes glazed over, and she fell to the ground crying. He started to finish her, but this was a much better punishment. He stepped over her and continued into the warehouse where Josh ran.

To be only yours
I pray to be only yours

“JOSH!” Ron called out as he walked into the warehouse, before catching sight of him climbing up toward the roof.

Josh honestly didn’t know where he was going, just trying to get away. He made it to the rooftop and threw open the door only to come face to face with Ron.

“You killed her,” Ron growled.

“It wasn’t supposed to happen!” Josh said desperately, “I was going to take care of her! I never wanted to really hurt her!”

“You had her beaten to a pulp,” Ron shouted as he grabbed Josh and punched him hard in the jaw. “You had her raped! You had her mind so screwed up with that shit you were pumping into her… And you said you didn’t want to really hurt her?” He said, emphasizing each point with a hard punch.

I know now

“I loved her…” Josh sputtered, blood running from his mouth and nose.

Ron’s eyes widened with rage. “How… dare… you…” He breathed before lifting him up and throwing him across the rooftop. “You don’t know the meaning of the word, you sick bastard!

“Let me show you what it means to love her,” Ron whispered dangerously as he grabbed his skull, implanting twelve years worth of memories.

Josh cried out as he stumbled backwards. “You took everything from us, Josh,” Ron said sadly. “Everything, and I will never forgive you for it.” He said, glaring at the stunned Josh. “Maybe you’re right, maybe I am a loser.” Ron stated, turning his back on the artist. “Because I won’t kill you; Kim wouldn’t want me to…” He glanced over his shoulders. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll save you from him,” He said closing his eyes. “Besides, he has some beef with you, too.”

“Huh?” Josh asked, blinking in confusion.

“CAW!!” He glanced to the side just to see the crow swooping down, talons first. Josh screamed as the Crow poked and slashed at his face, sending him backpedaling toward the edge before falling off the rooftop.

Ron looked down to see Josh laying on the ground with a broken neck. “It’s over, KP…”

You're my only hope

Ron stumbled out of the warehouse, feeling weaker than he had in a long time, struggling to stay on his feet. “Wha?” He asked as he held up his hands, his vision blurred. He covered his eyes as an SUV pulled up, its bright headlights blinding him.

“Stoppable-san!” a familiar voice called out in the night.

“Y-Yori?” Ron breathed as Yori and Hirotaka rushed toward him, catching him as he fell.

“Stoppable-san, is it over?” she asked, giving him a hard look. “Is it over?”

“Yeah… yeah it’s done…” He breathed deeply. “So tired…”

“We have to get him back to his resting place before his chi fades,” Yori said fearfully. The two ninja helped the avatar into their SUV.

“KP…” Ron looked to where her body still lay.

“There’s nothing you can do for her now, Ron-kun…” Yori said sadly. “Hiro-kun, follow that crow!” She said as the bird that had landed on the hood of their SUV took flight.

The SUV rushed through town at breakneck speeds before coming to a stop at Middleton Memorial Cemetery. Yori and Hirotaka helped him out of the vehicle and to the gate. “This is as far as we can go, Stoppable-san,” Yori said, gently holding his arm. “You must finish your journey on your own. I… I look forward to the day we meet again… on the other side.”

Ron nodded with a small smile before, on instinct, beginning to trudge through the dark cemetery. He looked up and saw his crow leading him in the air, cawing as if he was cheering him on.

I give You my destiny
I'm giving You all of me

He saw his tombstone a short ways away, and his legs gave out. On his hands and knees, he crawled toward his resting place. He was so tired, so cold. It was the same feeling he felt a year ago.

I want Your symphony
Singing in all that I am

He didn’t want to die like this again, all alone, so very cold. He made it to his tombstone and twisted his body to lie against it. The rain soaked his body, making him feel even colder. He was so very cold, so very lonely. “Kim…” He breathed as tears ran down his cheeks.

At the top of my lungs I'm giving it back

“Ron…” He heard her sweet voice.

So I lay my head back down
And I lift my hands and pray
To be only yours

He opened his eyes and saw a bright light shining through the rain, warming his body. And after a moment, he saw a person with flowing hair and a long, white gown walking from the light. Once she was close enough, he recognized her.

“Hey, Ron,” Kim smiled as she stood before him.

I pray to be only yours

“C’mon,” Kim said, holding out her hands to him. “It’s time to go home.”

I pray to be only yours

Ron reached up, took her hand in his, and rose to his feet. “Is it really over?” Ron asked hopefully.

“Over?” Kim smiled before moving in to kiss him softly on his lips. “Forever’s only just begun.”

Ron smiled back at her, and the two walked into the light hand in hand.

I know now you're my only hope

---

Monique stood beside Mr. and Mrs. Possible and their two remaining children. Anne nodded sadly, placing a hand on Monique’s shoulder, as the teenaged girl placed a rose on Kim’s grave, and then another on Ron’s.

They laid Kim at Ron’s side. The Stoppables insisted on it, as at his side was where she lived, at his side was where she should always be.

Monique smiled at her two best friends’ graves before turning to the two twins. Jim and Tim softly cried as they stared at Kim’s grave. “Hey, you know Kim and Ron aren’t really gone right?”

“But…” Jim and Tim said together as Monique went to one knee before them, placing a hand on both of their shoulders.

“If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them,” Monique said to the boys, as tears formed in her own eyes. “Buildings burn, people die… but real love… is forever.”

The End