Little Lost Molly/ Chapter 2 of the Shade saga.

The next morning Rebecca smiled as she curled up next to her big furry pillow, as she held Molly in her lap. “Mommy.” Molly cooed as she curled up in Rebecca’s arms, getting Rebecca to smile as she slowly started to open her eyes, and realized that she didn’t own a furry pillow. As Rebecca opened her eyes to find Baloo fast asleep, she blushed slightly as she slowly sat up, to try not wake him, not really knowing what she would say if he did wake up. As she got off the couch and carried Molly to her room she tucked Molly in to let her get a little more rest, once she returned to the living room she looked at the piano and was just about to close the lid to the keys when she noticed that something was shinning on them, as she reached down careful not to strike a note she found that the keys them selves had drops of water on them.

“He was crying?” Rebecca questioned, as she close the lid keeping a mental note to clean them later, she turned to her flight crew, smiling as she looked at how Baloo held Kit, and how Kit seemed so peaceful in the big bears arms. As Rebecca retrieved a blanket from her room she smiled as she thought about how it was lucky that there wasn’t any deliveries until later that day. As Rebecca looked out at the new day she couldn’t help but wonder where Shade had gone off to. Else where in Capsuzette Shade stood in his lair, he was patching him self up from a hard night of fighting, after a while he set the medical supplies down and took a deep breath as he looked him self in the mirror.

“Is this really what I want? Is this all I’m good for?” Shade asked himself, as he looked him self in the eyes. “I wonder if their awake yet?” Shade started to think about the four he had left behind the evening before and then turned his back on his own reflection clinching his fist. “NO!… I know what happens to those that I care about, I can’t go back, I wont go back, to protect them.” As Shade walked around his lair he sat down in an old recliner and closed his eyes.

Pirate Island.

Don Karnage smiled as he looked at his two new partners in crime, two very smart Doctors in the field of this new field of technowlogy known as robotics. “Hello it is I they plundering wonder Don Karnage, and I have brought you two here, because I wish for you two science type people to build me an army.” Don Karnage said, as he looked at both men.

“Hold on Karnage, I agreed to help you, but there is no way I’m working with this loon.” Torque said, as he pointed at Dr. Axelottel. With that Don Karnage smiled and looked at Torque.

“Yes, yes I have heard about his past, and I see your point oh so very clearly.” with that Karnage pulled out his sword and put the tip to Torque’s nose. “Now do you see mine?” with that Torque gulped slightly as he looked at the sword and nodded slightly. “Then there will be no more refusal?”

“N-no sir.” with that Karnage put his sword away and looked at the two Scientest.

“Good, then come up with some ideas and tell my men what you will be needing.” with that Karnage started to walk away and then turned and smiled at them. “Oh and please do be having something to show me very soon.” With that Karnage closed the door and walked away leaving the two men to look at one another.

Cape suzette Park

12:00p.m.

Rebecce Cunningham smiled as she looked at a ledger and then up at her daughter Molly playing on the play set. It was a rare event for Rebecca to take Molly to the park on a work day but Rebecca felt that she needed to get some fresh air, trying to shake the image of sleeping in Baloo’s arms out of her head, or the feelings that it brought up.

As Rebecca heard the sound of an ice cream cart she smiled slightly as she looked at Molly. As Rebecca walked to the vendor she smiled as she thought about how Molly would react when she surprised her with a frosty peep cone. She smiled as she walked up to the spot that she last saw Molly only to see that she wasn’t there. “Molly sweetie.” Rebecca called, as she started to look around, with no answer a feeling of concern started to creep into her heart. “MOLLY?… MOLLY CUNNINGHAM!?” the creeping since of concern started to get replaced with fear as Rebecca kept calling for Molly, as she walked around the play area. “MOLLY THIS ISN’T FUNNY YOUR SCARRING MOMMY.” Rebecca called out starting to get looks from both kids and adults, and as these looks started to dawn on her the fear that had filled her was now quickly over taken by terror. “MOLLY!!!!!!” 　

Cunningham apartment

It was hours before Rebecca returned home, she had done everything she could think of doing, she first reported that her daughter was missing, gave a description of Molly to them and then proceeded to search the park her self, Going to the news papers and paying to run a missing person add for Molly, and again back to the park hopping that Molly had shown up, but to her horror she did find something on yet another search of the park. In a trash can near the play area Rebecca found Molly’s doll. Rebecca looked at the doll for several moments hopping she was wrong, but once she flipped the doll over and found the initials MC on the tag Rebecca held the doll close and started to cry, wanting her nightmare to end, she wanted so much for Molly to run up to her then and there laughing saying that she was O.K. and just playing a joke on her. As Rebecca walked into Molly’s room she sat down on the bed and started to cry once more. Only to calm down to sniffles as she heard the phone, she rushed hopping it was the police calling to tell her that they had found Molly alive and well. “Hello.”

“Becky what’s going on Wildcat isn’t making any since. The Cape park play ground set is missing, and the police want Molly?” Baloo asked, over the phone, and Rebecca’s heart sank, as she broke into tears.

“Oh Baloo my little girl (*sniffle*) she’s missing, we where in the park and I turned my back for a second and now she’s gone.” Rebecca cried, as she held the phone close. Baloo’s heart sank as he heard the news, and then a bit of rage started to fill him as he swore to him self that if anyone hurt Molly they would be able to count all their teeth on one finger.

“Alright Becky, me and Kit are going to look for button nose now, will find her I promise.” As the phone hung up on the other end Rebecca looked a her hand set and then hung it up. Rebecca thought back to all the times that Baloo and Kit had done so much for her and helped protect Molly over the past years and dried her face as she knew that those two would find her little girl, if anyone could they could.

“Please find my baby Baloo, bring her back to me.” Rebecca didn’t dare leave the apartment incase the police found Molly, or if maybe Molly came home.

Cape suzette docks.

A tall polar bear walked up and looked at a small cage that he tapped several times, to wake up Molly who had cried her self to sleep hours before. “Wake up brat time to eat.” with that the Polar bear dumped some scraps through the bars of the cage and walked away laughing. As he did Molly started to sob as she picked a orange peal from her hair. She would protest, she would scream, she would give the mean bear a piece of her young mind, but she tried that once before, and as she placed her hand to the side of her face she sobbed even more as she winced at a black and blue spot on the side of her face. “I know some people that would love to get a hold of anyone that Baloo cares about. In fact I know an entire nation that would love to get their hands on this brat, and the best part is I still get my revenge on that no good rooky lady.” the polar bear said, as he sat down in a chair and started to throw darts at a poster of Baloo, Rebecca, and Kit, hitting each of them in the head. As Molly pushed the filth out of her cage, she curled up and started to sob, and tried to fall back asleep wanting nothing more then to wake up and find her self back in her mothers loving arms.

Cunningham apartment

12:30 a.m.

Hours passed and Rebecca sat by the phone, and listened for the door holding on of Molly’s dolls hopping that anything would happen. When the door bell rang in a Rebecca leapt to her feet and ran flinging it open, only to find two very sorry looking bears, Baloo was twisting his hat out of shape in his hands, and Kit looked as if he him self was about to shed a tear, she had never seen them this bad before, she had seen Baloo nervous or sad, but never like this, and Kit she had seen him a few times this upset mostly after she had given him a stern talking. This wasn‘t what she wanted to see, not now, not at this time. She wanted to see her little girl hugging Baloo, as he held her in his arms, she wanted to see Molly on Kit‘s back laughing, what she was looking at made things worst as she could only come up with one reason these two would look so bad. “Look Becky.” first words out of Baloo’s mouth and Rebecca fell to her knees thinking the worst.

“No not my baby, please don’t tell me she’s gone.” In a heart beat Baloo knelt down to Rebecca and held her close.

“Listen Becky will find her I swear, we’ll find her and I’ll break every bone in the body of the people that have taken her, you have my word on that. No one is going to hurt Molly and get away with it.” Baloo’s arms tightened around Rebecca as he closed his eyes, while Kit stood in awkward silence not really knowing what to do, but as the two adult gained them selves a little more they both pulled him into their hug. The three stayed there for several moments before Rebecca looked up at Baloo with a slight smile.

“You… you haven’t found her yet.” with that Baloo shook his head.

“That means there is still a chance.” with that Baloo looked at Rebecca and then smiled slightly.

“That’s right.” with that Baloo stood up, and then helped Rebecca to her feet. “And as long as there is a chance, I’m not giving up.” with that Baloo turned to go out for another round of searching, and Kit started to follow but was stopped when Rebecca put her hand on his shoulder.

“No Kit, you stay here and get some sleep.” with that Rebecca grabbed her coat, following after the pilot, leaving Kit standing at the front door slightly torn between going after the adults, or remaining behind. He then realized that he didn’t have much of a choice, since if he left there would be no one there if Molly would happen to return.

In a dark ally somewhere in the city

A copy of the afternoon addition of the Cape tribune blew across the dark streets, shifting with the wind until a foot landed on it. On the page was missing person’s add that Rebecca had paid top dollar earlier in the day with a picture of Molly. As the foot shifted slightly a hand reached down and pulled the paper quickly off the ground, only to moments later to wad it up and throw it to the ground. The figure remained standing over the wadded paper for several minutes, before running when it was engulfed in light as a car slowly drove down the street. From the car came two voices both Rebecca and Baloo calling out and looking everywhere for Molly.

“MOLLY PLEASE IF YOU CAN HEAR ME SAY SOMETHING!!” Rebecca yelled, with tears in her eyes.

“COME ON BUTTON-NOSE GIVE US SOME KIND OF SIGN!!” Baloo pleaded, as they drove down the street, Once the car had passed the figure stepped out from it’s hiding place and then turned around and started to head for the bad part of town.

Docks

Molly was woken up abruptly when he cage was kicked against the wall, causing the young bear cub to start crying. “YOU WANT SOMETHING TO CRY ABOUT!?” Cold Hands Luke asked, as he looked at Molly. “Thank to your mother, getting you out of the city is going to be even harder then I thought.” with that Cold Hands shoved the paper through the cage, before he kicked the cage again sending it skidding across the floor, and slamming into the other side of the room. “If it wasn’t for the fact that I’m getting offered over 1 million yen for you, I would tie a rock to that cage and dump you in the harbor.” As Cold hand stormed off, Molly sobbed unable to calm down as she rubbed her arm where it hit the wall. As Molly laid down she curled up and started to remember what her mother used to sing to her, knowing that her mother still loved her was one of the few things that helped her during this terrifying time of her life, hopping that she would be back in her mothers arms really soon.

Cunningham apartment

As the doors opened to the elevator Baloo and Rebecca stood dead tired, but once they saw the Police at Rebecca’s front door talking with Kit, their spirits shot up again, hopping that the Police had better luck then them. “Oh good Mister, and Misses Cunningham.” The Police Vixen said, as she looked at Rebecca and Baloo. Both adults heard what lady said, but at that time they didn’t want to waist time in correcting her. “I am Detective Lupe.”

“Please to meet you, where’s Molly.” Baloo said, as he shook the officers hand, and then looked in the apartment.

“Mr. Cunningham I’m sorry to inform you of this but we haven’t been able to find your little girl just yet.” in a flash Baloo went through several emotions disappointment, sorrow, and then rage.

“THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE!?” Baloo yelled, as he shook the woman several times.

“Baloo enough I’ll handle this.” Rebecca said, as she broke Baloo’s grip on the officer and composed her self. “I’m sorry we’ve had a very long night.”

“I understand, you would be surprised how many times that happens, I’m sorry to inform you that we haven’t found your daughter yet, but in away that’s good news.”

“How is that good news?” Kit asked, as he looked up at the detective, who turned to him.

“We haven’t found her body yet.” Lupe’s partner said, getting reactions from everyone. Dread, and horror from Rebecca, rage, and anger from Baloo, shock from Kit, and irritated glare from the Detective.

“What my partner means is that, we have high hopes that your little girl will be found alive.” with that Rebecca nodded, and then watched as the Detective motioned for her partner to get into the elevator, what Rebecca wasn’t noticing was the evil, hate filled, ready to kill look Baloo was giving the officer. “Now the reason I’m here is because I need to ask you several questions.” with that Rebecca nodded, and walked the detective inside the apartment while Kit pulled Baloo away.

“What ya doing Kit.” Baloo said, slightly irritated at this point.

“I think I know of away we might have some luck finding Molly.” with that a big grin spread across Baloo’s face as he hugged Kit. “I haven’t even told you my idea yet Pa-pa bear.”

“Don’t matter Kit, every time you get an idea it always works out.” with that Baloo sat Kit down on the floor and smiled. “Alright lay it on me.”

“We go to the street pirates.” with that Baloo stuck his finger in his ear and tried to clean them out.

“Say that again?”

“We go to the street pirates, their the lowest group of guys in the city, they should know something, all we have to do is get the information.” with that Baloo nodded at Kit and then smiled.

“Li’l Britches you’re a genius.” with that Baloo and Kit went to the elevator and road it down only to see the Officer standing on the ground floor. One look from Baloo and the officer got to the squad car as fast as he could, while Kit tamed the temper of the still miffed pilot. Back up in the apartment Lupe sat down at the kitchen counter with Rebecca and opened her note book.

“Alright Mrs. Cunningham these are simple questions and I want you to take your time and think about them, Do you know of anyone that might want to hurt Molly?”

“No… she’s an angle, and as sweet as can be.”

“Do you know of anyone that might want to hurt you by using Molly?” with those words Rebecca set he cup of coffie down and started to think.

“Don Karnage, Muffy, and Buffy.” those are the only three I can think of right now. Lupe looked at Rebecca puzzled for a moment and then wrote down the names.

“Did you have a fight with Molly before she vanished?”

“No… I mean once and a while we’ll argue, but we always make amends.”

“Alright, most of the other questions you answered when you where at the station yesterday, right now we’re doing everything we can to find your little girl Mrs. Cunningham.”

“Is there anything you can suggest I do right now?” As Lupe looked at Rebecca she took a deep breath and then folded her arms.

“Ma-am I could loose my badge over this, but I want to tell you right now not to worry, we’ll get her back you have my word, and the chances for your little girl are very good right now.” It was Rebecca’s turn to give Lupe a funny look. “Listen I’m not aloud to tell anyone this, heck right now my supervisor still think it’s just some kind of urban legend going around, but recently we’ve had a string of criminals claiming that they had seen some kind of Ghost, swearing up, and down, that they got taken down by some kind of supernatural being. Everyone at the shop thought that the criminal element had started to use their own drugs, but two nights ago several of the night officers claimed seeing the Ghost, and from all the arrest we made that night on drug dealers, and muggers, made us start taking this Ghost seriously. Don’t get me wrong I don’t agree with what this Ghost is doing, taking the law into their own hands, but this is one of those times that I find my self hoping the Ghost get’s to the slim bag first. Being a single mother my self that is.” with that Lupe stood up, and looked at Rebecca. “Ma-am at this point and time what would be best is for you to stay here and listen for the phone, as well as wait to see if your daughter comes home. I’ll call you if anything comes to light.” with that Rebecca showed Lupe out of the apartment.

Street Pirate hide out

An hour later Baloo and Kit got outside the door of a run down bar, Kit looked at Baloo and smiled at the pirate get up he was dressed in, it reminded him of when him and Becky tried to pass for pirates to get out of pirate island. “Alright so we get in, and get the information. If any trouble starts, get close to me and keep your head down.” Baloo said, as he looked at Kit who nodded. As both bears stepped into the bar, they where expecting a scene of rough thugs fighting one another, or heavy drinking, but instead what they got was everyone in the bar was out cold, all except one person. In the center of the room was a chair with a weasel tied to it. “Wow… what happened here?” Baloo asked, as he walked up to the weasel who started to panic when Baloo touched him. “Easy man calm down I’m not going to hurt you.” Baloo said, as he started to untie the ropes. “What happened here?”

“It wasn’t normal, we didn’t even see it coming, first it asked… it asked nicely, it asked us and we all laughed, we didn’t think anything of it, but we where wrong, a demon, a curse, a Ghost, that‘s what it was a real life Ghost.” the weasel started to ramble and Baloo put his hand over it’s mouth.

“Alright man I get ya, a Ghost, but what was it asking about?”

“It wanted to know about a girl, a little girl by the name of Holly.” both Baloo and Kit looked at one another and then Baloo started to tie the weasel back up.

“What did you tell the Ghost?”

“Talk to Moe, trader Moe he knows about everything going in or out of the city if he doesn’t know then no one does.” with that Baloo nodded.

“Where can we find Trader Moe.” Baloo asked, and the weasel looked up at him and started to spill his guts not wanting to see what the big bear could do when he was angry. “Alright pale, thinks for the information.” with that Baloo walked away leaving the street pirate tied up. As the big bear looked down at the cub he noticed that Kit was holding something in his hands. “What you got there Li’l britches?” Kit looked up at Baloo and smiled slightly.

“I noticed that all the Pirate were asleep, but each of them had one of these stuck in them so I took one thinking it might come in handy.” Kit said, as he held up a thin needle like device.

“Well alright, but be careful, if one of those things put those goons under, who knows what it might do to you.” with that Kit looked at the tip of the needle and made sure to wrap it and put it in his pocket.

“Alright so now we go pay Moe a visit.” It was several more hours before Baloo and Kit arrived to almost the same scene from the hide out, his office was wrecked his goons on the floor and bullet holes in the wall near the door, but on the opposite side of the room there was Moe’s gun and what looked like a cog, with it’s teeth sharpened.

“We’re to late again.” Kit said, as he looked at the damage done.

“I can see that li’l britches, but the one person I don’t see is Trader Moe, his goons are here but he isn’t.” just then there came a noise from the filling cabinet. “Huh I guess we know where to look, but what do we look under?”

“How about S for slime.” Kit suggested, as he pulled the two needles from the noses of Moe’s goons. As Baloo opened one of the drawers Trader Moe sat up and looked at Baloo.

“Where is that bozo?” Trader Moe asked, as he looked at Baloo then at Kit.

“Hold on Moe, you’re the second person today that was attacked before we could even ask a question, but let me take a wild guess this person was asking about a little girl.” with that Moe looked at Baloo and nodded.

“Jerk asked me about anyone that was trying to smuggle children out of the city, I told the bozo I don’t trade in that, but I did tell him about a jerk that came in a month ago asking the same question.” in a flash Baloo was gripping Moe around the neck, and started to squeeze.

“TALK!”

“Jerk by the name of Cold hands, wanted me to nab some kid so that he could get paid in Panda-la Yen.” with that Baloo let Moe go.

“Cold hands.” Baloo looked like he was about to rip some ones arms off, as he stormed out of the torn up office. “I’ll rip his heart out if he so much as hurt a hair on Molly’s head.”

Docks.

Cold hands left his hideout, to go get something to eat. As he left Molly watched as something moved in the shadows, she started to tremble in the dark, she could faintly see a figure coming towards her, until finally she was able to see the figure clearly. Shade walked up and looked at the lock on the cage, as he started to use lock picking tools to get it open, Molly watched him very closely, she had never seen Shade masked, and at that time she didn‘t know if she could trust the person picking the lock to her cage. As lock popped open and Shade opened the cage he smiled at Molly. “Hey little one.”

“Shade, you found me.” Molly exclaimed, as she got out of the small cage and into Shade’s arms wanting to be held. After a few seconds Shade broke the hug from Molly and looked at her.

“ Time to go little one.” Shade said, as he helped Molly up to her feet only to watch her fall back down to her knees.

“I can’t walk, my legs hurt.” Molly wined, getting Shade kneel down beside her. Shade looked at her legs and smiled slightly, it wasn’t anything serious, Molly’s legs would be sore for a few days, side effect of being cramped inside a cage for so long.

“We have to go Molly, get on my back.” with that Shade looked at the way he had come in, and knew that he wouldn’t be able to get out the same way as he came in, the only way out was the same way Cool hands left, but as he headed for the door, it opened and he found him self standing in front of the grown polar bear, who for a few seconds didn’t know what was going on until his eyes narrowed and started to glare at Shade. On Shade’s back Molly started to whimper, and Shade took a few steps back and smiled at Molly slightly. “Hold on real tight Molly, and close your eyes.” Shade said, as he kept looking at Cool hands.

“I don’t knows who you are kid but, I knows your going to be very sorry.” Cool hands threatened, as he ripped a pipe off the wall, and started to storm up to Shade, only stagger back when Shade fired a stream of flame at him then throwing a manrikigusari wrapping around Cool hand’s feet. With Cool hands on the ground struggling to get free, Shade ran out of the room and down the block, though it didn’t take Cool hands long to get his feet untangled from the manrikigusari, and give chase but it was enough time to give Shade a head start.

Docks

An hour later Baloo and Kit rushed into Cool hand’s hide out, after finding out where it was, they looked around and only noticed the manrikigusari on the floor. “Oh come on we’re to late again.” Kit said, as he looked at the scene and noticed the small cage. Although Baloo had noticed it first, as he walked up and picked up the cage, noticing that it was a mess, Baloo growled for several moments as an image of Little Molly being crammed in the small cage.

“RRRRAAAAHHHHH!!!!” The Cage flew across the room and smashed against the wall, causing it to explode into peaces. “I’m going to remove his propeller and shove it up his…” Baloo stopped him self seeing the fear that he was getting from Kit, never seeing his Pa-pa bear this angry before. “Alright we’re late again, and we find another strange item, that tells me that the one that’s been one step ahead of us has been here and got Molly, We have to go tell Becky that Molly is in safe hands.”

“But how do you know that Baloo?” Kit asked, as Baloo left the hide out and followed after him.

“Because that chain in there is the same type I saw in the box that Rebecca put all Shade’s things in when she had him spend the night at her apartment.” As the two started to walk toward Rebecca’s apartment, Kit could still tell that Baloo was angry he had never seen the big bear so angry before, as he watched the Baloo he darted his eyes away everytime Baloo looked in his direction causing a since of uneasiness between the two until Baloo stopped and put a hand on Kit’s shoulder. “Listen Kit… what you saw back their I’m sorry… It’s just.” Baloo knelt down slightly and looked Kit in the eyes. “You and Molly, you mean a lot to me both of you, and for some one to hurt you or her it.” kit could see that Baloo was having a hard time trying to explain the angry he felt towards cold hands at that moment and smiled, as he wrapped his arms around the big bear.

“It’s O.K. Pa-pa bear, I understand.” Baloo smiled, as he wrapped his arms around Kit. Somehow the little bear always had away to make the big bear feel better in times that he needed him the most.

Cunningham apartment.

Shade had been avoiding Cold hands for a while, darting in and out of allies hiding in the shadows as the big bear stormed past them, he wasn’t about to let the brute put his hands on this innocent little girl once more. As Molly hugged Shade tightly he could hear her whimper softly into his back several times that day when she thought that Cold hands had them caught, and each time he made sure that he was ready to give the Brute the fight of his life. As the two finally made it to the elevator to Rebecca’s apartment building, Shade smiled as the door shut and he knelt down taking a breather as he looked at Molly over his shoulder. “Almost home little one.” Shade said, as he felt the elevator move.

“Shade?” Molly cooed, as she squeezed Shade’s shoulders. “Why did you leave yesterday?” the question struck a cord with Shade and he stopped looking at Molly, only to look at the floor.

“I… I can’t remain in a place for to long little one, I have to keep moving because there is so much to do and so little time to do it in.” Shade could feel Molly’s arms wrap around his neck as the little bear climbed up a little higher on his back.

“Do you help lots of people?” Molly asked, bringing a smile to Shade face.

“Some times.” As Molly burred her face into the back of Shade’s neck, Shade closed his eyes, as he forced him self to ask the question that he wanted answered. “Molly what was the mean man trying to do?” as he asked the questioned Molly started to cry a slightly as she hugged him tightly.

“He was going to sell me for lot’s of pens.” Shade listened to Molly, and thought for a moment.

“Molly do you mean Yen?” with that Molly hummed a yes, and Shade stood up straight. “He was going to sell you to some one from panda-la.” The question and answer session was cut short when the elevator doors opened. Shade walked out to Rebecca’s front door, and rang the bell. “Time to part again Molly.” Shade said, as he sat Molly down, and headed back to the elevator.

“Shade don’t go.” with that Shade stopped at the elevator, and turned to face Molly.

“I’m sorry little one… but a clash of honor calls me, and I must stand and fight where others have fallen before me.” Shade could see a sad expression on Molly’s face, and then smiled slightly. “Hey this isn’t good bye little one, I’ll be around promise.” with that Shade hit the button on the Elevator, as the doors started to close Shade saw Rebecca open her door, which he gave her a half salute with two fingers. Shade smiled as the Elevator started to go down, knowing that Molly was back into the loving arms of her mother made him happy, but as he thought about this he felt an anger growing inside of him, a rage of hate forming towards the person that had hurt the family so much. Molly was safe he didn’t have to run anymore, although he was, he was going after Cold hands, and the elevator dinged to mark it’s arrival to the ground floor Shade turned to face the doors and leave, but as they opened up he saw Cool hands for only a moment giving him only a brief second to reach up and try and stop one of cool hand’s massive right hand from grabbed his face, and slamming the back of his head into the elevator glass, causing Shade to go limp.

“Yous just cost me 1 million yen brat, and I’m going to take it out of your hide.” Cold hands said, as he flung the now out cold Shade over his shoulder, and started to walk away. Back up at the apartment Rebecca was holding Molly, walking around letting her little girl cry, as well as her self, on how happy they where to be back in each others arms. She made her way to the balcony to see if she might be able to see Shade leaving to try and thank him, but to her horror she did see him being carried away by Cold hands.

“Bad man.” Molly cried, as she held onto Rebecca even harder.

“Oh no.” A dark scene played out in Rebecca’s mind on what might happen to Shade. “Molly I need you to… BALOO!!” Rebecca yelled, at the top of her lungs seeing Baloo and Kit pulling up. “BALOO HE’S OVER THERE!!” Rebecca, yelled this time pointing at Cold hands, but due to the water fall no one could hear her.

“Hey look Miss Cunningham has Molly.” Kit said, as he got out of the car, and smiled as he pointed up at Rebecca.

“WHAT!?” a broad smile passed over Baloo’s face as he looked up at saw Molly. “Well what are we waiting for, let’s go see how she’s doing.” Baloo made a few steps before Kit grabbed his shirt. The young cub had noticed Rebecca trying to tell them something and pointing.

“Wait Baloo look she’s pointing at something.” Kit looked in the direction he could see Rebecca pointing only to see Cold hands walking on the bridge. “BALOO IT’S COLD HANDS!!” Baloo turned in the direction Kit pointed, and in a flash he was running right at Cool Hands.

“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE COLD HANDS!!” Baloo charged at Cold hands, who turned and looked at him with a smug smile.

“Great, guess I don’t get my revenge on ya kid.” As Cold Hands lifted Shade off his shoulder, Baloo stopped dead in his tracks not wanting Shade to get hurt, but as Cold hands threw Shade over the bridge, Baloo, Kit, and Rebecca yelled in unison

“NO!”

“See you later Baloo.” Cold hands started to runaway, only to be jerked back to the railing by his right hand. As he look over the side he sees Shade looking up at him hanging on to a thin metal strand that he had wrapped around Cold Hands wrist, he had slipped on Cold Hands back in the elevator. Before Cold hands could say anything Baloo ran up, and slammed him to the ground pulling Shade up to the railing like a pulley.

“I’m going to.” Baloo raised his first, and was about to deliver the most powerful punch he could into Cold hands face, only to be stopped as Shade grabbed his arm. “What are you doing, let me go.” Baloo looked at Shade for a few moments only to see the look of determination in the kid’s eyes.

“No, not you, I wont let you do it.” Shade said, as he looked at Baloo. “He’s scum, he’s a low life and by the code I would love to just let you get out all your anger on his face, but look around mister, look at those watching you, be the bigger bear, let the cops deal with this.” with that Baloo looked at Shade and then noticed Kit looking at him, was beating up Cold Hands really worth showing Kit a bad example? he then remembered the look Kit had given him back at cold hands hide out, a look that made Baloo feel like the lowest of the lows he didn’t want Kit to fear him, and he knew that if he lashed out on cold Hands like he wanted to then and there Kit would never look at him the same again. After a minute to think Baloo lowered his arm and stood up.

“Fine, the cops can have him.” Baloo stood up and looked at Shade, then turned back to Cold Hands. “but if you so much as look at Molly, or Rebecca, or my boy again I’ll turn your innards into outards.” Shade nodded and walked with Baloo away only to yank hard on a steel cable that was still attached to Cold hand’s wrist causing the grown bear to wince in pain as the thin wire around his wrist tightened and started to cut into his skin. “Hey now, what was all that about being the bigger person?” Baloo asked, confused as he looked at Shade.

“I’m a kid, I’m aloud to be petty and cruel.” Shade said, as he reached for Cool Hands right hand only to watch the big bear try and grab him, in a flash Shade pulled a small needle from around a wrist guard and stabbed it into Cold Hands hand knocking Cold Hands out. As Shade removed the wire from around cold Hand’s wrist he stood up and looked at Baloo “Now if you’ll excuse me.“ As he turned to leave Baloo noticed that the back of Shade’s mask was slightly red getting the big bear to grab him by the cuff of the neck and lift him off the ground.

“Not so fast short stuff… You helped us out, so the least you can let us do is patch you up.” Baloo said, as he looked at Shade. “And I’m not going to take no for an answer.” A few minutes later when the cops showed up and took Cool hands away, Baloo and Kit took care of the cops, telling a tale of how they where able to track Cool hands down, leaving out any details about Shade, who was up in the apartment getting doctored up by Rebecca, there was nothing really major just a bad bump on his head and several small cuts.

“This the first time you get hurt doing this?” Rebecca asked, as she took a cotton swap and started to doctor the cuts with alcohol.

“Not the first time, and it won’t be the last.” Shade said, as he winced a few times at the sting.

“You know you could just stop, I mean it’s not like this is really your job.” Rebecca said, as she looked at the damage done to Shade already.

“And if I step down ma-am, who would step up?” Shade said, as he looked over his shoulder at Rebecca.

“I don’t know, but at least you wouldn’t get hurt anymore.”

“You’ve known me for a few days ma-am, in that short period of time, you where mugged and your daughter kidnapped.” Shade stopped for a moment as if thinking if he should complete his statement, but as he held his looked forward to let Rebecca keep doctoring the cut’s on his head, she smiled slightly.

“Yes but also in that short period of time, you’ve been hurt twice, once with that bad cold, and now this. don’t you think that maybe your body is trying to tell you to stop, maybe that it’s time to let the police deal with these kinds of people.” Shade listened to Rebecca’s words and then took a deep breath and reached for his mask, only to have a kind hand reach out and take his. “Listen Shade, I really don’t want you to leave tonight, please spend another night have another warm meal.” with that Shade looked at Rebecca, he wanted to say no, he wanted to just put on his mask and leave, but something about the worried look on Rebecca’s face made him stop.

“I guess I could stay a while longer.” Shade said, as he looked at Rebecca. “For Molly’s sake.” A faint smile crossed Rebecca’s face as she looked at Shade.

“Thank you.” Rebecca said, just before she leaned down and kissed Shade on the cheek. Just then the front door opened and the two watched Baloo, and Kit walk in, tired as he walked in yawning.

“Hey Becky cops are gone.” Baloo said, as he looked at Rebecca, then looked at Shade. “And don’t worry we didn’t mention anything about you.”

“Thank you sir.” with that Shade stood up and then started to undo his right gauntlet, handing it over to Rebecca. “Until I leave.” with that Rebecca nodded and placed the gauntlet on her fridge.

“Alright you two time for some sleep.” Rebecca said, as she smiled at Baloo and Kit, then turned to Shade. “And just by looking at your ears, I can tell you’ve been up for a long time, so bed time.” Shade raised an eyebrow, and was about to say something, but was cut off when Baloo walked past and picked him up by his collar.

“Don’t bother kid, when she get’s that way there is no chance in arguing with her.” Baloo said, as he sat Shade on Rebecca’s couch and then crashed in her reclining chair. “Just go with it, trust me it’s easier on the ears.” Baloo said, as he put his flight cap over his eyes only to lift it up a little and looked at Shade.

“Ya did good kid.” This one compliment caught Shade’s attention just before Baloo lowered his cap and started to snore. Rebecca watched as Shade laid down on the couch and closed his eyes, as the young Fox curled up Rebecca smiled, and then turned and looked at Kit.

“Kit you should be getting some sleep as well, go and lay down while I fix everyone something to eat.” with that Rebecca walked off smiling into the kitchen, she didn’t notice that something was bothering Kit as she walked past him. As Kit walked into the living room the first person he saw was Shade laying down on Rebecca’s couch sleeping, as Kit looked at Shade he found him self, for some reason, not liking him. Hours past before Rebecca woke everyone up, sitting up Shade looked at the clock and shook his head.

“It’s late I should be going.” Shade said, as he got up and started to head for the door, only to have his exit blocked by Baloo.

“Not a chance short stuff, Becky took the time to fix us a hot meal and your going to sit down, and eat it.”

“I’m not hungry.” a grumble from his stomach got a smile on the big bears face, and shade to only shack his head. “Doesn’t matter, I have to go I need to.” before Shade said, anything else Baloo picked him up by the cuff of the neck and walked him into the dinning room. “I don’t want to hurt you sir put me…” Shade didn’t finish his protest as he was sat at the table and looked at all the food, as the smells filled him nose he couldn’t help his mouth from watering.

“Much better, now are you going to join us for this meal willingly, or am I going to have to tie you to that chair and let Becky spoon feed you?” Baloo threatened only to see Shade smiling at the food. “I guess he’ll stay here freely Becky.” Rebecca only smiled at how Shade seem to let his guard drop slightly as the food was handed out. As Shade sat at his spot listening to the rest of the group laughing and telling stories mostly to try and get Molly to laugh who was sitting in Rebecca’s lap not wanting to be away from her mother anymore then she had to be, Rebecca smiled at him.

“Hey remember how you and Becky stowed away on the sea duck when I went up against Panda-la.” Rebecca noticed a dark scowl cross Shade’s face, it was almost a complete turn around, one minute he looked like a normal child, the next he looked like he was ready to kill.

“Yeah those Panda’s didn’t know what hit them Pa-pa bear, you hopped on a rocket road it to the Sea duck and then got them to shoot them selves down.” Kit added only getting Shade’s scowl to darken Rebecca watched him closely.

“Yeah Ha, ha, Wan-lo was so angry he was hopping mad.” the conversation died when shade slammed his silverware down, and stood up.

“Please forgive me.” Shade looked up at Rebecca his eyes softened slightly as he forced a smile. “Your cooking is good as always ma-am, but I must leave, I have to be some where right now, and I just remembered where.”

“But you haven’t even heard how I survived the Panda-la royal palace blowing up.” Baloo laughed, as he looked at Shade. “If you where there you would have thought nothing would have been able to survive those rockets.” Shade shot Baloo a look that told Baloo that he needed to stop, a look that sent chills down the large bears spin.

“I must take my leave, thank you again, but I am needed else where.” with that Shade headed for the door, Rebecca quickly followed after grabbing Shade’s gauntlet, then ran to catch up with him. Once outside she saw Shade standing at the elevator, waiting for it to arrive, as she tapped Shade on the shoulder he turned and looked at her with a look that told her that he was being torn apart inside about something.

“Shade you forgot this.” As Rebecca handed shade back his gauntlet he looked at it for a second before he excepted it and started to put it on. “What happened Shade? was it something Baloo said, or maybe something he did.”

“He didn’t do anything, It’s what someone else did that is bothering me right now.” Shade explained, as the elevator arrived and Shade walked inside. “Right now ma-am I need to be alone, I… I just need to be alone.” those where the last words Shade said before the elevator closed and Rebecca remained standing in the hall.

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Flash back

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Years ago in Panda-la a two year old Shade slowly walked up to an old Panda who smiled and picked him up into his arms. “Ah my little wolf, have you been learning your lessons today?” Shade smiled at the elder Panda, and then demonstrated several fighting stiles. “Ah you are learning very fast my little Wolf warrior, now recite the code.” Shade stood for a moment as he looked at the panda. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten the code.” with that Shade shook his head, and then started to think.

“Warrior fights for what’s right, warrior defends the weak, warrior must always tell truth, and warrior must never do wrong.” As the young wolf pup looked up at the Panda he could tell that he wasn’t correct by the older Panda’s crossed arms and stern look being given to him.

“I know one warrior that might need a little help remembering the code, and he’ll get that reminder if he doesn’t say it correctly.” Shade gulped, as he slowly started to back away sniffling.

“No Pa-pa me been good.” Shade whimpered, as he started to cry softly. After a few moments the Panda knelt down and pulled Shade close, getting the little cub to cry a little harder, but as Shade looked at the elder Panda’s eyes he could tell that the stern look was gone, and was replaced by a softer look.

“I will give you until the end of the day, and if you fail to recall the code, then I will be forced to remind you.” with those words Shade nodded, as he sniffled slightly. After the elder panda hugged Shade he then sent him on his way to try and remember the code that he had forgotten. As the elder panda stood, smiling slightly, a female Panda walked up behind her husband and draped her arms around him.

“Must you be so hard on him Kouken?”

“I do not like to be Kang, but it was he who wanted to learn how to be a warrior, and that means he has to commit to it.”

“I know, but he’s such a good boy, and he has such spirit.” with that the Kang’s husband turned and smiled at her.

“I know he does my love, but as the ruler of Panda-la I knew that when I took him in as are son that his life wouldn’t be an easy one. Are civilization has always been the hidden warriors of good, we remain hidden until needed, and even then are warriors are taught to use the very shadows as their weapon.” with that Kang rolled her eyes, and shook her head.

“On the note of warriors and weapons, your war minister is waiting to talk with you again, I swear why you selected that ego maniac as your war minister I’ll never know, I swear he enjoys war to much.” with that Kang’s husband covered her mouth getting her to blush slightly.

“My beloved, Wan-lo only wants what’s best for Panda-la.”

“Well the next time he suggest world domination I’m going throw a dart at his head.”

(3 years later)

It was late at night, Shade was pulled from bed by Kang. “Mom what’s going on?”

“No time to explain honey, we have to run now.”

“Run? why?” Just then an explosion ripped through the royal house, causing Shade to jump to his feet and grab a sword.

“Carry Light Shade, we have to go now.” Kang looked at her son her faced filled in fear, but her eyes filled with pride seeing that his training over the course of four years hadn’t been wasted. As the two ran from the royal home, Shade looked back and noticed that it was only to royal palace burning, at the hands of the royal army.

“Mom what’s going on? Where is father?”

“He’s holding firm Shade, he’s holding ARGH!” Shade turned back and watched as his mother fell with an arrow in her back. As he ran to her side, Kang pushed him away. “Forget about me Shade, you have to run, save your self,… hold true to the code, hold true to the honor of Panda-la hold true to what are people truly stand for.” with that Shade looked up at his burning home, and then down at Kang who was slowly standing up. “Run my little wolf, run far and run fast, keep the sun to your back and don’t stop, until you can no longer run, then on that day turn and fight.” with that Kang turned Shade around and sent him running, as she turned to face Panda-la troops heading right at her. “YOU WANT ME COME AND GET ME!!!”

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Present day

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Shade was brought back to the present as he heard the elevator doors ding, as he stepped out and looked up at the night sky he started to walk towards the city putting on his mask. “Never again, I wont let anyone get hurt because of me again.”

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auther notes

I’m kind of scared to ask this question but what do you think so far?

Tune in next time when a new plant at the office causes are favorite Cloud Kicking Ace to be put in Rebecca’s arms, while Shade and Baloo deal with an island of killer plants, to get Kit a cure before it’s to late, but what test must be taken before ether one of them are aloud to even walk in the forest of the Cundarian island.