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Okay. But I must forewarn u that it's really really long.
Cape Suzette; carnival 12:30 PM
It was a glorious fun-filled day at Cape Suzette’s 7th annual carnival of Unity. The crowds were in an uproar of joy, the rides were jammed-packed with riders, and carnival music continued to echo throughout the entire part for the large enormous crowds to hear. And not to mention that food was all abound for bears by any other name to enjoy. And of course, out of one of those bears was Baloo, who was just stuffing his face with a hot dog covered with ketchup, just as Kit and Wildcat were playing ‘the milk bottle’ game.
After gulping down the first hot dog, Baloo let out a pleasant sigh. “I just love hanging out at the Carny. I can just smell that good old fresh air.”
After Wildcat tossed a ball, accidentally breaking something, he took a sniff of the air. “Smells more like hot dogs, Baloo.”
“It’s great that Miz Cunningham gave us the day off, right Papa Bear?” Kit asked.
“You’re absolutely correct, Kit.” Baloo replied. “After all, working all day everyday at Higher For Hire is only gonna sink me lower and lower.”
“Well, she did do us a favor, Baloo. And not just for you, but also to spend some more time with Molly.”
“Yeah, so?”
“So perhaps Miz Cunningham’s gonna want you to return to favor?”
Baloo chuckled. “Me, return ol’ Beckers the favor? Come now, Kit. Becky doesn’t even trust me to do anything other than work, work, work.”
After Wildcat tossed his final ball, unable to hit the milk bottles, he joined in on the conversation. “But I thought if you broke her trust, she’d say ‘Baloo, you good for nothing…’ or ‘you’ll never in this town again if you don’t do this…’ or ‘Next time, I’m gonna strangle you…’ or—“
“Alright! Alright! I get the picture, Wildcat!” The furry bear instilled, as he took out another hot dog. “Besides, the last thing I wanna hear on my day off is Becky’s voice.”
But at that moment, as Baloo was about to take a bite out of his hot dog, Becky’s voice was heard off in the distance. “Baloo!” She called in distress.
Baloo froze. “Uh oh! Spoke too soon.”
Not too far off was the ambitious Rebecca, who was pushing her way out of a huge crowd of people to get to Baloo and company. “Excuse me! Pardon me! Have mercy!” It wasn’t before long until she was free from the crowd and with our heroes, but looked tired and exhausted.
“What’s wrong Miz Cunningham?” Kit asked.
Becky took a moment to catch her breath. “Whew! Baloo I’m glad I caught you. I need you to do me a favor!”
Baloo groaned. “Oh no! Uh Uh! This better not be another one of your crazy ideas, lady.”
“But Baloo, this is important. Molly’s missing and I can’t find her.”
Baloo sighed with relief. “You mean little pigtails’ solid gone again?”
“I know. And out of all the places to get lost, the carnival.”
“Don’t worry Miz Cunningham. We’ll find her for you.” Kit assured the eager and worried boss lady, and then turning his attention to Baloo and Wildcat. “Come on guys. Let’s split up. She’s bound to pop up somewhere.”
“Yeah. But the question is ‘where?’” Baloo remarked.
---
And so, the little orphan cub, the bush pilot and idiot mechanic split up in three different locations to find the little girl cub, Molly.
Baloo looked through the kiddy rides to see if she could find the little six-year-old, but unfortunately no luck, after looking through merry go rounds, the playpens and the merry go round.
In the meantime, Wildcat looked through the most unusual and unfortunate places. He tried the ladies room and even looked through the concession stand food pots, but didn’t have any luck finding the little tike either.
It all eventually boiled down to Kit, who was walking near a crowd of people in search of the little lost girl.
---
“Molly?! Molly!” He called out, as he navigated through the crowd of tall adults, not knowing if he could trust them.
But as Kit kept looking around, he came face to face with what looked like Lucy, Molly’s doll.
“Oh. Hey Lucy.” He greeted. But just then, Kit’s eyes lit up, realizing that Lucy was only a doll. But who was holding her? “Wait a minute…” He bent down to find that Molly was carrying the doll on her shoulders the whole time. “Molly!”
“Hi Kit! I was just giving Lucy a tour of the carnival. How have you been?” The little girl cub asked with such cute innocence.
“Your mom’s been looking all over for you. Don’t you know how worried she is?”
Molly innocently frowned. “I didn’t know. She never pays attention to me anyway. I’m too little.”
“Come on. Let’s get you back with the group.” Kit said as he held her hand, walking back.
---
And so…
Molly was eventually reunited back with the group, including her mom who was relieved to find that Molly was safe.
“Oh Molly. Don’t ever scare mommy like that again.” She scolded her as he hugged her. “I thought some stranger was out to find out or worse.”
“Ditto, cupcake. At your height, you can be easily gone; solid gone.” Baloo added.
“You guys always say that, but you never pay attention to me anyway.” Molly complained.
“Oh, that’s not true, Molly.” Kit coaxed.
“Yes it is. It’s because I’m the smallest. And nobody ever pays attention to you, when you’re little.”
A guilty looked formed upon Becky’s face. “Oh, we’re sorry pumpkin. This time we’ll make it up to you. In fact, we’re all going to spend the rest of the carnival day with you, aren’t we?” She rhetorically asked the others.
“Miz Cunningham’s right, Baloo. This is a great way to return the favor.” Kit reminded the bush pilot.
Baloo rolled his eyes, with a subtle smile on his face. “Okay, Kid. If Molly wants to be among the grown ups, then let’s pull chocks.”
“Then it’s all settled.” Becky instilled.
And so, the Higher for Hire family packed back together so they could help Becky keep her promise to Molly.
But before they could continue on any further, Wildcat wanted to ask Baloo one question. “Hey Baloo. Do you have anymore tickets for the carnival games? I wasted all of mine hitting fragile things and people instead of the milk bottles.”
Baloo chuckled. “Oh Wildcat.”
---
Later…
The gang was anxiously waiting on a long line for a family-fun type log ride, where you’d ride all the way to the top of a small river, make a sharp turn and then end with a steep drop all the way down for a big splash.
As they continued to wait, Molly noticed all the fun that everybody on the roller coaster ride. “Mommy! Baloo! Look at all those people riding super-dooper fast on those loops!” She pointed out.
Wildcat scratched his head. “Awe, I thought those were called ‘Roller Coasters.’”
“Sorry cupcake. You’re too little to ride a ride like the roller coaster.” Baloo said, patting her little head.
“No I’m not. I—“
“Molly. Baloo said ‘no.’” Becky corrected her. “And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but for once I’m agreeing with him.”
“Don’t worry, Molly. We’ll have plenty of fun riding the log ride.” Kit coaxed.
It wasn’t before long until the line grew shorter and it was Higher for Hire’s turn in line.
“Next!” The ticket holder called out.
As our 5 friends made their way to gate, Baloo handed the ticket holder the tickets for the log ride. “5 for the log ride.” He said proudly as he presented the tickets.
After he received the tickets, he examined them each carefully from top to bottom, shortly before coming to Molly; which was when he pointed out Molly’s height. “I’m sorry, but she’s too small to ride the log ride.”
Baloo’s eyes lit up. “What?”
“I am not too small!” Molly retaliated.
“Don’t believe me, little girl? Then perhaps you should check again with my measuring stick.” He said as he took out the tall measuring stick, and placed it on the ground to measure Molly.
Once Molly got under the measuring stick, she lifted herself with her toes, attempting to reach the height required. “See, I’m not too small.”
“Check again, little miss. According to the mark you are exactly one centimeter under the required height limit, without standing with your toes that is.”
“Oh, that’s not fair.” Molly complained.
“I’m sorry, pumpkin. Maybe next year you’ll be taller to ride.” Becky calmed her child.
“You always say that.” Molly moaned.
“What do we do now?” Baloo asked.
“How about not keep the line waiting?” The ticket holder remarked.
“We’re just gonna have to go without Molly, Miz Cunningham. But don’t worry, she can hang with Wildcat.” Kit suggested.
Becky thought about it for a moment and tried giving it a shot. “You hear that, Wildcat? You think you can watch Molly, while Baloo, Kit and I go on the ride?” She asked the clumsy mechanic.
“’Can I watch her?’ ‘Can I watch her?’” Wildcat said, seemingly chuckling with pride, before looking unsure. “I guess so.”
“I’ll take that to mean, ‘yes.’” Baloo remarked.
“Now you stay with Wildcat, Molly. After this ride, I promise we’ll go on more rides together.” Becky said waving to her daughter, as she, Baloo and Kit boarded upon the log ride, as Molly watched them off in the distance enjoying the fun without her or Wildcat.
So, while the others were enjoying the thrill of the log ride, Molly was wallowing in her self-pity.
“I’m too little to do anything, Wildcat.” She moaned.
“Awe, don’t feel Molly. You can still ride the big slide that you slide down on with a rug, or even those animals that ride you around and around in a circle.” Wildcat coaxed.
“That’s not the point. Mommy and the others get to the ride the bigger and better rides because they’re taller. Wildcat, were they born that way?”
The clumsy mechanic thought about it for a moment. “You know, not really.”
Molly’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Yeah. In fact, my mother once told me, or I think it was my brother (but I don’t think I have a brother), or maybe it was my dog…oh nevermind. Anyway, when I was your age, I was tiny too.”
“You were? How short?”
“Hmmm…. I think it was just about your size.”
“But how did you grow up so big?”
“Well, everyday when I got up in the morning, I’d take a small pencil and make a tiny whiny mark right over my head. That way I could see how I tall I grew.”
Molly clapped with excitement. “Oh Wildcat, I want to measure myself and become tall too, just like you, mommy and Baloo.”
“But I thought Baloo was fat.” He thought to himself.
“And you know what? Maybe I will go on those smaller rides today. After all, we don’t stay small forever.”
“Good idea. So, are we going to ride the one with the animals?”
---
Over the course of time for the next two weeks…
After the day at the carnival was finally over, things resumed back to normal. Baloo and Kit were busy making his deliveries for Higher for Hire, as Becky resumed her managing job. But in the meantime, Molly made herself an area to measure herself, right in the corner of the staircases. Everyday, while Higher for Hire was doing business with their usual clients; Molly was doing her usual business measuring herself to see how tall she’s grown daily. Day after day, she’d pencil in that same area on the wall, to see if she made any progress growing up. But it seemed that the results were all the still the same, until one day…
Later… [11:30 am]
After the course of the two weeks was up, Wildcat had noticed that Molly seemed to make a little progress.
“How am I doing, Wildcat?” She asked.
Wildcat examined the mark on the wall, that Molly penciled above her head, to notice something different. “You know, I think you really have grown taller.”
Molly lit up with excitement. “Really? Oh boy! How much?”
Wildcat took a good look at the mark again, using a measuring stick to see how much. “I think it’s exactly one millimeter long.”
“How big is a ‘mel-e-meter’?”
Wildcat looked at his ruler to measure how much a millimeter was, using his fingers, only to show only a little spec of growth. “I think this much.”
Molly frowned. “Oh. I didn’t grow at all.” She complained.
“It’s okay, Molly-cat. You only have…um…uh…” Wildcat had a hard time figuring how long it took for her to growth. “…You’ll have about, say, 10 more years worth of growth left? And then, you’ll be just as tall as me or your mom.”
Molly was surprised. “That long? I can’t wait that long.”
Shortly after, Becky had walked right through the front door of Higher for Hire so she can get down to business on her extremely long ‘to do’ list as she sat on her chair of her desk. “Now, let’s see. What’s on my to do list?” The business lady examined the list diligently to see what has to be taken care of. That’s when she spotted a meeting for Molly’s new school year. “Oh my goodness. I have to meet up with Molly’s teachers for the new school year today. I’ll soon fix that.” She said to herself.
She then got off from her seat and reached for her jacket on the coat hanger, and headed for the door. “Wildcat, I’m going to meeting with Molly’s new teachers today, and then I have some groceries to pick up. Can you watch, Molly for me again?”
Before Wildcat could answer, a huge leak sprung from the ground below him, splashing over the floor. “Unfortunately Miss Cunningham, I have to watch that pipe today. It looks like he’s bleeding.” He said.
“Okay, Wildcat’s out of the question.” Becky said to herself. “I guess all that’s left is…Baloo.” She gulped. But Becky had to get a grip of herself, and just had to try to trust Baloo this time. “Easy Rebecca. It’s only for the day. I’m sure Baloo could handle it. After all, he has Kit with him. Yup, Molly will be just fine.” She said to herself.
She then grabbed a small bag of mangos that were delivered from the Fandango Mango company, which she typically orders from, and called out, to the disappointed Molly. “Come on, Molly. You get to fly with Baloo and Kit today.”
“I’m coming. I’m coming.” Molly remarked in a groaning tone in her voice, following her mother out the door.
Outside the deck of Higher for Hire, where the Sea Duck was typically parked, was Baloo taking a nap, on a hammock tied right below the ‘Higher for Hire’ sign.
In the meantime, Kit was polishing up the right door of the plane, revealing a reflection of his face. He then made a bright, big smile to respond to the reflection of his good-looking coolness.
Rebecca was seen walking down the deck with Molly following her, towards Baloo’s location and was going to wake him from his nap on the job. She was a bit shaky about asking Baloo, but it had to be done. “Baloo? Baloo!” She called to him.
But Baloo was fast asleep, dreaming about dancing with some hot braud, to one of his favorite beats. “Oh baby. That is some beat.” He said, in his sleep.
“He’s just dreaming again, Mizz Cunningham.” Kit forewarned her. To wake him up, Kit grabbed a bucket sitting next to him, filled it with water from the deck, and walked over to the Higher for Hire sign where Baloo was asleep dreaming. “This wakes him up everytime.” And without warning, Kit dumped the bucket of water on Baloo, splashing him in the face and woke him up from his dream, resulting in him being spun off the hammock and into the bay.
Baloo was in complete surprise. “Yikes! Sugar, we’re going down swinging. We’ve been--” He then opened his eyes, bringing him back to reality right in front of him.
Becky laughed at the enjoyment of Baloo being all washed up. “I always knew Baloo would be all washed up. Get it, Molly?”
But Molly didn’t say a word. She was still in self-pity over the fact she was too little in height.
After being all washed up, Baloo climbed back on the deck of Higher for Hire to see what was going on, and was embarrassed that Becky found him sleeping on the job. “Eh, heh heh. Sorry Becky. I was gonna help Kit after I was…um…uh…” He said as he squeezed the water out of his hat.
“Can it, Baloo. Right now, I need you and Kit to watch Molly for me, while I attend a meeting at her school, and make a quick delivery.”
Baloo’s eyes lit up. “Me?”
“Yes you.” She remarked with a pleasant smile, and a cute tinkling in her eyes. “And the reason behind me asking you, is because I trust you.”
“Really? Why I…I didn’t know.”
“I understand your surprise. Usually, I don’t trust you to do anything and always expect that you’ll mess up everytime I ask a favor. But that’s all gonna change right now, because you and Kit are gonna watch Molly for me, while you make your one and only delivery for the day.”
Baloo’s eyes lit up again, but which excitement. “Really? Just one delivery? Oh ho, Becky, you are a lifesaver. You just say it, I’ll take it and I’ll deliver it.”
“All you have to do is deliver this bag of mangos to the No-Smokey Mountains. And then you have the day off to look after Molly.” She said as she handed the bag of mangos.
“The No-Smokey Mountains? That’s where ol’ Buzz lives. This should be a piece of cake.”
“Then it’s all settled.” Becky said, shaking his hand, and then gently patting Molly on the head with love. “Now you be a good girl, Molly. For your new school year, I’m gonna buy you a big contain of Frosty Pep to celebrate your new school year.”
“Who cares?” Molly said to herself.
“Well, catch you later Becky.” Baloo waved as he, Kit and Molly boarded onto the Sea Duck.
As usually, Baloo and Kit sat in their usual spots in the cockpit of the Sea Duck, with Baloo starting up the controls of the plane, and Kit at the navigator’s seat. But Molly was sitting in the back of the plane, buckled up in the backseat, where the cargo was stored, and didn’t say another word.
“Why do you think Buzz would want mangos?” Kit asked, while Baloo was starting up the plane.
Baloo shrugged. “Eh, who knows. He’s probably decided to call it a quits after all of them ideas he’s come up with and get a drink. Besides, a guy could die of thirst up on that mountain, you know?”
“Could be.” Kit nodded.
“Now, let’s take this duck and fly.”
Baloo then backed up the Sea Duck out of Higher for Hire’s bay and made a sharp turn around, facing the cliff up ahead of his view. He then accelerated the plane’s speed on the open water and maneuvered the plane off the water’s ground, gaining more altitude as the Sea Duck gracefully flew right through the cliff entrance of Cape Suzette.
Becky looked at the plane fly away as she waved goodbye. “He’ll get this right. I know he will.” Becky said to herself.
---
12:30 PM
The sky was clear blue as the Sea Duck was high flying on its way to the No-Smokey Mountains. And today was certainly a beautiful day for flying; no pirates, no stormy weather, no anything.
Baloo knew in the back of his head that today was going to be a good day, as he sat back and relaxed at the pilot seat. “Well Kit, looks like this is gonna be a great day after all. Not a trace of any air pirates or even the slightest thunder storm. Yup, Becky’s gonna be proud of me that I took care of Molly just fine.”
“Speaking of Molly, I’ve noticed she hasn’t said anything half the trip. I’m worried about her, Papa Bear.” Kit pointed out.
“How come?”
“She had a sad look on her face before we left. I think her height problem’s really stunted her spirit.”
“Sounds like she needs some good ol’ talkin. And I know whose job that is.” Baloo said as he took a crowbar and stuck it under the Duck’s steering wheel. “Keep the Duck on auto-pilot, little britches.”
Baloo then got off the pilot seat and headed for the backroom where Molly was sitting.
As he opened the door, he noticed she was sitting quietly while looking out the window. He quickly let out a small sigh, before walking over and began speaking to her.
Approaching her, he gently put his hand on her shoulder. “Hey cupcake? You sore?” He asked.
But Molly didn’t say a word, giving Baloo an unintentional cold shoulder.
“Awe, you can tell ol’ Baloo.”
“I’m not in the mood. I’m probably too little to understand anything.” She said.
“You still sore about being ‘little’ and not ‘big’ like me or Becky?”
Hearing Baloo’s question, Molly had no choice but to answer. “It’s just not fair. After all that hard work of measuring how tall I grow, I’m still this small. That guy at the carnival was right, I’m too little to do anything?”
“So that what this was all about?” He asked, as he got to the root of the problem.
Molly nodded. “Yeah.”
“Awe, now listen to me Molly. None of that height stuff matters. It doesn’t matter how big you are on the outside, but how big you are on the inside.” He said, point to her chest, as looked beneath.
Once again, Molly’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Really?”
“You maybe small, but I know one thing you have that’s way beyond other people’s heights…and that’s spirit. Molly, don’t ever let that part of you change; no matter how tall you get.”
A smile formed on the 6-year-old, as she gave Baloo a big hug. “Thanks Baloo.”
After they hugged, Molly began pondering hard. “Now, what to do?”
“Thinking about something?” Baloo asked.
“Baloo, you’re right that I have a whole lots of big spirit. I just wish I knew how to give a boost.”
As Baloo thought about a suggestion, he quickly spotted a pasta drainer lying underneath Molly’s seat. He quickly picked it up, giving him an idea. “Well well, what have we here? You know Molly, I think I know who’d have the answer to your question.” He said, giving a wink.
Baloo handed Molly the round pasta drainer as she bestowed it upon her head. “I think I know too, Baloo.”
---
In a matter of moments, Molly busted out of the backroom’s door, fully dressed in her DW costume as she cried out, “Danger Woman!” The act practically took Kit by surprise, but was quickly relieved to recognize that it was Molly, and that her smile was back.
“Take that evil doers!” She said as she waved her spatula wand around some flies.
Baloo soon followed her back to the room, as Kit gave him a smile of appreciation. “Well Papa Bear, I think you finally got her back to normal.” He complimented.
Baloo then returned behind the wheel as he took out the crowbar, and resume flying. “Let’s just say, like Buzz, I’m so full of ideas.” He said with a chuckle.
---
No-Smokey Mountains 1:15 PM
The Sea Duck was approaching its destination as it flew past the partly cloudy, yet sunny sky that resided over the Mountains of No-Smokey. Baloo banked the plane with a swerve around the mountain, where Buzz’s thinking spot was hidden within, and landed beneath in the jungle forest area nearby Buzz; who was out in the open, along with what looked liked his latest invention. But to any other person, it would look more like an oversized hairdryer.
Anyway, after Baloo parked the duck, he, Kit and Molly (as Danger Woman) emerged outside to catch up with old Buzz.
Buzz looked so happy to see his old friends again, but was completely new to Molly. “Baloo. Kit. Little girl?”
“The name is, Danger Woman, you mad scientist.” Molly accused in her typical Danger Woman tone, as she waved his spatula at him.
“Molly. He’s not a mad scientist. He’s our friend.” Kit instilled to her, whispering.
“Hey Hey Buzz. How’s it going?” Baloo said, tipping his hat to his old time friend.
“It’s great to see you after all these years, Baloo.” Buzz said shaking his hand.
Baloo was puzzled. “Uh, didn’t we last meet a few months ago?”
Buzz froze. “Oh yeah. By the way, who’s the little girl that came along with you and Kit?”
“This is Molly; Mizz Cunningham’s daughter.” Kit introduced. “Pardon her ‘Danger Woman’ mood, if you don’t mind.”
“Oh of course. Besides, I’m not mad (at least not like that Doctor with the robot who tried to kidnap Khan [but that’s a different story].”
“Say ‘Danger Woman’, why don’t you play around nearby while me N Kit play catch up with Buzz.”
“Sure thing, Baloo. Danger Woman is on the job, pretty the innocent, wherever she goes.” She declared, as she frolicked through the forest nearby the gang.
“Watch out for any traps!” Kit warned her.
“Anyway, did you boys bring the mangoes?” Buzz asked.
“Sure did.” Kit said as he showed him the small bag of mangoes.
“You know Buzz, if you really were thirsty or hungry, I could’ve just given you a ride over to Louie’s. He’s got the best Krakatoa specials a guy’s ever tasted.” Baloo suggested.
“Oh no. It’s not for my next meal. It’s for my latest invention.”
“What? A hot fruit Sunday?” Baloo remarked with a small chuckle.
“Actually, it’s right over there.” Buzz said, pointing to what looked like the oversized hairdryer.
Baloo and Kit were amazed, as they gave their peepers a gander of what they saw. “Wow. What is that thing?” Kit asked.
“Looks like an oversized hairdryer.” Baloo suggested.
“It’s really my latest invention yet. I call it, ‘a growth ray.’” Buzz proclaimed.
Baloo and Kit froze. “A growth ray?” They asked.
“It’s a device that’s used to…well…make things grow. It’s an invention that I’ve been waiting all my life to create. And I’m finally going to use that dream invention and put an end to world hunger.”
“But how does it work?” Kit asked.
“Allow me to demonstrate. All you have to do is place the item that you want to grow in this spot right here.” He said, placing the mangos in a spot marked as a target. He then walked over to the growth ray to get it operated, as he said in the chair. “Then, you move the beam around to take aim with these levers.” He said, demonstrating, by moving the levers around, causing the beam to move automatically. “Oh, you might wanna stand back.” He suggested.
Baloo and Kit backed up, not knowing why. “How come?” Kit asked.
“Because we’ve reached the final step: press this button and instant growth, like so!” At that moment, Buzz pressed the button, expecting the mangos to grow, but nothing happened. He tried pressing it again. “Like so!” Once again, no huge mangos. But Buzz wouldn’t give up. “Like so!” He said, as he continually pressed the button.
Baloo and Kit didn’t understand what was going on, nor were they too impressed.
“Shotty workmanship.” Baloo commented.
Kit nodded. “They sure don’t invent things like they used to.”
“I don’t get it. I could’ve sworn I’ve calibrated its fratastat before I synchronized the growth combo, and circuited the figgit-statter.” Buzz pondered.
All those big words were right over Baloo’s head, which couldn’t understand what he was saying. “Speak English, Buzz. Will ya?” He asked.
“I think it means something’s wrong in the backroom, where the growth ray’s plugged in. Let’s just follow the extension cord and it’ll lead us right to the problem.” Buzz jumped off his chair, as he and the others followed the chord; right back to Buzz’s hideout.
“If Buzz speaks that language again, I’m gonna lose my mind.” Baloo remarked.
“You haven’t lost it yet, Baloo.” Kit joked.
---
Meanwhile…
While Baloo, Buzz and Kit went to look deeper into the growth ray problem, Molly was busy playing Danger Woman, as usual.
“Take that and that, you pirates.” She said as she kept smacking away at some weeds with her little spatula, until there was none left. “Once again, Danger Woman is on the job protecting the innocent, and saving the day!” After she finished, she gave a triumphant pose, looking so humble and anxious. But then she looked around to see if there was anything else to, and immediately got bored. “Danger Woman is really bored out of her pants. Baloo said I should never ever let my really big spirit go bye bye, but what should I do?” She then took another glance around to see what she can do, which was when she found Buzz’s growth ray. “I know! Danger Woman can shoot down some more pirates from the cliffs.”
She then came running down to the growth ray, anxiously hopping on the chair and instantly started playing around with the levers. She then pressed the button that would fire the growth ray, pretending that she’s shooting down air pirates. “Take that again, Don Garbage! And some for youz too, air pirates.”
---
Ironically, Buzz and the others didn’t even noticed that she was messing around with the growth ray because they were following the extension cord back to Buzz’s lab.
Once they followed the cord back to his lab, they looked around to see if they could find the problem.
However, that didn’t take too long when Kit noticed the plug wasn’t pulled into the outlet. “I think I found your problem, Buzz.”
Buzz saw what Kit had pointed and was embarrassed that he was blushing. “Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Plug it in, Plug it in, little britches.” Baloo joked.
Kit then plugged the cord back into the outlet, Buzz took out a remote control.
“I forgot to tell you that I can operate the growth ray two ways. With this remote control, I can activate its laser with a push of this button.”
Baloo chuckled with delight. “Buzz, you really gave this some real thinking.”
“It’s the thought that counts.” Buzz thankfully replied as he pressed the button on his remote.
---
In the meantime, back outside, the machine started acting up as all the growth ray’s energy was being stored into the beam, a red colored glow. All the excitement took Molly by surprise. She thought that the machine was going haywire and had to do something and fast. “I better do something.” She thought to herself. She then came in front of the growth ray and tried talking to the machine. “I’m sorry. Please calm down. If my mommy finds out, she’ll ground me.” But the energy of the growth ray’s beam zapped right where Molly was standing. You guessed it, the machine zapped her. Soon after, the molecules in her body began enlarging, causing her whole body to grow higher and higher until she was as tall as the tallest mountain on No-Smokey, standing over 50 ft tall. She then looked around her and down to see what had happened, feeling real awkward. “I guess I’m too tall to be grounded.”
You’re probably wondering where were Baloo, Kit and Buzz in all this? Well, shortly after Molly became a ‘big girl’, the gang hurried outside to see if Buzz’s growth ray was a complete success.
“Sounds like my invention was a complete success.” Buzz said.
But as soon as they got outside, everybody was taken by surprised by Molly’s enormous height. Everybody couldn’t believe that they saw a 50-foot 6-year-old standing right in front of them.
Kit gulped “Maybe a little too successful.”
Petrified by what he saw, Baloo fainted and collapsed on the ground.
Surprised, Kit quickly bent down to wake Baloo up. “Baloo, wake up! Wake up!”
As unconscious as Baloo looked, he slowly opened his eyes to regain strength from the faint. Once awaken, he rubbed his eyes to make sure he was dreaming or not.
“You know little britches? I had the weirdest dream that I really let Becky down.”
“Baloo, you’re not dreaming.” Kit forewarned, directing him to Molly.
Baloo looked up again to see that Molly was still 50 feet tall. Molly quickly spotted everybody down below, and waved at them.
Again upset, Baloo nearly fainted, but was completely conscious.
“Don’t worry, Baloo. I’m sure Mizz Cunningham will understand when she learns it’s not your fault.” Buzz coaxed.
“Not my fault?! Not my fault?! Becky’s gonna kill me.” Baloo overreacted, as he got up and shook Buzz.
“Calm down, Papa Bear. She’d never kill you.” Kit advised.
“You’re right; she’s not gonna kill me. She’s gonna have my head on a silver platter, when she finds out what happened to Molly!”
“Hi Baloo! You and Kit look like ants from up here.” She spoke with a loud echoing-type voice that hurt the eardrums of everybody’s ears below.
“Molly! Not so loud!” Kit shouted.
Molly couldn’t understand what Kit said, due to her height and how she perceived their voices as squeaky sounding. “What?!” She called out.
Once again, the echoing of her loud voice rang the eardrums of Baloo, Kit and Buzz.
“Baloo! What are we going to do?!” Kit shouted.
“What?!” Baloo asked.
“He said, ‘What are we going to do?’” Buzz said repeating Kit’s words.
It wasn’t long until the loud soundwave of Molly’s voice cleared up, making it easier for everyone to talk.
“My ears are ringing.” Kit complained.
“Buzz, is there anyway you can shrink Molly back to normal?” Baloo begged.
“Well, as the old saying goes ‘there’s good news and bad news.’” Buzz said.
“Lay on the good news for me.”
“The good news is that there is a way for me to shrink her back to normal.”
“What’s the bad news?” Kit asked.
“Well, it’s going take a few hours before I get it working again. You see, the growth ray can only take up so much power that it needs it’s time to recharge before it can be operated again.”
“Well, I guess a few hours wouldn’t hurt.” Baloo said, attempting to turn the other cheek.
“You were right, Baloo!” Molly interrupted. “It does matter how big I am on the inside. Now that I’m bigger outside, I’ll bet a have a whole lot more spirit inside. Hooray!” She joyfully said, as she skipped for joy. But the force of her skipping, caused the whole ground to shake below, that our heroes were standing upon.
“I better get back to Cape Suzette.” Baloo said, as the ground vibrated.
“Good idea. Me and Buzz will stay behind and wa-watch M-Molly.” Kit said, with vibration in his voice.
In the midst of the ground shaking, Baloo walked over back to the Sea Duck as best as he could, but the ground kept tossing and turning him around until he was flat on the ground, unable to move. Moments later, the shaking stopped. “Whoa baby. Glad that’s over.” He said to himself. He was only a few steps away from the Duck, until Molly reached down and took the plane right off the ground, taking Baloo by surprised.
“Vroom! Vroom! Watch out for the air pirates, Baloo!” Molly said as she played with the Sea Duck, pretending it was flying.
Baloo was worried of what Molly might do to his baby. “Oh no, she’s taken my plane!”
“Molly! Put down the Sea Duck!” Kit shouted.
“What?!” She cried out, with the echo of her voice repeating the same process.
“Not again!” Kit said, covering his ears from the loudness of her voice.
“What should we do?” Buzz asked.
Quickly, an idea popped up in Kit’s brain. “Got any Frosty Pep, Buzz?”
“Oh sure. It’s in my icebox back in my workshop. I always love that great icy-taste. Why?” Buzz said.
Without warning, Kit ran down back to the workshop to the icebox. He then opened the box, looked around until he found Molly’s favorite Ice Cream brand. He quickly grabbed it, and hurried back outside where the giant Molly was carrying the Sea Duck.
“Hey Molly! Look what I got!” Kit shouted, waving the Frosty Pep container.
When Molly looked down below, and saw Kit with the Frosty Pep. She was completely overjoyed by the site of her favorite ice cream. She quickly kneeled down “Is that Frosty Pep?” She asked in her loud voice again.
“Not so loud!” Kit shouted.
“Oh, so that’s what you were saying. Sor—“ She quickly passed to stop her loud talking, and softly whispered instead. “Oh, sorry.”
“Trade you the Sea Duck for this Frosty Pep.” Kit said as he waved the container again.
“Okay.” Molly said, as she landed the plane down, and reached for the container of Frosty Pep, with her big yellow hands.
Baloo was quickly relieved. “Whew. Good call, little britches. Now, let’s stick with the plan. While the machine warms up, you look after Molly.”
“I think she’ll be the one who’ll be doing the looking, Baloo.” Buzz said.
---
Later, back at Cape Suzette…
Baloo was able to fly back to Cape Suzette as fast as he could, landing at the docks of Higher for Hire, bursting out the door and headed into town to see if he could catch up with Rebecca. He didn’t even bother to check up with Wildcat, who was still hard at work fixing up the water pipe that needed repair. Baloo just kept huffing and puffing as he jogged the steady pace to find his boss, who was at the grocery store.
---
When Baloo arrived at the financial district of Cape Suzette, he looked left and rights down each street, to see if he could find the grocery store anywhere. As he kept searching, he spotted his brown-haired boss lady at the ‘Foodstore Cowboy’ picking out some groceries.
“Haha. Looks like I found the needle in the haystack.” He said to himself.
Before approaching Becky, he took a deep breath, fixed his hair and then slowly walked down her way to give her a warm welcome. “Hopefully, she won’t find out that ‘you know who’ was ‘lord knows what’, and won’t ‘you know what.’” He reminded himself, before calling out to Becky. “Hiya Beckers!”
Becky turned her attention, surprised and baffled to find him here. “Baloo! What are you doing here? I thought you were watching Molly?”
“Quit worryin, Becky. Kit’s watchin’ her. After I delivered them mangos to the No-Smokey mountains, just like you wanted, I flew the Duck back home, and dropped off Little Britches and ol’ pigtails back at Higher for Hire.”
“But, what are you doing here?”
“Kit wanted me to help you go shopping, like last time, to prove once again you can rely on him.”
Becky’s eyebrow rose, as she became suspicious. “Wait a minute. I thought you hate shopping? What’s the catch, Baloo?”
“No catch. Kit convinced me so well, that old Baloo decided to help you, so I can prove to you how reliable I am.”
At that moment, Becky was officially convince; as her suspicions cleared up, releasing them with a chuckle. “Well, that’s good enough for me. I guess things did work out after all. Thanks Baloo.”
Baloo gladly smiled, thinking about how this plan may work after all. “Oh-hoo. Now all I have to do is wait a few hours and Buzz should buzz Molly back to normal.” He thought to himself.
---
Meanwhile, back at Buzz’s thinking spot…
While the Growth ray was taking its time loading up for its next use; Buzz and Kit were having a hard time keep the 50-foot Molly at bay. She was too busy walking around the mountains, viewing a few planes that were right above her, and then being easily distracted by the birds that were below her.
“Birdies!” She said with excitement, trying to chase after the birds. For the birds, the site of a 50 foot six-year old put terror in their eyes that they flew away as fast as they could, away from Molly. “Come back birdies!” Molly cried out, with the force of her voice echoing throughout the surrounding area.
This time, Kit and Buzz were prepared. They both had earplugs to prevent her loud voice hurting their tiny ears, along with Kit being equipped with a speakerphone, so they could speak with Molly up above them.
“Molly! Calm down!” Kit said through the speaker. “I know being tall really seems fun, but you gotta watch yourself. Your gonna get yourself or anybody else hurt if you don’t look where you’re going.”
Molly turned her attention to Kit, down below, and gave him an attitude. “No way. I’m all grown up now. And what the grown up says, goes.”
“Molly, you aren’t grown up. You’ve been blown up. And as soon as Buzz fixes the machine, he’s going to shrink back down to normal size.”
Molly shook her head. “Uh uh. No way. You can’t tell me what to do.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because I’m taller than you; that’s why. And what the tallest person in the whole world says, then it goes. And the grown up says, it’s time to play Danger Woman.” The giant toddler began walking away from Kit and Buzz, and headed in the direction Baloo had flown, back to Cape Suzette.
“Molly! Get back here!” Kit called out, in the speaker.
“Lemme try.” Buzz said, as Kit handed him the speaker. “Uh, Molly. Your mom will be very upset if you don’t do what Kit tells you.”
Molly turned her attention to them one last time. “You guys can’t tell me what to do. I’m a grown up. And when mommy finds that you guys mess with a grown up, you’re in big trouble.” Molly then walked down her way towards the ocean shore. As she walked into the water, the coldness gave her a small chill. “Ooh. Cold.” She thought to herself. But shortly after, she slowly walked into the ocean water, as her entire body sank into the ocean’s depth, leaving nothing but a trail of water currents behind. Too soon, she was away from the shore and was heading back to Cape Suzette.
Kit and Buzz tried to catch up with her, but couldn’t keep up with her giant pace. She was already out of range for them to keep up and had walked as far as the eye could see. Already, Kit didn’t know what to do from there. “Buzz, Molly’s right. But we’re already in trouble. She’s going to Cape Suzette. And not only will Mizz Cunningham know, the whole town will know and think she’s a monster. How are we gonna shrink her back now?”
“Not to worry, Kit. We’ll use my queezinart.”
---
Moments later…
The Growth ray was all loaded up in Buzz’s Queezinart and was almost nearing it’s loading time. By that time, Buzz was behind the controls, with Kit at his side, trying to catch a lead on Molly’s trail, up in the sky. As you can see, the Growth ray was still connected back at Buzz’s thinking spot, with a giant cord forming a trail in the sky.
“How did you manage to pull it off, Buzz?” Kit asked, regarding the extension cord.
“I was able to create this extra-lengthy extension cord, so that the Growth Ray can go with me wherever I go. It can travel up to 20 miles. Although, I’m still thinking of how to make it more portable, without the use of cords.”
Kit rolled his eyes. “That’ll be the day.” He remarked.
---
Cape Suzette—cliff guns 3:23 PM
It was a quite and still afternoon for the cliff guns that diligently kept their guard protecting Cape Suzette from outside invaders and air pirates. As usual, everybody was resuming their business as usual relaxing and playing checkers. For not one air pirate was spotted for days.
Down below, an old-time retired cliff gunner by the name of, Barney O Turret was outside his hangout, and was sitting by the edge of the cliff, trying to catch some fish. Little did he know, his fishing rod was far from touching the water down below. Fortunately, he had the hook in the bucket from where he sat.
Up above the hangout were two other cliff gunners, as they happened to pass by Barney from up top, poking fun at ol’ Barney.
“Hey Barney! Got any catch of the week?” Cliff gunner #1 shouted.
“Nope. But I’ve seen it done…”
“A Million times!” Cliff gunner #2 remarked, shortly before both of them laughed.
Barney put down his fishing rod, to give those cliff gunners a piece of his mind from below. “Now listen hear you youngsters. I may be old, but I know a thing or two about fishing. One of those things is that if you listen real close to the water, you can hear the fish coming.”
“Like that’ll ever happen!” Cliff gunner #2 remarked, as he and cliff gunner #2 continued laughing.
But little did Barney or those two other cliff gunners know, something big was about to happen. For at that moment, a thump was heard from the distance. It started out small, as it echoed inside Barney’s bucket that he was fishing in, but then grew louder and sounded like it was coming closer.
Barney heard it, and was certain he was right about fishing coming. “See, told you I was right.”
All of that was soon about to change when something or someone was beginning to emerge out of the ocean water right outside the cliff guns. As the huge form began to rise; a creature that was reminiscent of a little girl with pig tail-like ears was immersed from the water and was seen in broad daylight. And with a loud cry, the creature cried out “Danger Woman!” Wouldn’t you believe it, it was Molly Cunningham.
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No to be continued bumper because I'm gonna start working on editing and finishing the story. Just give me some constructive criticism, and I'll be set.
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