(Ghost files) part3

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Chase 6

Mental face off

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Savitar smiled, as he looked at his now mentally captive audience. “My boss is going to be very pleased, Not only have I taken care of that nasty thorn in are side, but now we have the leaders of this city at are mercy.” Savitar said, as the Mayor, chief of police, fire chief, and members of the city council appeared before him. “Oh and the plans we have for this city.” As Savitar started to enjoy himself, Shade remained trapped in the mental void that Savitar had put him in.

“I can’t give up.” Shade said, as he kept moving trying to find away out of the darkness. “There has to be some way out.”

“There is always a way out, you just have to find it.” Kouken said, as he appeared next to Shade.

“F-father, p-please I need your help.”

“I know my son, but before you can leave here you must learn many things.”

“But the people, there is no time for a lesson, I have to get back to them, I have to stop Savitar before he uses the people for his own sick gains.”

“You have grown to be a little head strong haven’t you my son.” Kang said, as she appeared on the other side of Shade.

“Mother? What’s going on?”

“We’re all here for you kiddo.” Barbra said, as she and the rest of the night witches appeared in front of Shade, while Professor Tino, and Nicole appeared behind him.

“We are all here for you my son, because before you can go back out there and face Savitar you must be properly trained in mental combat, a skill that we have not yet covered in your training.” Kouken explained as he looked at Shade.

“But we don’t have time.”

“Ah but that is where you are wrong, my impatient little pup.” Kang said, as she tapped her finger on Shade’s nose. “In this state we will be able to give you the training an instant, remember we are in the dream state which allows us to slow down where 8 hours in the real world will seem like and instant, or we can flip the tables and make life times pass here and only an instant pass in the real world.”

“But that’s just it Savitar is in the dream state as well.”

“Yes but he doesn’t know how to manipulate time, he might be a skilled fighter in the mental plain but he has only scratched the surface of what the human mind is capable of, and by the time we finish with your training, you will be a step closer to your true potential, a step closer to becoming a true Shadow guard.” Shade understood this concept pretty well, he and his father had been training in the dream state for close to a month now, and his fighting skills had improved as well as his creative skills as he had more time to think up new devices for his war on crime, but what made Shade even more excited to get started in this new training was that it would help him in obtaining his goal of becoming what he had wanted to be so many years ago.

“But with this new training and these new skills, will come even greater temptation to become the very thing that you hate, you will have to remain in control of your own emotion so you do not find your self corrupted by this power.” Kouken stated, as he looked at Shade who stood up and nodded. “Very well, the first thing you must learn is mental fighting is that knowledge is truly power.“ with that Shade found himself standing at the end of a long isle looking at thousands upon thousands of scrolls. “Upon these scrolls are lessons and fighting stiles that have been handed down in the Shadow guard ever since it was formed, upon the opening of each scroll you will be trained in the lesson held within and will not be able to move on to the next scroll until you have mastered it.”

“I understand father.” As Shades training started Savitar was already getting to work on his captives.

“Is that understood mayor, when you awaken you will go to your office and pardon these people.” The mayor was in a very deep trance and only nodded as Savitar moved on to the next person in line. “Chief you are going to remove all your dock officers on Tuesday and Thursday nights, should anyone in your precinct happen to get any ideas of what is happening down there you will give them a free ticket to my show.” The chief only nodded as Savitar moved on to the members of the city council. “When I come to the council meets with anything, you will all pass it no matter what it is, is that clear.” the council members nodded, from above Rebecca couldn’t believe her eyes, this one man had control of the entire city and the one person that might have been able to stop him was trapped in stone. “As for you four.” Savitar said, as he looked up at Rebecca, Molly, Kit, and Baloo. “You’re each going to have a role in this new order.” with that each of them was transported before Savitar, their bodies ridged as Savitar walked up and smiled at them. “It doesn’t take an engineer to figure out that some how you four have a connecting with the Ghost, or that he’s taken a liking to you.”

“So what, he’s a good person, ever think he might have good taste in friends.” Baloo snapped, as he glared as Savitar, who only smiled and took great pleasure in Baloo’s reaction as he slowly lifted his hand up and took Rebecca by the chin. “GET YOU HANDS OFF HER!”

“Oh please, you big galoot, what are you going to do, you’re in my world now, and you have to obey by my rules.” Savitar turned, and smiled at Rebecca. “I had you imprisoned before because Muffy wanted to have her little revenge, and maybe I will do so again later down the line, but I think maybe for a while I will take my time in breaking your will myself, when you awaken from this not only will you be running your cargo shipping company, you’ll also be my personal assistant.”

“I’ll never work for a slim ball like you.” Savitar only smiled, as he looked at Rebecca then turned to Kit and Molly.

“You will also drop your brats off at the local orphanage, where I’m sure when the city council put Buffy back in charge will be able to find a perfect little place to put them.”

“Never, I’ll never do that to my children.”

“Oh but you will, even if it isn’t by your own choice, that’s just what your going to do and your going to remember it for the rest of your life.” Baloo, Molly, and Kit watched in horror as Rebecca’s eyes slowly seem to loose their fire, she was being put into the same kind of trance as the others, but the 3 knew she was still there, they watched as tears started to role down her cheek as she feared what the future was going to hold for her family.

“leave them alone.” A faint whisper, almost not even heard but was just loud enough for Savitar to hear, as he slowly turned around he saw that nothing had changed, no one had moved and only smiled shrugging it off as if he was only hearing things.

“As for you big guy.” Savitar said, as he looked at Baloo. “Your going to spend the rest of your life acting as are personal shipping bear, your going to help us spread are cargo all across the Usland country.”

“Not going to happen, what I am going to do is get out of this and pound you into the ground for this, no hurts my wife, and no one threatens my children.”

“Then call me mister nobody because you dolt, you have no say in the matter, your going to be are personal cargo pilot, your going to work harder than you have ever worked in your life, and for your nasty little outburst I think I might have just a little bit of fun destroying you will as well, or maybe the image your kids have of you, as soon as you get home tonight your going to.” Savitar whispered the final commands into Baloo’s ears, though Kit and Molly couldn’t hear what Savitar was saying by the look on Baloo’s face they could tell it wasn’t good.

“You sick son of a.” before Baloo could finish what he was saying Kit watched as Baloo’s eyes seem to go into the same deep trance as Rebecca’s and the others, he could tell that the big bears heart was breaking as tears started to run down his face, the final look Kit could see in Baloo’s eyes that was his own spoke volumes. ‘I’m sorry li’l britches.’

“leave them alone.” Again the same whisper as before only a little louder Savitar looked around once more, this time walking up to the Ghost who was still trapped in his mental prison.

“Can’t be.” Savitar said, as he took a close look but didn’t find anything out of the ordinary. “I must be hearing things.” As Savitar turned his attention towards Kit and Molly he smiled. “Funny really you brats are going to get the worst of this, at least when you get home you will, but after that I can promise you that your going to wish your old man had killed you.” These words sent chills down both Kit and Molly’s spin terrified of the unheard command that Savitar had given Baloo. “I know what both your fates are, your going to be slaving away in are garden once we get it back up and running.” Savitar said, as he pocked Kit’s nose. “And you little lady, well lets just say that for the rest of your life your going to get to be like Cinderella, before the fair godmother stepped in.” As Savitar cupped Molly’s chin in his hand he smiled. “Although I really don’t know how long that will last, from what I hear Wan-lo kind of works his servant girls to death.”

“GET YOUR HANDS OF MY SISTER!!” Kit’s outburst only earned him a slap across the face from Savitar.

“I SAID LEAVE THEM ALONE!” This time Savitar knew he wasn’t hearing things, as he turned around he could see it, violet cracks seem to appear on the stone that Shade had been turned into.

“This can’t be.”

“Oh your in trouble now.” Molly said, as she looked up at Savitar with a smile on her face.

“SHUT UP!” Savitar back handed Molly, but as soon as he did he heard an explosion from behind him, that was so powerful that it broke what control he had on the others. “This is impossible.” Savitar said, as he turned around only to be tackled by Shade who had his teeth bared and growled. Savitar looked into Shade’s eyes and could see only a black fire where Shade‘s eyes should be. A cold chill ran down his back, as a warm felling filled his pants. “GET OFF!” Shade was thrown backwards but stopped in mid air as he held out his arms and landed lightly on his feet. “Shadow guard.” Savitar said, as he looked at Shade as the figure before him seem to grow into adulthood and a grey samurai armor formed around him. “I was warned that I might run into you.”

“Then you should be running.” Molly said, as she pouted at Savitar with tears running down her face, she refused to cry from what he had done to her before, even though she was very young she had her mothers spirit, and she refused to give Savitar the satisfaction to hear her cry.

“I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!” Savitar turned his attention away from Shade for a brief second, but as he turned back around he found Shade standing face to face with him, but this meeting was only for a fraction of a second, just long enough for Shade to backhand him, sending Savitar flying back a few feet before landing on his back. “Get it together, remember what he said.” Savitar mumbled to himself as he picked him self up and then got into a fighting stance, getting Shade to stop for a second. “I see you know this.” a cocky smile spread across Savitar face as he looked at Shade, think he had the upper hand in this fight.

“I should, it’s a fighting stile of Panda-la.” Shade responded, as he got into a fighting stance himself.

“Ah then you know you can’t win.” Again the two charge at one another, and again both equally matched. “I was beginning to think I had wasted my time with that cell mate of mine.”

“Cell mate?”

“Yeah a panda by the name of Wan-lo, after his failed attempt to take over the city, they locked him up. I was all ready to make my own move to escape, when they put him in my cell, so instead of breaking out he offered to teach me, and help me expand my own powers of mind control, calling it the Shadow shields.”

“Shadow skills.”

“What?”

“The art he was teaching you, or tried to, is known as Shadow skills.”

“Who cares, with his lessons I’ve been able to get a good grip on this city, until you came along, he warned me that I might run into someone like you one day, and who would of guess the Ghost being the very person he was warning me about.”

“Whatever happened to Wan-lo?”

“I don’t know, he got out of the city with the help of are benefactors along with the remaining Panda-la army, they said their skills would be better suited in other areas.”

“I see, so Wan-lo is no longer in the city.”

“No.” for a moment during the fight no words where spoken between the two, and Savitar could only wonder if Shade was trying to plan something.

“I must admit you are skilled, and Wan-lo did teach you well.”

“He was an excellent teacher.” As Savitar spoke the last words he through a punch only to have it grabbed in mid swing. “What?” Savitar looked at Shade standing before him no longer in a fighting stance still holding Savitar’s fist.

“I had better.” with one massive blow to the chest followed by a knee to the face Savitar went flying backwards landing hard on his back. As he got back up he glared slightly as he held out his hand and a sword appeared.

“Time to die you masked up start.” as Savitar attacked again, and again, Shade dodged each attempt of the mad hypnotist. “HOLD STILL!!” as Savitar brought down his sword again, he was shocked when Shade vanished into a cloud of smoke and his sword passed through it. But was shocked when Shade reappeared and held Savitar’s sword down with his foot. “What kind of trick is this, this is my world, my rules, I FORBID YOU FROM DOING THIS!”

“You forbid? You opened the window Savitar, you let me in, and just as things can enter a window, other things can be pulled out.” Shade responded, as he disappeared and reappeared always landing a blow. The captives watched on as they saw the Ghost fight, he was no where, but at the same time he was, he would appeared and disappear in an instant knocking Savitar around like he was a play thing.

“GIVE HIM ONE FOR EACH OF US GHOST!!” The mayor yelled, as he looked at Shade.

“Your wish is my command.” Shade said, as appeared before the captive and bowed slightly before vanishing once more, only to appear in front of Savitar and landed a blow to Savitar’s gut, causing the hypnotist to double over before being set up straight with a kick to the chest, only to be followed by Shade jumping up and grabbing Savitar’s head to pull it down and slam it into the ground.

With each blow Shade announced who it was from and just as Savitar slowly started to get back up to his feet, Shade moved in for a finishing blow only to stop as Savitar raised his hand. The ground shook the world seem to fly apart as Savitar started to grow larger, and larger. “DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU COULD BEAT ME!?” Savitar asked, as he glared down at Shade. “I’m going to crush you like the insignificant bug you are.” As Savitar slammed his foot down a cloud of smoke erupted around it “Oh another vanishing act, I know how to draw you out from hiding.” Savitar snapped his fingers and his captives found them selves trapped in prison cells. “You think you’re going to save them? You barely saved yourself before,… I’ll tell you what, you can leave, you hear me Ghost? You can walk away.” for a moment there was no sound, before several of the captives started to scream out for the ghost not to leave them behind.

“Savitar please, you an I both know that the only reason you would give me such an offer is because you know that you can’t beat me, you’re scared.” again the world changed this time for the better, from what was best described as a prison to down town Cape Suzette. “One thing you should know Savitar, the eyes are windows to the soul, as well as the mind, and a window works both ways, that‘s what I was trying to tell you before.” the captive, now freed from their prison cells looked on from the sidewalks as Shade appeared in his adult form, dressed once more in a grey Samurai armor. “You force good people to do crimes, only so they would be forced to work for your crime boss, your actions helped in the cruelty, and abuse of children, and the death of five.” Savitar opened his mouth only to be silenced as Shade waved his hand, and a metal plate sealed it shut. “BE SILENT!” his voice boomed like thunder, as the city seem to grow darker. “I was able to hear everything you said Savitar, every twisted and vile command!” In a flash Shade was in front of Savitar a sword drawn and at Savitar’s throat. “For everything you’ve done, for everything you could have done, or would have done, I should end you here and now.” Shade slashed his sword across Savitar’s chest, not killing him but leaving a deep gash, getting a muffled scream from the grown cat, just before he brought his sword’s edge back to Savitar’s throat. “For the suffering you have helped inflict upon this city, and for how long it will take to help these people get back to a normal life, I should force you to endure what you inflicted ten fold.” Savitar found his limbs bound, and slowly being stretched to their limits, by the very shadows around him. “And for trying to destroy the gods of children, for trying to rip away their innocents, and make beloved parents lay harsh hands upon those they love most dear. I should teach you the true meaning of pain, I should make you face your worst nightmares and tortures over and over for all eternity.” to the captives looking on, each of them finding it hard to admit that they wanted to see the Ghost carry out his threat, and could tell that Shade was struggling not to let his anger dictate his action, as Shade’s body seem to tremble with anger. But as Shade lowered his weapon, turned his back to Savitar, and released him from his bindings, both Rebecca and Baloo let out a sigh of relief. “But I’m not your executioner, you’re going to stand trial for your crimes.” with that Shade waved his hand and the plate on Savitar’s mouth vanished.

“I knew you wouldn’t do it, for all your words, your threats, and acting. I knew you wouldn’t hurt me, I knew you didn’t have what it takes to finish me off.” Savitar stood up and a sword appeared in his hand. “Do you really think you can capture me? Even if you did win this day I would be free in 24 hours, I would only have to manipulate the prison guards minds and I could be free.” Savitar slowly raised his sword as he walked carefully up behind Shade. “And when I get free I’m going to make it my life’s work to come after you, to take everything you hold dear, to make your loved one’s pay for your weakness.” Savitar swung his blade but as it made contact it dissolved into black smoke.

“You’re right, you are to dangerous as you are now.” Shade said, as he turned and looked at Savitar. “Then again there is away to deal with that as well.” Shade held up his right hand and placed it on Savitar’s chest. “You don’t deserve the gift you wield.” with a flash of light the people found them selves back in the theater. Rebecca looked around stunned just like everyone else, but then turned her attention to Shade his hand was tense and there was blood coming from his nose, just before he went limp. At the same moment Savitar standing on stage let out a blood curtailing scream as he grabbed his head just before he passed out.

“ARREST HIM!!” The Mayor yelled, at the chief, who quickly did as he was told, but once the cuffs where on he checked for a pulse, and then let out a sign of relief. “Is he dead?”

“No he just passed out, what ever the Ghost did to him must have really gave him a headache.” While the Chief and Mayor talked on stage and in the mist of the confusion going on the higher for hire team was able to get Shade out of the theater. As Baloo walked down the street holding Shade in his arms he kept looking at Rebecca who was holding Molly, and Kit who was walking between them.

“Pa-pa bear?”

“Yeah Li’l britches?”

“What was Savitar’s last command to you.” Kit asked, getting the big bear to look down at him.

“Never you mind kiddo, there is nothing in this world that could get me to do it.” with that Kit nodded and smiled as he looked up at Baloo. Later as Kit and Molly were put to bed, and Shade was put on the couch in the living room Rebecca looked at Baloo and could see the big bear was disturbed by something. He had been standing outside for a while tossing stones into the bay. When she walked out and stood next to him she could see it he was still shaking, as her her arms wrapped around his left arm she could feel that he was still shaking from the entire ordeal of the night.

“Baloo?”

“I’ve never been so scared in my life Becky.” Baloo said, as he kept looking out at the moon’s reflection on the bay. “Even when you got arrested I didn’t even fell as scared as I did tonight.”

“Baloo it’s alright, we’re safe.”

“It’s not alright Rebecca, you… you don’t know what that man told me to do, what could of happened if Shade wasn’t able to save us this time.” Rebecca looked at Baloo, slightly shocked that he used her proper name, he only used it when he was getting annoyed with her about something or when it was really serious. “Becky if Shade didn’t break the trance that we had been put under, I would have… I could have… I” before Baloo could finish what he was saying Rebecca put her arms around one of his.

“But you didn’t, and I really doubt you could have Baloo, Savitar might have been able to trap are minds, but if it would have come down to it, I know that your big heart would have stopped you, I know that you wouldn’t have hurt any of us.”

“But what if I did.”

“You didn’t.”

“But Becky what if I did, I wouldn’t have been able to live with my self knowing that I hurt those two, or you.” Baloo said, as he looked at Rebecca who reached up and took his face in her hands and gave him a kiss on the nose.

“You wouldn’t have done it Baloo, I know your heart, it wouldn’t have let you hurt are children.” Baloo started to say something but was cut off when Rebecca kissed him again. After a few moments they broke the kiss and the big bear smiled.

“I like the sound of that.”

“The sound of what?”

“Are children.”

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Case 7

For the greater good.

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It was early the next morning when Shade’s nose started to twitch as a smell filled the air, as a smile slowly crossed his face his eyes opened up as he sat up on the couch in the Cunningham house hold. “Told you Becky, your cooking could lift any kind of spirit.” Baloo said, as he smiled at Shade from the dinning room table. Rebecca smiled as she placed a plate of pancakes on the table.

“I’m just glade that I’m able to do this right now.”

“You and me both.” Baloo said, as he started to reach for the pancakes only to get his hand smacked. “OW! Hey Becky what gives?”

“What gives mister is your tuxedo, if your going to fit in it for are wedding your going to have to go on a diet.” Rebecca gave Baloo a look that knew melted the big bears heart.

“YEAH!! Pancakes.” Molly cheered as she ran up to the table and looked at her mom and future dad.

“Morning.” Kit said, as he scratched his head and smiled at everyone at the table.

“Morning you two, start digging in.” Rebecca smiled at her two children then looked up and saw Shade still sitting on the couch. “That means you as well young man, you need to eat something to keep up your strength.” Shade looked at the family and smiled slightly as he walked over to the table and sat down. “That’s a good boy.” just then Baloo put the paper down and smiled.

“Looks like you made the paper again kiddo.” Baloo said, as he pointed to the headlines. “Ghost brings down mental mastermind.” with that Shade took a quick look and then shook his head.

“They’re wrong, he’s not the mastermind behind the drug ring.”

“What do you mean?” Kit asked, as he looked at Shade.

“Well so far I’ve found where a certain part of the drugs had been getting made, and shut it down.”

“We read about that a few days ago.” Rebecca said, as she sat down and took a sip of her juice.

“Then came the prison, where the mushrooms got shipped in under the police nose.”

“Right, when you proved that mommy was good.” Molly said, as she smiled at Shade and then hugged Rebecca.

“Correct Molly, but the drugs aren’t just made of the mushrooms, they have other addictive elements to them that make it nearly impossible to break the addiction with out causing serious brain damage, one of them is another plant extract that only grow in the area that Panda-la once called home, and with Savitar mentioning Wan-lo’s name last night, in regards to the fate he was going to send you to, tells me that some how this drug lord has a connection with Wan-lo, if not being Wan-lo, and that slim ball has the plant. So the paper is wrong about me catching the mastermind behind everything, if anything Savitar was a general, or at least one of the major cogs in this entire thing.” with that the table got silent and Baloo looked at Rebecca who kept looking at Shade.

“So it isn’t over.” Rebecca finally asked, breaking the silence.

“Not by a long shot, we’ve crippled them yes, but that’s just made them more dangerous, which put you four endanger for a few reasons, 1.) Should Savitar remember anything about last night, though I don’t think he will, he could tell his contacts that you have a connection with me. 2.) If Wan-lo is behind all this, he might seek revenge against your family, mostly Baloo since do to his actions the invasion of Panda-la failed.” with that Shade got quite and started to eat again. Before pausing for a minute and setting down his fork. “I know you have work here ma-am, and I know your lively hood depends on you working a lot, but may I make a suggestion that you and your family leave town for a short period of time, at least a week?” Rebecca looked at Shade and could see that he had been thinking about this question for a while. Rebecca thought for a minute and then looked at Baloo who she could still see was shaken up still from the events from the night before.

“I think a vacation would do us all a bit of good.”

“Now your talking Becky, maybe a little fun in the sun at Loui’s.”

“I was thinking some place else,… like my parents place.” Baloo nearly chocked on his juice as he looked at Rebecca.

“I think that would be a great idea.” Shade said, as he smiled at Rebecca.

“YAAAA! We’re getting to go see Grammy and grampy.” Molly said, as she looked at Kit.

“Yeah that’s going to be great.” Kit said, as he smiled, and then looked at Shade. Kit noticed a somber look on young wolfs face, and knew that Shade was trying to hide something from them. Else where in the city a dagger was stabbed into a Ghost doll laying on a desk.

“This Ghost has become a much bigger annoyance then I am willing to over look, I want him found and I want him put down.” with that a Jackal looked up at his remaining gang members.

“Oh now Kage sweetie you know how I don‘t like to see you upset.” Lupe said, as she draped her arms around the Jackal.

“I don’t care, I want this masked pest dealt with so I can get back on schedule, that’s all I care about.” Kage said, before he took Lupe’s right hand and started to kiss it. “Well almost all I care about, why don’t you go back to the apartment Krystal, I have a lot of work to do today.” Lupe smiled slightly, as she walked to Kage’s right side and sat down.

“I rather stay with you beloved.” Kage smiled, as he looked into Lupe’s eyes.

“Alright beloved.” A few days later Rebecca stood in Higher for hire looking at the Sea duck ready to take off as soon as she dealt with something that was delivered earlier that morning. As the sun slowly started to go down, and the last rays of light fades in the office Rebecca turned around and gasped in shock finding Shade sitting in her chair, behind her desk.

“Shade if I was your mother I would box your ears for giving me that scare.” Rebecca said, as she walked up and flicked one of Shade’s ears with the letter. “Now I’ve come to except that I can’t talk you out of being the Ghost, but if you start getting your mail sent here I might have to start charging you rent.” Shade looked at Rebecca questionably as she tossed the letter on her desk in front of him, Rebecca smirked as she watched Shade opened the letter.

“You are invited to Khan tower at your earliest convenience please ensure that your earliest convenience is before 9 P.M. tonight.” with that Shade folded the letter up and then looked at Rebecca. “looks as if the Ghost has been invited to see the big man in the glass tower.”

“Be careful Shade, Khan might be trying to set a trap, he’s not really well known for his good business practice.”

“True, and he would have the money to finance the entire drug ring I’ve been working on, he could be the mastermind behind the entire drug ring.”

“But why would he do that?”

“He might have a cure for the addicts, or at least something that will make getting off the drugs easier.”

“Well if he is behind the drug ring, what are you going to do?” with that Shade tapped the letter a few times on the desk, and then looked up at Rebecca.

“I’m going to go and talk with him, but I’m going to be ready just incase.” with that Shade jumped over Rebecca’s desk and would have kept going if Rebecca hadn’t grabbed his tail.

“Hold it young man.” Shade looked at Rebecca, who just then pointed to the chair. “If your going to sit in my chair, your going to put it back the way you found it.” with that Shade nodded and then went back to Rebecca’s chair and pushed it in under the desk. “Good boy.” As Shade left Rebecca smiled on the inside as she put a hat on her head, and walked out to the sea duck, hopping that it wouldn’t be the last time she would see the young wolf. Five minutes to nine in Khan’s office he sat at his desk deep in thought, as he looked at his clock he kept looking at the elevator.

“I’m some what amazed by your plant Mr. Khan.” a voice said from the shadows getting Khan to look around. “When I first read the letter I’ll admit I thought you to be the mastermind behind the drug ring.” Shade said, as he walked out from Khan’s plants. “But when I arrived and found you have this plant in your office, I easily threw out that idea.” Shade said, as he held out his hand and one of the fly trap mouths rested on it. “You do know what kind of plant this is don’t you?”

“I do, it helps when I’m making deals.”

“I’m sure it does, but it would also turn on you if you where the head of the drug ring.”

“How is that?”

“Besides the fact that it would attack you for destroying another cundarian plant, even a fungus like the mushroom used in the drug, it would turn on you once it found out that people were being harmed by the drugs, and seeing that you have a radio on your desk I’m sure you keep up with the latest news.”

“I do, but do you?” with that Shade looked at Khan who only seem to be measuring Shade up with his eyes. “You’ve been quite a story as of late, muggers, dealers, gangsters, runaway trolleys, and recently you’ve rescued those kids at that camp, over threw that prisoner ran prison, saved all those lives, so I have a question for you.”

“And that would be?” with that Khan tossed Shade a paper and as he read the main title. “Falling angle?” Shade had read the story before, while he was locked in the prison Shere Khan’s sister committed suicide, jumped from her hotel room to her death. “I’m not following, if your wondering why I couldn’t save her, I’m sorry Mr. Khan but no matter how many stories you have heard about me, not even I can be two places at once.”

“That’s not my question, I want to know if you can find her killers.”

“Killers? The report said she jumped, the only killer in this case is gravity.” Khan slammed his fist on his desk as he bared his teeth.

“SHE DID NOT KILL HER SELF!!” with that Shade took a step back and looked at Khan. “My sister had everything to live for, she never had to worry about money, a lovely daughter and a husband that cared about her, even if the rest of my family didn’t care for him.” Shade nodded several times and then looked at Khan’s plant.

“I know how to solve this.” with that Shade held up the paper to the plant. “Shelia Khan jumps to her death leaving behind her husband and daughter.” in a flash vines shot out from the plant and ripped the paper apart. “So you don’t like the story?” Shade question and one of the fly traps lifted up and hissed at him. Shade nodded then turned his attention to Khan. “Alright, I’ve been talked into it, but I’m going to need access to a few things, and you’ll have to be patient sir, my hands are kind of full with this drug ring as it is, but I will do everything I can to try and prove your sister didn’t kill her self, but you… both of you, have to understand that if I prove that she did jump you’ll have to except it and not turn on me.” Shade kept turning his attention between Khan and the plant. “But say I did prove her innocent and found her killer, what would you do?” a vine crack on the floor where the paper laid and Shade just turned his attention to the fly trap. “I know what you would do, I want to know about him.”

“I would ensure that justice was done.” Shade looked at Kahn and could see the dark look in his eyes.

“There are many kinds of justice Mr. Khan.”

“We will talk about that when the time comes.”

“If the time comes, now if you‘ll excuse me sir, I have to go.” As Shade reached the elevator he stopped and looked back at Khan.

“Tell me, who would benefit most from her death?”

“No one, the money she spent was from my accounts, though she didn’t really have to work a day in her life, I would have made sure of that, she wanted to travel the world and make things better for everyone, she built schools, homes, fields for food, hospitals.” with that Shade nodded and then turned to face Khan.

“Did she happen to cross anyone while doing this? I know that in some parts of the world to keep control of power certain crime lords keep the people miserable unless they work for them, some of them even have entire cities as their personal army, it’s even done here to a level, that’s why it’s been hard to take down this drug ring, for every dealer I take down, they hire three homeless people to take their place.”

“I am aware of these places, and I made sure that my sister didn’t step on anyone’s toes before I green lightened funding for her projects, but I will make some phone calls and see some how some one put a hit out on her.”

“And I’ll see what I can find out here, don’t take this wrong, but it could also be she was at the wrong place at the wrong time.” with that Khan watched as Shade faded into the shadows. A few hours later Shade arrived at the chief’s office.

“Running a little late tonight.”

“Had to go see a tiger about a case.” Chief Baldwin looked at Shade for a minute and then shrugged as he picked up a sheet and handed it to Shade.

“Well the good news is here’s the first list from Lupe.” with that Shade took the list, it told where dealers would be as well as drops in small foothold that the drug ring had been able to get in the city.

“How did she get this?”

“She was able to get in nice with the head of the drug ring.” Baldwin said, as he smiled slightly, only to have Shade slam the list on the desk.

“YOU KNOW WHO THE DRUG LORD IS AND HAVEN’T MOVED IN YET!!” the chief looked at Shade for a minute shocked by the outburst, and the enraged look on his face. “Give me one good reason I shouldn’t leave you catatonic here and now.” the look in Shade’s eyes could stop a heard of ragging bulls, let alone send a cold chill down the chief’s spin. “That slim ball’s drug is still putting people in the hospital and you’re not making a move to lock him up.”

“Ghost calm down please, listen to me for a second.”

“You have 3 make them count.”

“We know that he has another supplier of material.”

“Yeah, Wan-lo I know that.”

“But only Kage knows how to contact Wan-lo, and we have to wait until he does, so we can take this ring out for good.” The chief could still see the rage in Shade’s eyes, but as it gave way for reasoning he could feel Shade’s grip loosening. “I don’t like it any better then you do Ghost, but right now this is the best we can do.” As shade let the chief go he grabbed the list once more, didn’t say a word and just left through the window. Leaving the chief still stunned in his chair, he had never seen Shade this angry before, and worst of it all he knew that Shade could do what he threaten. The chief knew Savitar was an example of that, thought he was sitting in a padded jail cell, in a straight jacket, both of them weren’t needed, because what ever Shade had done to Savitar had made the grown man loose his mind. For the next few nights that’s how things went, Shade would arrive at the chief’s office and get a list, and in the morning Kage would be infuriated, and by noon the news spread all the way to winger city where the Cunningham family was visiting Rebecca’s parents.

“So Rebecca I heard that you had some dealing with this Ghost fellow.” Rebecca’s mother asked, as she looked at her daughter across the dinner table.

“Now Elisabeth I think we have better things to talk about then a mask vigilante taking the law into his own hands.”

“Oh David I’m just a little curious about him, besides if it wasn’t for this mask vigilante, as you call him, are poor daughter would have been locked up and these two sweetie little angles would be in the local orphanage.”

“Now you know I wouldn’t have let that happen, I would have stepped in and got both of them out of the orphanage, and given Baloo a job, and if possible pulled a few strings to get Rebecca out of jail, though I think when we got home I would have had a few choice words for her.” Rebecca blushed slightly as she looked at her parents.

“Now come on you two, everything turned out for the better.” Baloo interrupted and both adults turned and looked at him.

“We’ll Mr. Baloo you said you grew up in Cape Suzette do you know anything about this Ghost?” Elizabeth asked, as she turned her attention to Baloo.

“Mother.”

“What, I just want to know more about this person we keep hearing about, and since your going to raise are granddaughter and future grandson in that city I want to know everything I can about it.”

“He’s the ghost, he put’s on the mask because he wants to protect those that he fights for, he is driven by a purpose that isn’t really known by anyone, but those that have looked into his eyes and are innocent of crime can see the sorrow that his hidden behind his eyes, he was pushed to what he does now, tired of seeing people suffer and no longer wanting to suffer him self he fights for the city even for those in are city that don’t want him around.” The room was silent as everyone looked at Kit. After a few minutes Elizabeth smiled at Rebecca.

“I have to say honey you certainly did find a well spoken boy.” Rebecca looked at her mother and nodded slightly. After dinner Rebecca offered for her and Kit to wash the dishes, as they stood at the sink washing Rebecca looked at Kit who was drying, wondering how she would bring up the question.

“Kit what you said at dinner. Where did it come from?” Kit looked at Rebecca and set down a plate that he had been drying.

“Remember when I was staying at Shade’s place?”

“Yes, you said it was a large bunker of some sort.”

“Well while I was there I found a book.” As Kit started to tell Rebecca what he read in Shade’s diary. Back in Cape Suzette Shade was in his lair fast asleep on his cot, but his sleep wasn’t of his normal training session with his father. He could hear Lupe screaming out for help, but could only see darkness, begging for some one to stop doing something, crying sobbing, it wasn’t until she let out an ear piercing scream that Shade shot up right gasping for air.

“Something’s wrong.” As Shade jumped to his feet and grabbed his wrist radio. “Ghost to chief Baldwin, Ghost to chief Baldwin.”

“Ghost? Do you know what time it is?” Shade looked up at the clock and smiled it was 3 in the afternoon, about 4 hours before he even showed his face outside.

“It’s early, but have you gotten a call yet from Lupe?” a moment past with no response from the chief.

“BALDWIN HAS LUPE CHECKED IN OR NOT!?”

“No she hasn’t.”

“Chief don’t ask me how I know this, but I do, Lupe is in trouble, she’s in pain and needs are help, I need to know where the drug lab is and every good cop you trust there in an hour.”

“Alright it’s the old fish refinery on dock 15, Ghost are you sure about this?”

“Dock 15 got it, I can be there in half an hour and make sure, but have your men ready to move in at a moments notice.”

“Wait Ghost what’s going on? How do you know Lupe needs help?…. Ghost?” their was no response from Shade as he got dressed and made his way to the dock, he used the shadows as cover and only took out people when he had no other choice hiding their unconscious bodies into areas that he hoped they wouldn’t be found for a while.

It was while doing his recon of the refinery that he was able to find Kage’s office. If this was a bust then maybe he would be able to find out when the next shipment was going to be coming in, and catch Wan-lo. As he peaked in he smiled to find the office empty, he made his way to Kage’s desk and started to look through it. He had to be quite, but quick, should any of Kage’s goons come in, or if Kage himself came in, Shade would find him self in a tight fix, and the recon would be a bust since everyone would be on high alert even if he did make it out of the office. As he went through the desk he didn’t find what he was looking for, but he did discover a file that shed some light on another matter. As he opened the file and started to read through it he could hardly believe what he was reading. As he closed the file and stuffed it in his shirt he made his way to the door checked the hall and went on with his recon.

‘So Khan was right, his sister didn’t take her own life.’ Shade thought to himself as he went on with his recon. It was another 20 minutes of hiding and bidding his time before Shade found a room that caught his attention. The room had 2 guards watching the door, who he quickly put under with two sleep darts. When he made his way into the room, he found Lupe she was beaten pretty bad, wrist chained to the roof, and ankles chained to the floor, her cloths torn, and she didn’t stop sobbing, even after Shade got her attention. She kept mumbling something as Shade through a capsule up to the roof and watched the contents inside dissolve the chain, Once the chain was weak enough it snapped letting Lupe fall to the floor, but once she hit Shade watched as she curled up into the fetal position and kept sobbing and mumbling. “What did he do to you?” Shade asked, as he used another capsule to free Lupe’s ankles. “Lupe please we have to move.” As Shade looked into Lupe’s eyes he was pulled into the horrors that she had endured, before he was thrown backwards, gasping for air, the images now burned into his minds eye had broken Lupe, a grown woman, he was still a child and the images sent him into a state of shock and terror.

“Shade.” As Kouken walked up and picked up his son up he could see Shade visibly shaken. “You weren’t ready for that.”

“What’s wrong with him?” Kang asked, as she ran up and looked at Shade.

“His mind wasn’t ready for what he has seen, he needs are help to regain control. To help his mind adjust to what he has seen.” with that Kang nodded and soon everyone from Shade’s past appeared around them placing a hand upon Shade’s head.

“Wake up my little one, it’s time to wake up.” Kang said, as she stroked Shade’s face. “Find your way back to us, we’re all waiting for you.” The milky void like look in Shade’s eyes started to make Kang worry.

“We have to help him some how, he can’t remain where he is, in this state of mind.”

“We are unable to move his body, we are lucky to be aloud to couch him the way we have been.” Kouken reminded his wife as he looked at the fear in her eyes.

“But if we don’t do something soon he could be killed.”

“I know that, but we can’t move his body, we are forbidden to do so.”

“Forbidden or not, if the kid needs are help we help.” Barbra said, as she looked at Kouken. “Those that knew his parents know that they wouldn’t let such things stop them, we have to do something.”

“I might be able to help.” Nicole said, as she looked at everyone. “It’s been said that music can both calm and enrage a person.”

“It’s been known that music can stimulate certain parts of the mind yes.” Kouken said, as he looked at Nicole, then he turned to his wife.

“Kang we need you to sing to him.”

“I don’t even know what I would be singing.”

“You sang to him when he was an infant.”

“To put him to sleep not to wake him up.”

“It’s are only chance right now, we swore to protect him even after are own death, and right now he needs us to wake up.” Kouken said, as he looked at his wife. Who looked upon Shade’s face, and remembered the young pup she used to hold in her arms.

“I’ll try.”

“Out of the mist of history, he’ll come again, Sailing on ship across the sea, to save a wounded nation.” As Kang sang these words the area around the extended family changed, the sky above them seem to light up slightly. “Signs of a savior, like fire on the water, It’s what we prayed for, one of are own.” As Kang sang she looked into the hurt face of her adopted son, while the others looked to the sky and could see something going on above them.

“Kouken what’s going on?”

“I don’t know Barbra, I’ve never seen anything like this before.” Kouken then looked at his wife. “Keep singing Kang.”

“Just wait, thought wide he may roam, always, a hero comes home.” as Kang kept singing the others could see something coming down from the heavens orbs of white light. “He goes where no one has gone, but always a hero comes home.” The orbs of energy landed softly around the family and each one soon formed into a person, a Wolf their cloths dating from different eras of time, Male, female each one of them had the same looks in their eyes, the look that Kouken had seen many times in the eyes of Shade’s father and mother. “Deep in the heart, of darkness sparks, a dream of light.” the figures slowly moved close to the family and placed their hands upon their shoulders. “Surround in hopelessness, he will find the will to fight.” as energy seem to slowly flow into the family and into Shade, Kouken and the other started to understand who these spirits used to be in the realm of the living. “There’s no surrender, always remember, it doesn’t end here, you’re not alone.” A smile crossed Kang’s face as she watched Shade’s body fill with the energy of his ancestors, knowing that it would be a beacon for him to find his way back to them.

“Just wait, thought wide he may roam

always, a hero comes home

He goes

where no one has gone

but always

a hero comes home

And he will come back

On a crimson tide

Dead or alive

And even though we know

The bridge has burned

He will return

He will return

Just wait, thought wide he may roam

always, a hero comes home

He knows

of places unknown

But always

a hero comes home

He goes

But comes back alone

But always

A hero comes home” As Kang finished singing the Wolfs around them let out a howl up to the heavens and Shade opened his eyes and bared his teeth as he let out his very first but primal howl, waking him up in the real world where he found Lupe still curled up in the floor as a guard walked in with a plate of food, who was quickly dispatched as Shade hit him with a dart. There was no time for Shade to question what had just happened he would have time for that later, at this point and time his concern was now drawn to Lupe who was in no shape to escape with him, at least not with out the enemy’s attention being somewhere else.

“Chief this is the Ghost I found Lupe, she’s pretty bad, and I’ll need a diversion to.” before Shade could finish what he was saying he heard an explosion at the far side of the building, as he looked out of the room he saw that a hole had been blown into the wall and cops were now in the middle of a gun fight between the lab workers. Once shade had moved Lupe into a hiding spot he made his way to the Chief. “I said diversion not surgical strike.” faster then Shade could react the chief grabbed Shade by the collar of his shirt and pulled him face to face.

“WHERE IS SHE!?” Shade grabbed the chief’s wrist and put pressure in just the right place to get him to let go.

“She’s safe, and your loosing it.” Baldwin was about to argue but stopped when looked up and saw Kage running up a flight of stairs.

“KAGE!!” As the chief knocked Shade out of the way he gave chase after the head of the drug ring.

“CHIEF NO!” As Shade got back to his feet he gave chase, he had to try and prevent the chief from doing something he was going to regret later. “Baldwin you can’t hurt him.”

“I’m not going to hurt him, I’m going to rip out his throat.” Baldwin responded, as he fired his gun missing Kage barely.

“HE HAS TO FACE JUSTICE!”

“HE’S FACING IT!!” another shot fired another near miss. Shade ducked as one of Kage’s thugs came out from a hiding spot and tried to hit him with a lead pipe only to be put under with a dart.

“BALDWIN YOU’RE A COP! YOUR JOB IS TO SERVE AND PROTECT NOT SEARCH AND DESTROY!” Another thug lunges from a hiding spot, with a knife cutting him slightly. “Oh for the love of,… I’M TRYING TO SAVE YOUR BOSS YOU IDOTS!” As Shade threw down several capsules clueing the thug to the spot and carried on his way as they started to get to the upper floors. “I really can’t believe I just said that,… I really can’t believe what I’m doing.” As Shade started to climb up the metal beams of the building to get to the third level of the building while the Chief chased Kage up the stairs. “YOU’RE REALLY PUTTING ME IN A STRANGE PLACE HERE CHIEF!” By the time shade reached the top he found Kage standing on the edge of railing while the chief was pointing his gun at him. “KNOCK IT OFF BALDWIN!”

“Shut up ghost, you said it your self this guy is scum and deserves to be put down.”

“I don’t recall saying we should put him down, but that’s not your job, your job is bring him in, to let him have a trail, to let the system run it’s course.”

“The system, more then half of the jerks this thugs has hired have been getting off light, more people are getting put in the hospital, the crime rate has been going up since his poison was introduced, and for you to tell me to trust the system is a laugh, do you know what it’s like not knowing if you can trust the people you work with?”

“No chief, I don’t, I just wear this mask for my health.” the chief shot a quick look at Shade who was sitting on the metal railing looking at him.

“Well maybe you do, but it’s been a nightmare for me, and the only person I could trust was Lupe and this dirt bag hurt her.”

“Are you talking about that fine piece of tail?” Kage asked, only to have the chief cock the hammer of his gun back bear his teeth in frustration.

“Don’t help Kage I’m trying to save your life here,… seriously chief you’re really putting me in a fix here.”

“I DON’T CARE I’M GOING TO BLOW THIS SLIME BALL’S HEAD OFF!!”

“NO YOU’RE NOT!” both Kage and Baldwin’s attention got drawn to Shade as he jumped down on the metal frame work. “He’s scum, I get it. You hate his guts, I get it. But you are not going to kill him, because we both know that jerks like these are like cockroaches, kill one another takes it’s place. You are a good cop, and when the next cockroach shows it’s head the station is going to need you to help take him down.” with that the chief looked at Shade then at Kage. “Don’t get me wrong he’s scum and you’re going to be showing him more mercy then he deserves but you can’t take his life.” Shade said, as he slowly walked up and reached for the chief’s gun.

As this entire ordeal was going on, down on the ground floor the officers had been able to take down the lab workers. As they started to gather them up and arrest those that had survived, everything stopped when the sound of gun being fired 5 times echoed through out the refinery. In a made dash several officers ran to wear the sound had come from and could see the chief on the third floor over hang holding something, they quickly raced up the stairs, worried that one of their own had been shot in the line of duty they made it to the top in only a few minutes, but once they found the chief they saw him holding Lupe both still in shock.

“Chief what happened?” one of the officers asked, getting the chief to look at them.

“H-he killed him, the Ghost shot and killed Kage.” Else where Shade wondered back to his lair, in his hand a gun recently fired, and in his head thing where still a turmoil, what he had just done was for the greater good, what he did was to help the city, and try and give Lupe some kind of closure, but the question that kept haunting him, the question that kept coming to him as he kept walking.

“Was it the right thing to do?”

*********

Epilogue

*********

That day Shade slept while the news papers and radios quickly went about their way on spreading the word that the Ghost had allegedly taken a life, and was now being hunted by the police to bring him in. As the news reached Winger City, the Cunningham family could hardly believe their ears. “I know it.” David said, as he slapped the dinning room table then pointed at the radio. “It was only a matter of time before the Ghost would cross the line, you see Elisabeth that’s why cops shouldn’t count on or work with people like that, sooner or later they think they’re above the law and start to break it them selves.”

“Now David, the radio did say alleged, it doesn’t mean that the Ghost did it.”

“Yes but they also said that the chief of police stated he saw the Ghost do it with his own two eyes, that’s enough proof for me.” with that David turned to Rebecca, proud that he was correct about his theory. “What do you think Rebecca?” At the time Rebecca couldn’t seem to find the words to say anything, she was shock, angry and confused all at once. “Rebecca honey are you alright?” David asked, as he reached over and put a hand on his daughter’s shoulder, only to have Rebecca quickly look at him in shock.

“I’m sorry I need to be excused.” with that Rebecca left the table, and was shortly followed by Baloo.

“Was it something I said?” David asked, as he looked at his wife, who seemed to be just as confused. Else where as Shade slept in his lair, only to find him self standing before those that had a hand in raising him, he had so many questions for them, he didn’t really know where to start but only one question he feared the answer to.

“Did I do the right thing?” Shade asked, after a moment of hesitation. As each of them looked at one another it was Kang who stepped forward and knelt down before Shade.

“You made a tough choice Shade, a choice that few of us have faced, what you did was an act of kindness, but in doing so you have now taken on an even greater burden. You know that no longer will you have the police as your allies, which means that what you are doing will now be twice as hard, if not more.” Kang explained, as she reached up and stroked Shade’s face.

“But if I didn’t.” before Shade could say another word Kang covered his mouth and smiled.

“I know what would have happened, we all know, and we don’t disagree with your decision, nor can we agree with it, because it is a decision that only you could have made.” with that Shade looked away from Kang, as if ashamed to even set eyes upon her, or anyone that had raised him. They had taught him right from wrong, they had always told him that justice must prevail, with or with out the help, and in an moment of weakness he had let his heart guide his actions.

“I… I wish to be alone mother.” with that Kang nodded and vanished along with the others leaving Shade alone with his own thoughts. As Shade sat alone, his mind no longer wondering about what had happened before, but what was going to happen. He knew that he was going to be chased if he should ever step out as the Ghost again, but he couldn’t give up the fight.