Baloo and Kit smiled as they flew through the cliffs of the cape, they where returning from a trip from Thembria, and for once where on time. As they landed at the Higher for Hire docks Kit smiled as he looked at Baloo who was smiling ear to ear. “Oh just wait until Becky sees us walk in she wont know what to say.” Baloo said, as he looked at Kit. “On time and everything.” Once inside the office of Higher for hire, Rebecca stood up and glared at the two.

“Where have you been.” Rebecca said, getting a stunned look from both Baloo and Kit. “This beats all Baloo, I mean what is it going to be this time Air pirates, Thembria law, time warp, flying saucers, Ghost ships.” Rebecca said, as she walked out from behind her desk and up to the two who where still stunned. “What ever it is, maybe you should get attacked by it a little more often.” Rebecca added as she smiled at her flight crew. “On time for once, what happened Louis burn down?” It took a moment for both Kit and Baloo to realized that Rebecca was playing with them, and got a smile from Kit, but not Baloo.

“Now that’s a mean thing to say Becky… Louie loves you so much.” Baloo said, as he took his hat off and started to make a kissing noise. Prompting a snicker from Kit, but getting Rebecca to grab his ear. “OW!! hey Becky come on lay off.” Baloo said, as he looked at Rebecca.

“What was that Baloo? something about saying your sorry?” Rebecca said, as she smiled at Baloo.

“O.K., O.K. I’m sorry.” Baloo said, as he looked at Rebecca. As Rebecca let Baloo go he rubbed his sore ear and smiled at he looked at Rebecca. This only got Kit to smile as he looked at the two adult, in the past month since the return of Molly he had noticed something between the two, Baloo seemed more willing to listen to Rebecca, as well as Rebecca didn’t seem to complain about everything Baloo did, and there had been a few times that he had noticed the two alone.

“And this just inn folks, it seems that the Ghost is at it again, this time breaking up an early morning bank robbery.” The Radio said, getting the attention of the 3 bears. “It’s been a month since this ghostly figure appeared in are fair city, and in that short period of time he has made a name for him self, so far this brings his tally up to 4 bank robbers, 2 burning building saves, 1 run away car incident, and let’s not forget how he is bringing cooked cops to justice.” the announcer said, as the three listened. “What do you think Mark?”

“I think his name fits, almost all of them swear they shot this person but he kept coming, and the fact that many people swear they’ve seen him flying around the city roof tops, as well as the street, this person has to be a real ghost.”

“Oh come on Mark, a real ghost.”

“Real or not, he’s gotten the citizens attention, as well as the attention of the criminals of the city, You said it your self it’s only been a month and I’ve already started seeing some toy stores selling cheaply made stuffed Ghost toys. give him another month and he might get his own radio program.”

“Might even give Danger woman a run for her money.”

“Might, but right now I’m wondering what’s driving this person, I mean why is he doing this, and why are city.” just then Rebecca turned off the radio and looked at it as if she was concerned about the news, then turned to Baloo.

“Right you have one more delivery today, and I think you’ll like this one.” Rebecca said, as she held up the clip board.

“Ah come on Becky can’t we get a break.” Baloo whined, as he flopped into his arm chair.

“Baloo look at the clip board.” Ignoring Rebecca, Baloo handed the board to Kit.

“ I mean we’re on time, can we at least get a bite to eat.” As Baloo complain, Rebecca leaned up against her desk and crossed her arms, as she watched Kit looking at the manifest, after a few minutes the young navigator tugged on Baloo’s arm getting his attention as he held the manifest up to Baloo’s face. “What is it li’l britches?” Baloo looked at the shipping list then smiled as he saw the place he had to drop off the cargo. “Well I guess work is work, and we really can’t put it off now can we Kit.” with that Baloo stood up and left leaving Kit and Rebecca smiling.

“Tell him that since this is the last job for today he can have fun their, I’m heading home once I’m done with these papers.” with that Rebecca walked up to Kit and smiled as she opened the door. “Have a good afternoon Kit, and try to keep him out of trouble.” with that nodded and left the office. Once outside Kit could hear the radio being turned back on in the office.

“No I’m telling you this person is just want the police need to get the criminal element out of the city, I mean look at all the laws that protect criminals now a days.”

“Oh come on mark, I’m not going to argue with you that the Ghost is doing a heck of a job out there, but the sad truth is that right now the police are looking to stop him.”

“The good cops or the bad cops, as we have seen are finest are un corruptible, what was that last cooked cop busted for?”

“I can’t say that over the radio and you know it, but the cops are looking to stop him because he’s endangering his own life.”

“Why does it have to be a he, it could be a she under that mask.”

“I think you’ve been listening to Danger woman one to many times with your daughter Mark.” Kit snickered slightly as he headed for the Sea Duck. Several hours later Baloo landed at Louis and smiled, as he headed inside followed by Kit.

“Hey Cuz, been a while, what will it be?” Louie asked, as he looked at Baloo.

“Let me have one of those Krakatau specials.” Baloo said, as he looked at Louie, as Kit sat down beside him.

“And your signature.” Kit said, as he held out a manifest.

“No problem Cuz.” As Louie started to fix his Baloo’s ice cream he signed his name to the manifest and then smiled as he looked at Kit. “What about you little cuz.” Louie asked, as he looked at Kit who didn’t really seem very interested in anything. “Hey space ace you there?” Louie asked, getting Kit to shake his head as if he was snapping out of deep thought. “Hey man what’s up.” Louie asked, as he looked at Kit and saw Baloo turning his attention to his navigator.

“Uh nothing Louie, just had my mind some where else.”

“Some where else?… why don’t you tell Louie about this some where else, must be pretty swinging if your mind wants to be there and not here.” with that Kit smiled, and shook his head.

“Nah no place is better then here Louie, just been thinking about a few things that’s all.” with that Louie nodded and then slide Kit a Krakatau special.

“Eat up cuz.” Louie smiled as Kit, and then turned up the radio.

“We have just gotten a special report folks, seems the Ghost is already on the prowl tonight, there have been reports flooding in about a lone figure stopping a run away trolley, seems the cable broke on the trolley, and it started to role down hill out of control, in response a lone figure… ran up to the trolley and stopped it by,… are we sure these sources are reliable?… alright well folks according to the reports the figure slimed the wheels of the trolley and it slowed down to a stop.” as Louie listened in, he smiled as he looked at Baloo.

“What you think about that cuz, you got your self a real life comic book hero in your city.” Louie laughed as he shook his head.

“Don’t laugh Louie, the kid is doing good out there, he helped us save Molly a while back.” Louie stopped cleaning a glass and set it down getting a stern look on his face.

“Yeah don’t remind me, you four came over the next day and filled me in on everything… You ever hear what happened to that sludge banana.”

“Not yet the trial hasn’t happened.”

“Yeah well he better not think about stepping in my place again, I got a special place for him if he does.” Louie said, as he pointed to the ejection boat. “And that’ll be if I’m feeling nice that day.” with that Baloo nodded and then slammed his right fist into his left palm.

“Yeah well if he does keep him in here for me I want to escort him to his special seat personally.” with that Louie nodded, and the two friends shook on it. As the night went on Louie kept the radio on and as the party started to swing, Kit sat next to it, each time a special report came on he glared as he heard about yet another thing Shade had done, under his new identity. The anger had been growing for a while, not only had Rebecca been listening to these reports, as well as Louie who normally only turned on the radio when his band was out, but his friends at school didn’t stop talking about Shade, heck even at the school on the play ground kids had started to play a game of cops, robbers, and ghost. On his way to and from school Kit hand noticed that most of the stores had something to do with ghost, or something that meant ghost, even a toy store where he normally bought models from had started to carry Ghost action figures, thought they didn’t look anything like Shade, it was just getting to be to much. The final straw was when Kit babysat Molly the weekend before, he had arrived early with Baloo so that they wouldn’t be late, thought Baloo shocked him by not arguing that much going to the Cunningham apartment, but after the adults left Molly started to talk about Shade, and kept telling Kit over, and over, on how Shade had tricked Coldhands many times before getting her back home safe and sound. That night Kit tossed and turned in his sleep, he was having a nightmare that he couldn’t seem to wake up from.

********

Kit’s nightmare

********

Kit woke up and headed down stairs where he found Mrs. Cunningham already at her desk. “Miss Cunningham you’re here early.” Kit stated, as he walked down and looked at his watch making sure he wasn’t late for school. There was no response from Rebecca as she kept paying attention to paperwork. “Uh Miss Cunningham.” Kit looked at Rebecca and then shrugged as he walked past her and got some toast. As he walked out he found Baloo walking into the office from the dock. “Morning Pa-pa bear.” there came no response from Baloo as he walked past and looked at Rebecca.

“Hey Becky got that cargo loaded and ready to go.”

“Alright, just come back as soon as you drop it off.” As Baloo smiled at Rebecca he turned to leave when the radio keyed up.

“Well folks welcome to the Ghost network, all Ghost all the time, last night during the pirate attack are hero the Ghost not only fought off the pirates that landed on the ground but took out the planes that where launched to bring him down, after that he not only that he was able to bring down the dreaded Iron Vulture once and for all.” the announcer said, as kit looked at the Radio not able to believe the long string of things that he heard, just then the door swung open and the room was filled with flash bulbs going off as Shade walked into the office.

“Hey kid.” Shade said, as he walked past Kit and up to Rebecca. “Hey mom what’s up.”

“Mom!?” Kit was completely shocked as he looked at Shade, then at Rebecca.

“Yeah she is my mom, remember a few days ago when she adopted me.”

“SHE WHAT!?” Kit was stunned as he looked at the three.

“Adopted him, man Kit what’s gotten into you?” Baloo asked, as he looked at Kit. “The next thing you’ll tell me is that you forgot that me and Becky are married.” Kit’s jaw almost hit the floor as he looked at Baloo and Rebecca.

“That’s great Pa-pa bear.” with that Kit found him self being given a funny look from the others, Baloo then gritted his teeth and walked up to Kit grabbing his arm hard.

“Now listen, how many times have I told you to stop calling me that!” Baloo yelled, squeezing Kit’s arm hard, causing the young cub to wince in pain, and grab at Baloo’s hand.

“I’m sorry, please Baloo… your hurting me.” Kit looked up at Baloo with tears in his eyes, he then found him self pushed to the ground by the grown bear.

“Maybe you’ll remember this time.” Baloo said, as he walked back to Rebecca who leaned up against him.

“I thought you where smart Kit I guess I was wrong, one more mistake like that, and you’ll be fired. Is that understood?” Rebecca asked, as she looked at Kit sniffling on the floor.

“Y-yes ma-am.” Kit looked down at the floor unsure of what had happened to his life, what happened to his home, what happened to two most important people in his life. He then saw two boots stop just in front of him. As he looked up he found him self looking up at Shade smirking at him. Shade leaned down and looked Kit in the eyes.

“I’ve taken your home, I’ve taken your family.” Shade moved close to Kit’s ear and whispered in a cruel voice. “In short Cloudkicker, you’ve been replaced, so pack your things and go back to the streets where your belong.” those words hurt Kit more then anything, as Kit lowered his face and let a tear run down his face.

*************

As Kit sat up his breathing labored as tears started to stream down his face, he looked around the room for a few seconds and looked over at Baloo still asleep in his bed. As he looked at Baloo, fear started to fill his head as he got up and slowly walked over to Baloo still asleep. “P-pa-pa bear?” Kit said so soft that he could hardly hear it him self, as he rubbed his arm that Baloo had grabbed him in his dream wincing as he remembered how much pain Baloo’s dream self delivered. As Kit swallowed his fear and put a hand on Baloo’s shoulder he said louder. “Pa-pa bear?” the big bear shifted slightly, and slowly opened his eyes to Kit.

“Wh (*yawn*) what’s up li’l britches.” Just hearing Baloo call him by his nickname brought a smile to Kit’s face. “Kit what is it?” Baloo asked, as he sat up looking at how Kit held his arm. “Did you hurt your self.” As Baloo started to look at Kit’s arm finding nothing wrong he looked at Kit’s face confused by what was going on.

“Pa-pa bear.” Kit said, getting Baloo to look at him and smile slightly.

“Kit what’s going on? If this is supposed to be some kind of joke I don’t get it.” The next thing Baloo knew was Kit wrapped his arms around Baloo’s neck who wrapped his arms around Kit not really knowing what was wrong, but as he felt a tear hit his shoulder, he only figured that Kit had a terrible dream and needed to be comforted. “It’s O.K. Li’l britches ol’ Pa-pa bear is here.” minutes passed the two stopped hugging and Baloo smiled at Kit. “Now ya want to tell me what this is all about.” Baloo smiled at Kit and the young cub nodded as he sat on Baloo’s lap.

The next morning Kit came bounding down the steps smiling as he reached the floor, but his smile soon vanished as he saw Rebecca sitting at her desk, and his nightmare from the night before haunted his memory. “G-good morning Miss Cunningham.” Rebecca looked up at Kit, she had never heard Kit sound this nervous around her before, even when she scolded him.

“Morning Kit, ready for school?”

“Y-yes ma-am.” Kit walked into the kitchen and came out a few minutes later looking at her still slightly nervous.

“Have a nice day.” Rebecca said, as she watched Kit grab his books and leave the office. Moments later Baloo came down the stairs looking at Rebecca, holding his hat in his hands.

“Becky I think we need to talk about something.” Baloo said, as he sat down and placed his hat on Rebecca’s desk. “Becky have you heard anything about those custody papers?” Rebecca smiled at Baloo and reached into her lower drawer and pulled out form and set it on the desk.

“We got it today, we are now Kit’s legal guardians.” Rebecca said, with a big smile on her face. Baloo smiled and then put his hand on the document and smiled at Rebecca.

“That’s great… uh Becky, there is something else I want to ask you now.” Baloo thought for a few moments and then opened his mouth. “Want to go shopping today?” This wasn’t what Baloo wanted to say, but it was the only thing that came out. Rebecca gave Baloo a funny look and then smiled as she looked at the schedule for the day.

“Well the first shipment for the day isn’t due to arrive until 3 this afternoon, so sure if you want to.” Baloo found him self stuck as he looked at Rebecca and then nodded. When Kit came back that afternoon he found the office empty, except for a few bags sitting behind Rebecca’s desk. As well as a new plant on her desk. The planet was small round, with a bright pink flowers covering it, each one with white streaks across them, looking as if they where heading right into the center of the flower. “Wow, that looks neat.” As Kit started to examine the new planet, that he had never seen before, until he reached to lift up one of the flowers up. “OW!” something came flying out from under the flower and stuck Kit in the cheek, as he reached up and pulled out a needle he looked at the planet and backed away from it, not wanting to get stuck again.

An hour later Kit was walking around the streets up the city looking around, trying to find something, it was while doing this that he failed to notice that he had wandered into the center of the street, only to get woken up when a horn from an oncoming truck blared near him, As he turned and looked at the truck he was stuck like a deer hit with headlights, he could almost feel the truck hitting him when he was quickly tackled with so much force that he was knocked out of the street and into an ally. As Kit shook his head from the impact he looked up from the ground and saw Shade dressed up as the Ghost holding out a hand to him.

“Are you alright?” Shade asked, as he looked at Kit who instead of taking his hand jumped tackled Shade to the ground, who countered by kicking Kit off of him and them jumping to his feet. “Alright, is there a reason you just tried to tackle me?” Kit didn’t say anything he just looked up at Shade and started to fight, but as he through fist, Shade dodged the blows. But as he did this he looked into Kit’s eyes and could see that they where slightly glazed over with what looked like a milky substance. “Kit listen to me, stop fighting me for a minute, we need to talk, I need to know about a plant.” Shade let his guard down slightly and Kit landed a blow across Shade’s left cheek, getting Shade to deliver a devastating blow into Kit’s gut getting him to double over gasping for air. As Shade stood over Kit he rubbed his face and then back fisted Kit across the face knocking him out. Three hours later Rebecca and Baloo came walking into higher for hire laughing with one another only to stop when they saw Shade standing over Kit on the office floor, both looked at the scene and looked at Shade. Before Shade could say anything Baloo stormed over to Shade and grabbed him by the shirt, lifted him off to the ground, and pinned him to a wall.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY BOY!?” Baloo yelled, as Rebecca ran up and grabbed his arm.

“Baloo put him down.” Baloo looked down at Rebecca torn, wanting to make her happy but not if it meant letting the person that hurt Kit get away. But then Baloo watched as Shade held out his left arm, and from the cuff just over his hand a blade extended out.

“Put me down, or be put down, your choice.” Shade’s voice was cold, as he glared at Baloo.

“Fine.” with that Baloo let go of Shade letting him drop to the floor.

“Now if your willing to listen, your son has been drugged.” Baloo took his hat off and started to twist it up in his hands as he looked at Rebecca who was next to Kit.

“Who did it, just point the dirt ball to me and I’ll.”

“You both did it.” with that both Rebecca and Baloo turned to Shade who was looking at both of them.

“What do you mean we did it, we would never hurt Kit.” Baloo said, through gritted teeth, as he glared at Shade.

“How long have you had that plant?” Shade asked, as he pointed to the new planet on Rebecca’s desk.

“Today why.” Rebecca answered as she looked at the plant.

“That’s a Cundarian fey dart plant.” Shade said, as he looked at Rebecca. “It’s very Toxic, but since Kit is only showing the first sign of the poison it means that we have about 24 hours to get the cure to him. Now someone tell me where that thing came from.”

“It was in a flower shop on 78^th street, I saw it and thought it was lovely.” Rebecca started, as she looked at Shade.

“And I bought it for her.” Baloo said, as he slumped down slightly and picked Kit up and held the boy in his arms.

“Did the owner tell you anything about the plant?” Shade asked, as he looked at the plant and then turned around, and looked at Baloo. The grown bear was holding Kit in his arms, looking at a lose for words as he looked down at Kit. As Shade saw the sorrow in the big bears eyes and the loving nature that Rebecca was watching over Kit even in Baloo’s arms, Shade calmed slightly as he walked up to the adults.

“We don’t have much time, we need to get the cure.” His voice was calm and full of sorrow at the same time, not looking at the adults at all only at the door to the docks.

“Alright will take him to the hospital.” Rebecca said, as she started to head for the door.

“Not a chance, the plant is rare, and by the time they make a cure from it, it’ll be to late, we need to get a cure from the Prorror planet on Cundarian Island.” with that Baloo and Rebecca both looked at Shade, who was now looking up at them.

“Cundarian Island? I’ve never heard of it.” Baloo said, as he looked at Shade who shook his head.

“No wonder, it’s a very small island. If we go right now we should be able to fix this before it’s to late.”

“Hold on a minute what do you mean we?” Rebecca asked, as she looked at Shade. “Kit is in no condition to travel.”

“It’s ether he comes with us, or we get the cure, and risk not making it back in time.” Rebecca looked at Kit and then at Shade trusting that he knew what he was talking about and not willing to risk Kit’s life. After she sent Wildcat to go watch Molly, and send the babysitter home. The four where in the Sea Duck, Rebecca sat in the navigator seat holding Kit rocking him back and forth as he started to mumble.

“Shade what’s happening to him?” As Shade turned to Rebecca and started to look at kit in her arms, listening to him mumble Shade reached up and opened one of Kit’s eyes showing Rebecca that it was filled with a milky white substance, as Shade let go of Kit’s eyelid he whipped his hands off on his cloths. “What… What happened to his eyes?” Rebecca asked, a new look of terror on her face as she looked at Shade

“The natives on the island call it the sight of the dead.” Shade explained, as he walked back to a map and started to look at it.

“WHAT!?” both adults yelled, at the same time.

“Don’t worry he’s not dead yet, it’s just a substance that glazes his eyes, if we get him the cure in time then it’ll go away.” As Shade kept explaining things, as if they where nothing, Baloo gripped the yoke harder and harder, getting more and more irritated as how Shade was showing no kind of emotion to the situation at hand.

“What do you mean in time?” Rebecca asked, as she held Kit close and started to shed a tear. Shade didn’t answer as he kept working on the map. “Shade?” Rebecca turned and looked at Shade looking over the map, still not responding to her question. “Shade what do you mean by “in time“?” There was no response from Shade yet again.

“ANSWER HER!!” Baloo yelled, as he looked over his shoulder at Shade looking at the map. Shade stopped what he was doing and looked at Baloo, then at Rebecca.

“There will be no damage done, if we are able to get the cure to him in 24 hours. If we fail to get the cure to him he dies, I’m being silent about this because you don’t want to know what will happen when the toxins kick into their full acidic form.” with that Shade got up and stepped beside Rebecca handing her a piece of paper, and then looked at Baloo. “Once you clear the cliffs sir. Adjust to these setting, in four hours call me back up sir.” with those words Shade walked out of the cockpit and slammed the door behind him getting Baloo to grit his teeth slightly. As they flew out of the cliffs, Baloo made the corrections that where on the paper, four hours later he called Shade back to the cockpit. Once inside Shade looked around and pointed at a point on the island. “We need to land on the right hand side of the island and make are way inward to meet the natives.”

“What?… Why?” Baloo asked, looked at Shade.

“Because it’s their land and we need their permission to walk in it.”

“We don’t have time for that, we need to get to the plant of yours and get that cure to Kit.” Shade lowered his arm, and then turned to Baloo.

“We do it my way sir, or you can take your chances of trying to survive the forest while both the natives and the plants are trying to kill you… sir.” As the plane landed, Baloo got out and Shade was about to follow when he saw Rebecca coming up to him. “Your not coming.”

“I most certainly am, Kit’s my responsibility as well, and I’m not just going to sit by and do nothing.” Rebecca argued only getting Shade to clinch his fist slightly. “Oh don’t you dare think that’s going to change anything young man.”

“Fine, but at least put another blanket on Kit, this place does get cold.” Rebecca smiled, as she knew she had gotten her way, and when Rebecca Cunningham wants something she gets it. Ten minutes later Shade jumped out of the Sea Duck and closed the door behind him. As he walked past Baloo the big bear looked at him funny then at the plane.

“Isn’t Becky coming?”

“I had a nice talk with her and she agreed to remain behind to look after Kit.” Shade explained, and the two started to head off into the woods, Baloo following Shade. While back in the Sea Duck, Rebecca lay on the floor with a small pin in her arm and a folded up note in her hand.

“Alright kid talk.” Baloo said, as he kept looking at Shade who said nothing in return. “Say something.”

“Something.” the one word response only irritated Baloo as he looked at Shade.

“You know what I mean, kid.” no response again. “Alright kid, if your not going to say anything then I am, your starting to really tick me off. I like Rebecca a lot, and the only reason I haven’t slapped you yet is because she likes you.”

“And Kit is hurt.” Shade interjected, as he kept pushing forward.

“That to, but if you hadn’t noticed it yet, she cares about you.”

“I noticed.” Shades words where cold, as he stopped at the top of a hill and looked down at Baloo. His eyes where cold and cruel as he looked at the grown bear, Baloo had only seen that look a few times, mostly from his father after the great war ended, he was always scared that he had done something wrong until then his father explained that it was a look that most soldiers get, or people that had lost a lot in life, but even as Baloo looking into those eyes he still wanted answers he wanted to know what was going on.

“Heck then why are your treating us this way, I mean I get the hole tough guy act in the streets, but we’re trying to be your friends, and you’ve given us nothing but the cold shoulder since this all started.”

“I have my reasons, one of them is to protect you.”

“Protect us… we wouldn’t need protection if you stopped doing your Ghost stuff, heck you could come stay at Higher for hire if you would let us take you in.”

“Which I wont.” Shade looked out at a valley and waited as Baloo climbed up beside him.

“Why not?” Shade didn’t answer, as he started to head into the forest only to be grabbed by Baloo and pulled back.

“Listen if we’re going to work together on this, your going to have to talk to me.” Shade’s eyes narrowed and his brow furled as he looked at Baloo.

“Fine we’ll talk.” a smile crossed Baloo’s face as he looked at Shade, finally he was starting to get through to this kid. “I hear the Socks are doing pretty good in the play offs.” Shade said, as Baloo let him go, and he started to walk away again.

“Yeah so.” Shade looked back at Baloo and smiled slightly.

“You said you wanted to talk, so I’m talking.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

“That I do.” Baloo gritted his teeth knowing that Shade was still being evasive with him.

“Alright then, explain to me why you helped Molly?”

“She was in trouble.”

“That the only reason?”

“Yes.”

“Alright then tell me why your helping Kit right now.”

“He’s dying, if your trying to get me to admit that I care about you people in any way then you might as well stop that exercise in futility.” Shade stopped dead in his tracks and held up his hand to Baloo. “We stop here.”

“What?… why?” Baloo passed Shade and kept going only to have three spears land in front of him.

“Because we don’t want to make the Eskan’s angry, you wouldn‘t like them angry Baloo.” Shade said, as he looked at Baloo. “Do what I tell you, get to your knees and put your forehead on the ground.” Baloo gulped and did what he was told. As Shade knelt down on one knee and started to make clicking noises with his mouth, once he stopped a few moments past, and there came another clicking sound from a distance. As Shade seem to be communicating with someone out of sight Baloo kept to his position and waited until Shade gave him some instructions. “I’ve just told them why we have come, they agree to allow us to walk through their forest, but one of us has to take a test.” Shade said, as he stood up and looked at Baloo staying put.

“I’ll do anything for Kit, tell them that.” Baloo said, as he looked at Shade standing behind him. “Can I stand up yet?”

“In that order, I’ve already told them, and you might not want to get up just yet.” Shade said, as he reached for his wrist guard, pulled out a needle, and looked at Baloo.

“So what is this test?”

“A test to join their tribe, and don’t worry Baloo you wont have to go through it.”

“WHAT!?” Baloo screamed out as he felt a sharp prick in his hind quarters, only to fall into a deep sleep.

(Sea Duck)

Rebecca slowly woke up, in the floor of the Sea Duck, at the sound of Kit sobbing, as she slowly got off the floor she found the needle in her arm and crushed the paper in her hand even more. “That little… I’m going to give him a piece of my mind when they get back.” with that Rebecca pulled the needle out of her arm and put it to one side to make sure she didn’t get stuck again. She then turned to Kit who was laying on the bottom bunk and sobbing. “Kit sweetie what’s wrong?” Rebecca asked, as she looked at Kit, knowing full well what was wrong.

“My mommy.” Kit’s voice was weak and childish, Rebecca had never seen him this way before. Rebecca then looked down at the paper in her hand and opened it up.

“Ma-am Kit will be going through several stages during this toxins course, first it make him relive the hurt from the past, then the fear of the present, and finally the hate of the future. There is a minor way to hold off these stages, you have to talk to him, you have to make him happy, find what will make him happy and say or do it. As long as Kit’s happy and he hears the sound of a comforting voice then it will force out the nightmares he’s going to be living.”

As Rebecca read the note she put it to one side and knelt down next to Kit. “Honey I’m right here.”

“Mommy?” Kit said smiling slightly.

“It’s Rebecca, Kit I’m right here.” Kit pulled his knees to his chest and started to cry slightly.

“I want my mommy, where is my mommy.” As kit started to cry Rebecca slapped her head slightly remembering what Shade wrote in the letter, as she sat down on the bed she pulled Kit into her lap and held him close. She still remembered how she had caught Kit watching how she treated Molly the first night she had came to his life, as she held him close she started to hum a little song. As Rebecca hummed her song, she smiled to see Kit smiling in her arms. “I’ll always be here for you Kit, no matter what.” As Rebecca looked at the peaceful look on Kit’s face Rebecca looked out the window at the night sky, the stars where out and as she swallowed hard, she whispered faintly wishing on everyone of the stars. “Please Baloo hurry.”

(back in the forest.)

Baloo was woken up from his sleep when smelling salts got waved under his nose, as he opened his eyes he looked at Shade who smiled at him weakly. “Time to wake up.” In a flash Baloo grabbed Shade by the shirt and pulled him close bearing his teeth.

“You drugged me.”

“The test is done, we need to go.” with that Baloo let go of Shade and stood up. After the information sank in Baloo looked at Shade, slightly annoyed.

“You see that’s what I’m talking about.”

“What?”

“Well what I was talking about, you decided what was going to happen even before we talked about it, heck you might have had it decided a long time ago.”

“I did.” Shade said, slightly annoyed as he watched Baloo moving on ahead. “Slow down I have to guide you or your going to.” Before Shade could finish what he was Saying Baloo was engulfed in a plant flower.

“HEY GET ME OUT OF HERE!!” Baloo struggled but the plant’s vines started to wrap around the flower and started to squeeze.

“Stop fighting so much, this is a constrictor plant, it’ll squeeze the life out of you if you keep fighting.”

“And if I stop fighting.” Baloo asked, as he stopped for a moment looking around the plant walls.

“How about you just listen to me and not know what else might happen?”

“TELL ME NOW!!” Shade stopped for a moment and Baloo’s outburst and signed as he shook his head.

“You’ll slowly be digested by the plant, as it secrets acid inside that pod your in.” Shade said, as he slowly moved up to the plant finding it hard to walk or move.

“WHAT!?” Baloo started try and get free once more only to get the life squeezed from him more from the plant. “Get me out of this thing.”

“Then do what I tell you, and stop fighting the plant.” Shade was getting annoyed as he finally found what he was looking for and started to follow a vine going across the ground.

“But you just said.”

“STOP FIGHTING THE PLANT OR YOUR GOING TO DIE TINO!” Baloo stopped for a moment and then felt the vines loosen as it sounded like the planet it self was laughing. After a few minutes the pedals lowered and Baloo walked out, as he looked around he found Shade standing over near a tree flicking a little flower bud in the distance. “Come on we have to keep moving.” Shade said, as he stood up and started to walk away. Baloo noticed that Shade was walking differently as if he was limping slightly, but trying to walk fast.

“Hey kid, who is Tino?” Shade stopped for a moment and then started to walk on. “Hey aren’t you going to answer me?”

“We have a deadline Baloo, we have to get that cure before it’s to late.” Baloo understood by the sound of Shade’s voice that he didn’t want to talk about it.

“Listen kid… Rebecca likes you a lot.”

“We’ve covered this conversation Baloo, your not taking me in, I’m not going to join your family and that’s final.”

“Fine but at least stop with this Ghost stuff, I’ll admit it’s kind of interesting the things you’ve done, some times, but your going to get your self hurt worst then before.”

“A price I’m willing to pay.” Shade said, as he kept going, and Baloo stopped and took a deep sign.

“Is that the price Tino paid?” Shade stopped dead in his tracks and clinched his fist, as he heard the big bear coming closer. “Listen I don’t know.” Baloo tried to put a comforting hand on Shade’s shoulder only to have the wolf cub knock it away, as he started to walk on.

“Tino Insana, Professor Tino Insana, he studied plants. He came here because Cundarian island is filled with a rare bread of plants.”

“Alright so he was a smart guy… what happened?”

“He was teaching me about these plants, I was kind of his assistant, on this trip.”

“So what happened?”

“We where going on are third month here when Tino walked into the same kind of planet that you did… Tino was very claustrophobic, and he didn’t stop struggling. No matter what I did I couldn’t get the plant to let go of him.” Shade stopped and looked back at Baloo and the big bear could see tears building up in the young pups eyes. “I failed to help him, and he’s dead because of that.”

“Now hold on, you can’t blame your self for that.” As Baloo walked up to Shade he looked down at him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder, getting Shade to wince slightly. “Listen I don’t know what happened in the past, but you’ve helped a lot of other people out as the Ghost, don’t you think it’s time to give it up? I mean before you get your self killed.” Shade looked up at Baloo, and then at his hand, and after taking a deep breath he looked down at his feet as if beaten.

“I’m tired Baloo, and I need you to listen to me.”

“About what?” with that Shade pushed Baloo’s hand on his shoulder still keeping his gaze towards the ground.

“Please Baloo, when this is over, when Kit is well and we’re all back in the city, please stop trying to get close to me, stop trying to be my friend, I don’t want anyone else hurt because of me.” As shade spoke these words he turned his back on Baloo, and started to walk away from the big bear, leaving him stunned at what had just happened. As he watched Shade push on he could tell that the pup was bothered by something, both physically and mentally.

“Was it something I said?”

(Sea Duck)

Rebecca had wrapped Kit in a blanket, and was holding him in her lap, she could feel the tears started to stream down her face, time was running out and she knew it. It had been hours and nether Baloo or Shade had come back, making her wondering if they had gotten hurt in the forest.

***************

Fear of the present

***************

Kit Walked into Higher for hire from another day of school smiling as he held a test paper in his hand with an A+ on it. It was like any normal dream it was a great day for him as he walked into the building and saw Rebecca and Baloo smiling. “There’s are Ace.” Baloo said, as he smiled towards Kit.

“Yep are brave little man.” Rebecca said, as she knelt down and held her arms out towards Kit, and as Kit started to run into her arms. Shade walked past him and excepted the hug causing Kit to stop in his tracks as the two adults huddled around Shade. “That’s what I’ve been missing all day a good huge from my son.” As Rebecca looked up at Kit a scowl came across her face as she glared at him. “Baloo he’s back.” with those words Kit noticed that his cloths had changed, they where torn and tattered his hat was missing and his hand were covered in filth.

“Pa-pa bear what’s going on?” As Kit said these words, Baloo stomped forward and back handed him sending the cub slamming into the railing next to the bay. As Kit stood up rubbing his face he was about to say something when Baloo grabbed him by the throat and held him out over the bay.

“HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT!! YOUR NOT MY SON!!! “ These words hurt more than the grip around his throat.

“Please Baloo your hurting me.”

“Good then maybe next time you’ll remember that you where fired, and told to keep that grubby mug of yours away from my plane, my family and are home.” with that Baloo let Kit fall into the bay, as he came up sputtering water he slowly swam over to the ladder and started to climb up but stopped when his hand touch the top rung and Rebecca stepped on it.

“Now you listen good this time, you worthless little street rat, if you ever come near my business again and scare of any of my customers you wont have to worry about your future because it’ll be over then and there.” with that Rebecca kicked Kit in the face sending him back into the bay causing him to come up sputtering again, tears streaming down his face as he swam for the shore only to find Shade standing there waiting for him.

“YOU!” Kit lunged at Shade only to pass through him and get a mouth full of sand.

“Get use to it kid, I’m better then you, You’ve been tested, scored, and be found unsatisfactory by them. You’ve been replaced, get use to it and stay away from my new family.” with that Rebecca walked up behind Shade as he stood up and looked down at him. “She’s abandoned you Cloudkicker, she doesn’t want you, she never real did want you.”

***********************************

“Why did you leave me?” Kit asked, still mumbling slightly in his sleep.

“I didn’t leave you sweetie I would never leave you.”

“you threw me out of higher for hire.”

“I didn’t, I swear, I would never do such a thing.” Rebecca knew that Kit was having bad dreams but these where hurtful to her, as she listened to him rambling on about what she was doing in his dreams, she held him closer and hugged even tighter hopping that it would stop the nightmares.

“W-why did you abandon me?” That was the final straw, as Rebecca stood up holding Kit in her arms she went to a hiding place that her and Baloo had put the custody papers. As she sat back down she held Kit up slightly and uncovered his arms. “Kit, Me, and Baloo were going to wait to tell you, I know you can’t see it but just feel this.” Rebecca said, as she put the custody papers in Kit’s arms. “This paper says that me and Baloo have custody over you, we are your guardians.” Kit’s arms moved around the paper and pulled it close to his chest. “And right after we’re married.”

“M-married?” The good news was forcing Kit’s nightmares back, his heart was beating he was smiling as Rebecca held him close.

“That’s right honey married, Baloo proposed to me this at lunch today, he even paid for the meal. You should have seen the big knuckle head stumbling over his words.” Rebecca shed some tears as she wrapped Kit back up with the paper still held in his arms. “I want you to listen to me Kit, once me and Baloo get married I promise you that we’ll adopt you, and you’ll have a proper family again, nothing is going to change that, but for right now we have to wait until Shade.” the smile vanished from Kit’s face at the mentioning of Shade’s name.

“He’s going to take you from me.” Kit said, as he leaned up against Rebecca and curled up letting her hold him closer. “He’s going to turn you on me.”

“No Kit never, he could never do that.” Rebecca said, as she held Kit close and rocked slightly. “I need you to listen to me, please I’ll never stop loving you, you’ve been such a joy in my life I could never stop loving you, and there is nothing Shade could do that would ever turn me against you.”

“He’ll make a helmet that will brain wash you, or a gas that will hypnotize you, or a dart that will control your every move.” Rebecca couldn’t help but smiled as she looked at Kit, as he listed off all the things he thought Shade was capable of.

“Don’t be silly, and even if he tried it, you my future son, would always be there to save us. Kit Cloudkicker, the smartest, sweetest, and most loveable boy I know. If Shade tried all those things I would always know that you would find away to free us.” Rebecca said, praising Kit and getting a smile from him. “And even if he didn’t there is no way that he could change the way I feel about you Kit.” as Rebecca rubbed her cheek against Kit’s a tear fell from her eyes onto his face.

“I love you… mom.” Kit whispered faintly, as Rebecca hugged him. As the good feeling held on Kit’s nightmares remained at bay, Rebecca only hopped that they would stay away long enough for Shade and Baloo to get back with the cure.

“Please hurry Baloo, are little boy needs your help.” Rebecca whimpered as she held Kit close, not knowing how much longer she could watch Kit suffer like this.

(Back in the forest)

As Shade stumbles to the ground Baloo walks up behind him and helps him back to his feet, hearing the young pup breathing heavy Baloo started to get concerned, about the way Shade had been acting as of late. “You alright kiddo?” Shade looked at Baloo and smiled weakly.

“Nothing I can’t handle.” with that Baloo nodded and then watched as Shade started to press on.

“Listen I know where helping Kit, but it’s not going to do me any good if you pass out, why don’t you take a breather, we can rest for five minutes and then keep going.” Shade shook his head and kept walking onward. “I’m telling you, you need to rest.”

“I’ll rest when I’m dead, until then I fight. Now save your strength and just keep walking, the plant is just past this cliff.” As Baloo was about to say something he stopped as he walked up and looked down the side of a cliff just below it was an old temple, void of any plant life.

“How are we going to get down there, and where is the plant?”

“In the temple.”

“Oh well that’s good.”

“No that’s bad.” Shade said, as he walked away and left Baloo looking over the edge

“How is that bad?”

“Because surrounding that temple is a very deadly plant, that I don’t know how to stop, it’s kind of like a watch dog.” Shade looked at the vines near the edge and started to pull one down tying one end to a tree and then sitting down and tying another one to his right foot.

“Well great, that’s just great how are we going to get into the temple then?”

“Well how to get in, is that narrow opening at the top, you go through there and it’s a straight shot to the plant.” Baloo turned and looked at Shade who was walking away from the cliff.

“Hey how the heck are we supposed to get to that opening then?”

“WE DON’T!” Shade yelled, as he ran up and jumped off the edge of the cliff.

“ARE YOU INSANE!!” Baloo yelled, as he watched Shade speed towards the opening and then enter, once inside the vine went taunt and Baloo watched as it stretched thin and then started to recoil. “What in the world is going on.” As Baloo turned back to look at the temple he saw Shade in just enough time to catch the wolf cub sending both to the ground.

“Good catch.”

“Good catch… GOOD CATCH!! ARE YOU INSANE!?! YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN YOUR SELF KILLED!!” Baloo yelled, as he looked at Shade who bent down and started to untie the vine from around him ankle. “WHAT WHERE YOU THINKING!!” Baloo yelled again, this time pulling Shade to his feet, only to get Shade to hold up a hand full of berries, small green with purple dots all over them. “What is that?”

“The cure… now if your quite done yelling, we do still have a mission to complete.” with that Baloo gritted his teeth and let Shade go.

“We’re not done talking about this.” Shade rolled his eyes, and started to walk off. “You just don’t get it do you, that stunt, heck all of your stunts with your Ghost stuff is insane. Your completely loco.”

“And you didn’t complain when that helped Molly, now did you.” Shade snapped back, as he looked at Baloo. “Let’s make a deal Baloo, you live your life, I’ll live mine.”

“Now just a prop spinning minute, I’m not going to sit by and watch a kid get them selves killed.”

“For the last time Baloo and I do mean last. LEAVE ME ALONE!!” Shade was breathing hard as he looked at Baloo, he was in pain, he was hurt but he wasn’t about to tell Baloo this. He had been forcing him self forward ever since the trial, but he didn’t care knowing deep down that some one needed his help was the only thing that was pushing him on at this point. “Your not my father, and I don’t need one, I don’t need a mother, brother, or a sister, but most of all I DON’T NEED YOU!!” Once Shade spoke these words Baloo stiffened up slightly nodded and walked past him keeping his hat brim low so that Shade couldn’t see the look of hurt and anger in his eyes. As Baloo walked past him, Shade lowered his head, and let a solid tear drop. To him the words hurt more then what he had to go through on the trial, his heart felt like someone was sticking it with needles, as he spoke each word.

“Come on my son needs those berries.” Baloo said, as he looked back at Shade, only seeing Shade stand there in solidarity, and silence. “Shade?” Baloo didn’t know what was going on as he walked up slowly and put a paw on Shade’s shoulder only getting the wolf to turn away and head back towards the Sea Duck not saying a word. “Kid?” The pair made their way back through the forest and to the Sea Duck not speaking to one another, As they walked in Shade looked at Rebecca who was holding Kit in her arms.

“How is he?” Shade asked, and then watched as Kit started to struggle to get free.

“WHY DID YOU TAKE THEM FROM ME!!” Kit yelled, as he struggled to get free from Rebecca. Shade looked at the scene and only rolled his eyes as he walked up to Rebecca.

“Ma-am I need you to lay Kit down and hold him down.” Rebecca nodded, and soon found her self being helped up by Baloo and both adults held their future son as Shade started force on of Kit’s eyes open.

“I really don’t know what I’ve done to make you hate me Kit.”

“YOU TOOK THEM FROM ME YOU STOLE MY PARENTS FROM ME YOU SLIME!!” Kit yelled, as he tried to break free, only to be held down more by Baloo.

“I have no desire to do such a thing Cloudkicker.” As Shade spoke he held Kit’s head steady and started to use the juice of the berries as drops into his eyes causing Kit to scream out with each drop.

“What are you doing to him?” Baloo asked, as he looked at Shade hearing Kit scream out as Shade dropped the berries juice into Kit's eyes.

“Curing him, now please hold him down.” As Shade finished dropping the juice into Kit’s eyes, he put what was left of the berries into Kit’s mouth holding it shut, and massaging his under jaw, getting Kit to swallow. Once Shade let go of Kit’s mouth, Kit let out a steam of swear words cursing Shade, and his very breath, leaving Baloo stunned, and Rebecca blushing as she glared at Baloo.

“I didn’t teach him any of that, I swea…promise.” Baloo said, as he looked at Rebecca, who only looked at Shade standing over Kit.

“What are you waiting for finish curing him.” Rebecca said, as she looked at Shade who turned to her still fighting to hold Kit.

“He has been cured.” Shade said, coldly as he walked past the three, and went into the cockpit. Once there Shade sat down in the navigator seat and let sleep overtake him. His body was a hurt, his mind torn, on one hand he wouldn't mind being like Kit, haveing a loveing home, and people that would go to the ends of the earth for him, while on the other hand his past reminded him why he couldn't let that happen again.

As Rebecca looked at Baloo he looked down at Kit, both adults smiled to see that Kit’s eyes where back to normal, As Kit sat up he looked at both adults confused. His mind had started to come out of the haze caused by the dart, to him he had just woken up from a dream.

“What happened?” Kit asked, as he looked at Rebecca, and Baloo. As he unwrapped him self, a sheet of paper floated to his lap. “What’s this?” As Kit picked up the piece of paper, he started to read it, Baloo and Rebecca smiled as they saw a tears came to his eyes and a broad smile nearly reached ear to ear. “You’re my guardians?”

“Only for a short time Kit.” Baloo said, as he clasped Kit’s shoulder and smiled at him. “But once me and Becky get hitched, we’re going to make you are legal son.” The pride in Baloo’s voice wrote volume in Kit’s heart, as he hugged both of his future parents. As the three talked both Rebecca and Baloo sat on the bed and kept Kit between them. After a while Shade was woken up by the sound of the plane being started, getting him to look over at Baloo sitting in the pilot seat.

“I better get into the back.” with that Shade stood up and started to walk into the cargo area holding, not wanting to remain in the cockpit area because of discomfort.

“You saved my boy Shade… thank you.” Shade stopped at the door as he heard these words from Baloo, lowering his head slightly. “I meant what I said before, you should give up the Ghost and try and live a normal life before you get your self really hurt.” Shade looked over his shoulder at Baloo and then smiled slightly.

(One Week Later)

Rebecca smiled as she walked down the isles of a book store, she was looking for a book for Kit, hopping to find a book of ‘history of planes from around the world.’ As she turned a corner and started to look at the new row of book she ran across a title that made her smile slightly. ‘the lost tribe of the Cundarian island.’ As Rebecca pulled the book from the shelf, she opened the book and started to read the index. As she ran her finger down the list she found the title of a chapter that she was hopping was in the book. ‘Tribal induction test.’ As Rebecca flipped through the pages she stopped on the chapter.

“To be a member of the eskan tribe one must first prove that they would be able to survive the island, in doing so one must be able to endure the induction test, a test that is just as harsh and dangerous as the island it self, those that fail the test are put to death, those that pass the test I recommend resting for at least a week to let their bodies heal from what they are about to read.” The opening to the chapter didn’t make Rebecca feel very well, and as she kept reading she covered her mouth and sat down at a table. after only one paragraph she shut the book and set it to one side and looked out  a nearby window.

(2 hours later)

Rebecca walked into higher for hire and smiled as she looked at kit giving molly a piggy back ride, and Baloo keeping an eye on them sitting in his lazy chair. “Hey Beckers where you been.” Baloo asked, getting both children to look at Rebecca who.

“MOMMY!” As Kit let Molly down she ran up to her mother. “Missed you mommy.”

“I missed you to sweetie.” As Rebecca hugged Molly she smiled at Kit. “And just what do you think your doing young man.”

“Hu?” Rebecca smiled, as she looked at Kit’s shocked face.

“I want a hug from my little boy as well.” Rebecca held out her hand and motioned for kit to come in for a hug, as he did she smiled as she looked over his shoulder at Baloo. Once she had stopped hugging the children she stood up and looked at Baloo. “I just picked up a book today, some reading for Baloo.” with that Baloo rolled his eyes.

“ah come on Becky we aren’t even married yet and your already trying to change me?”

“I’ve been trying to change you for a year Baloo, and I still haven’t had any luck with that.” with that Rebecca handed Baloo a book marked with a book mark. “Trust me Baloo, you might want to know a little more about the island.” with that Baloo looked at the title of the book ‘the lost tribe of the Cundarian island.’

“Alright Becky I’ll read it.” with that Baloo opened the book only to have it closed by Rebecca who gave him a look that told him that he shouldn’t read it right then. Later that night the two adults sat in the office of Higher for hire, Rebecca leaned up against her desk as she looked at Baloo reading the book she had given him, as he reached the end of the chapter that was marked he closed the book with a solemn look on his face, as he stood up and looked at Rebecca he rubbed the back of his head, and neck, then set the book on the desk. As he turned to leave Rebecca started to follow only to be stopped when Baloo raised his hand slightly indicating to her that he needed to be alone for a little, as the information that he had read needed to sink in and the magnitude of what Shade had done truly hit him. A few hours later Baloo found him self walking down a street letting his feet just carry him anywhere, as a group of thugs ran past him screaming of a Ghost he started to speed up and saw Kit in just enough time helping a homeless lion off the ground.

“You know this section of town isn’t safe Leo, why don’t you go back and sleep at the shelter.”

“But they want to take my marbles.” it was clear the homeless man wasn’t all right in the head, but as Shade started to walk him away Baloo followed.

“Now listen Leo, you know as well as I do that these are good people that just want to give you a nice place to sleep right now, so you stay here for the night and let them help you.” with that the homeless lion nodded and walked into the shelter. As Shade turned to leave he found him self looking at Baloo who was starring at him with a lose for words. As Shade walked up and past Baloo the big bear cleared his throat slightly. “If your about to lecture me about taking my own advice, I have other things that prevent me from it.” Shade said, as he kept walking.

“I know about the test, I know what you did.” This time Shade stopped, as he looked over his shoulder at Baloo. “You knew what the test was, you knew what would happen to you, what they would do to you.” Baloo stated as he slowly turned and looked at Shade still standing with his back to him.

“Why? just… just tell me why you went through it.”

“Because Kit needed the cure.”

“You risk your neck for Molly, and you sacrificed your hide for Kit. Just reading what was in the book Becky gave me made me want to scream.” Shade’s ears lowered slightly as he turned his head away from Baloo.

“So she knows as well.”

“Yeah she’s the one who found the book. Kid your to young to do such things, you put your self thought something that I don‘t know to many adults could handle.” As Baloo spoke Shade ignored his words, knowing this speech all to well from those he had known in his past.

“What about Kit?”

“No… well not yet I’m debating if I should tell him or not.” Shade’s ears perked up slightly as he looked over his shoulder at Baloo.

“I’ll save you the debate… Don’t.”

“But.”

“Don’t tell him Baloo. Let this conversation end here, and now.” with that Shade started to walk away.

“Why didn‘t you tell us?” Baloo asked, as Shade got further and further away. “KID WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US!?” still no response from Shade as he vanished into the darkness. As Baloo found him self standing alone in the dark he started to walk away, haunted by what information he knew now about Shade, and the look that Shade had given him back on the island. “My dad always said that only soldiers that had seen a lot would get a look like that… what has that kid done in his life.”

**************************************************************************

What was the test that Shade endured, why does it concern Baloo and Becky so much, find out in later chapters.

Tune in next time as a plan to get Shade to take a break from crime fighting get’s him to remember the Night Witches, a squadron of all female fighter pilots who took him in after he escaped Panda-La.