(Signs of war)

In the middle of Thembrian harsh landscape Shade sat next to Kit keeping a close eye on the young cub, while looking at Molly, who he had wrapped in his trench coat, every few minutes. He had kept his flame thrower on low throughout the night, it had kept them warm, but he had spent most of his fuel cartridges, and he was now finding himself down to the final cartridge. As he saw the sunlight coming through the opening of the cave Shade smiled slightly knowing that the temperature would start to rise again slightly. As Kit let out a minor moan Shade turned, and smiled knowing that Kit was finally starting to wake up from the blow to the head. He then quickly made his smile vanish as he watched Kit’s eyes start to open. “Welcome back to the land of the living.” Shade said, as Kit started to reach up and touch the throbbing spot of his head. “You have a bad bump on your head.” Shade said, as he grabbed Kit’s hand before he could touch the spot.

“Let go of me, I can take care of myself.” Kit said, as he jerked away from Shade, and then reached up a little too fast to the spot letting out a scream of pain when he hit it, waking up Molly. As he balled up slightly on the floor, and started to shed some tears, Molly got up, looked at Kit, and then at Shade.

“What happened?” Shade looked at Molly with a slightly amused look on his face.

“Tough guy.” Looking at the little girl for a moment knowing that this wasn’t the best time to point out Kit’s mistake to Molly. Shade took a deep breath and smiled. “I got tired of waiting for him to wake up so I slapped the bump on his head.”

“That was mean Shade.” Molly said, as she walked around, and looked at Kit’s head. “You shouldn’t be mean to him, he’s hurt.”

“I’m a mean person sometimes, now if we are quite done here we need to find away to a town or something.” with that Shade stood up, looked down at Kit, and Molly giving them both a very serious look. After a few minutes the three emerged from the cave, and started to head in a random direction. As Molly went forward laughing as she threw the snow up into the air Kit walked up beside Shade.

“Why didn’t you just tell her the truth?” Kit asked, as he kept an eye on Molly.

“Because you’re her older brother Kit, she needs to be able to look up to you, and right now her faith in you is what’s going to get her through this.” with that Kit looked at Shade, and nodded a few times before getting hit in the head with a snowball.

“HEY!” Kit yelled, as he looked at Molly who was laughing a few feet away.

“She should reserve her energy, we don’t know how far the nearest homestead is, let alone the nearest radio.” Kit looked at Shade for a moment, as Shade kept walking forward, Kit picked up a snow ball, and took careful aim. “If you don’t want a matching lump on your head I would think twice about throwing that.” with that Kit dropped the snowball not wanting to test Shade’s threat seeing that he did still have several weapons at his disposal. Hours past Molly calmed down, and started to just stay close to the two boys holding onto Kit’s sweater.

“I’m cold.” Molly complained, as she looked up at Kit who stopped, and looked down at her.

“Shade we should find some cover so that we can rest.” Kit couldn’t help but see why many criminals as well as police feared him, his cloths and red goggles made for a very scary figure from a distance as the snow blew around Shade, and he could only imagine what he looked like in the dark streets of Cape Suzette.

“Kit let Molly climb under your sweater, and give her a piggy back ride.” Shade said, as he turned and started to walk on.

“But we need to find shelter.” this statement from Kit only got Shade to raise his arms up, and motion to the area around them.

“If you haven’t noticed yet Kit we are in the middle of nothing, there is no shelter in sight, and if we stray from our current course we will get even more lost.”

“Well don’t you have something in all your tricks that can help us?” Kit asked, as he looked at Shade who lowered his arms to his side, and looked at Kit while Molly started to climb under his sweater.

“Sure I do, let me just pull out my instant ghost tent in a can… oh darn I forgot to pack it, wait how about my instant ghost plane spray. You’ve been listening to way to many radio programs Kit, if you think I have a device for every situation.” Shade then turned, and started to walk again. Kit started follow slightly irritated at Shade’s comments then smiled slightly as Molly giggled.

“Do you have Boat in a tube?” Molly asked, getting Shade to stop in his tracks, and look back at Molly giggling only to smile as he started moving again.

“Sure I do kiddo, I even have shark repellant spray.” As the three kept going Shade joking about some of the rumors that had started on the Ghost, helping them keeping their spirit high, while deep inside himself he didn’t know if they were going to make it out of this if they didn’t find shelter soon. While back at the Thembrian prison Rebecca was getting worst as she kept pacing back and forth, as Baloo kept trying to break down the cell door.

“LET US OUT OF HERE YOU SHORT EGO MANIAC!!!” Baloo yelled, as he slammed into the Cell once more. “I swear if anything happens to those kids I’ll.” Rebecca put a calming hand on Baloo as she smiled slightly.

“They’ll be alright Baloo, Kit is very resourceful, and Shade.” Rebecca stopped, as she turned her head away from Baloo kicking herself slightly mentioning Shade, knowing that Baloo and he didn’t get along nearly as well as he and Kit got along.

“That kid won’t rest until we have are kids back.” Baloo said, as he gently moved Rebecca’s head so that their eyes met.

“I thought you didn’t like Shade?”

“A Kid that did what he did for are boy, I could never stay angry with… but right now we have to get out of here.” Just then the prison block door opened and Spigot came walking up holding a brief case.

“I have good news for you two.”

“You’re going to let us go?” Baloo said, hopefully.

“Oh no, no, no. Of course not, seeing that you have brought back are statue the people have decided to let you choose your wood.” Spigot opened the case and showed the two adults 3 samples of wood.

“Wait a minutes aren’t we going to get a trial?” Rebecca asked, and Spigot shook his head.

“Threatening an officer of the peoples air force results in an instant firing squad.” Spigot said, with a grin on his face.

“Wait Firing squad? Then why are we choosing wood?”

“We just started it, first your shot, then you’re hung, and then you’re burned.” As Spigot smiled at the thought Baloo and Rebecca turned pail. “May I recommend the hickory, it gives you a nice smell when it’s all done.”

“YOU’RE SICK!” Rebecca yelled, as she hid behind Baloo, and started to weep thinking about the fate of their children.

“Come now we need to know soon, your day of execution is in two days.” Spigot was getting slightly irritated as he looked at the two. “It’s bad enough they won’t put you on this was your life.”

“Fine I choose this.” Baloo said, as he took the hickory sample and hit Spigot over the head with it. Elsewhere Shade walked on ahead of the other two, he had given up his trench coat to them to make sure they stayed warm, while he kept a look out for shelter.

“Do you see anything?” Kit asked, as he squeezed his eyes shut to try and make Shade out from everything else.

“Sure I see something.” Molly answered as she curled up on Kit’s back with his sweater and Shade’s trench coat over her.

“What do you see Molly?” Kit asked, stopping in his tracks.

“Snow.” Kit rolled his eyes and started to walk again only to notice that he could no longer make Shade out.”

“HEY I CAN’T SEE YOU ANYMORE!!” Kit called out, as he kept walking forward only following Shade’s footsteps, until he and Molly fell into a hole and started to slide in an underground ice tunnels. “WO!!!”

“YIPPY!!” Molly cheered as they kept sliding, after a few minutes Kit could see the end of the slide and Shade at the bottom slowly getting up.

“LOOK OUT!!” Shade looked up in just enough time to have his legs taken out from under him, causing him to do a flip and land hard on his back, while Kit and Molly slid into a pile of snow. “That was some ride wasn’t it Molly.” Kit said, as he stuck his head out of the snow, and shook off some loose flakes.

“Yeah… let’s do it again.” As Molly looked at Kit she smiled, and then looked at Shade, who was still on the ground. “Shade?” there came no response as Kit got out of the snow and carried Molly over to Shade who was still flat on his back.

“Hey Shade are you alright?” Kit asked, as he looked at Shade hopping that he hadn’t broken anything.

“Put Molly down.” Shade said as he opened his eyes slowly and looked at Kit.

“Sure need help?” Kit asked, as he let Molly out from under the cloths but then found his legs swept out from under him causing him to land on his back. “OW!!… WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?!”

“You had your fun, now I had mine.” Shade helped Kit back to his feet and the two glared at one another for a few seconds before letting go of each other’s hands. As Shade walked away Kit noticed that he was walking stiffly as if something was wrong with his back.

“Are you O.K.? I mean you didn’t land to hard did you?” Kit asked, as he watched Shade walk.

“I’ll be fine, but right now we have to move.” Kit looked at Molly who kept looking at Shade with a worried look on her face.

“Fine just give me a few minutes to get Molly on my back again.” with that Shade nodded and waited as Kit let Molly climb back under the cloths and started to carry her again. “So why are you in such a rush to move anyhow?”

“Because during are walk today, at any time did you hear a plane?” Shade asked, as he kept moving.

“No.” Kit looked at Shade for a second and then got his meaning. “Maybe they went a different direction today, they could be looking in the wrong area, that doesn’t mean they crashed.” Shade stopped and looked at Kit.

“Not what I meant, and you shouldn’t be saying such things.” Shade motioned to Molly on Kit’s back who now looked worried for another reason. “Your parents are alive, Baloo is too stubborn to die, and your mother would lecture Death on how to conduct its job to the point that it would never come near your family again.” Shade said, as he walked up and lifted Molly’s chin. “Their fine I know that much, their up in the sky looking for you two as we speak.” Shade turned and started to walk ahead once more.

“And what about you, I’m sure Rebecca will be glad to find you.” Shade stopped in his tracks and clinched his fist slightly, then started to move once more.

“This is not the time, nor is it the place for this talk Kit, so please save it until we get to the surface.” having Shade dictate to him on anything was pushing him to his limits on dealing with Shade, and he saw it as a threat.

“You know what, why are we following you? I mean it’s not like you know where you’re going anymore then we do.” Kit stopped walking and just looked at Shade who kept moving forward.

“Keep moving, the exit is just a few meters away.”

“And how do you know that?”

“Because, oh annoying one, if you haven’t noticed we’ve been walking on the path with the most snow on it, which means that the snow has blown through here last night, and most of it landed on the way in, therefore we are heading to the exit as we speak, the more snow on the path the closer we are to the exit.”

“You just made that up.” Kit accused, as he started to follow Shade once again, after what seemed like an hour the three emerged at an opening that over looked at small Thembrian town. “I take it back.” Kit said, as he looked at Shade.

“Don’t bother.”

“No I mean it, you are trying to help and I was acting like I jerk.”

“No I mean don’t bother because I really was making that up back there.” Shade said, as he started to head for the town, leaving Kit in shock while Molly giggled slightly.

“You did? But then what would have happened if we didn’t find an exit.”

“I would have made up something else to explain it, just so you didn’t stop moving, the one thing I do know is that if we stop moving frost bite will set in sooner, as long as Molly is next to your body and covered by those extra lays she’s safe, but you and me, we have to keep moving. If not for our own sake, then for Molly’s.”

“Wow… I think I read that line somewhere before.” Kit said, as he caught up to Shade who smiled at him slightly.

“I have looked at a comic or two in my life time.” As the three started to reach the town Kit smiled as he saw smoke coming from it.

“Well at least will be warm.” Kit said, as he looked at Shade.

“True and if they have a few parts I might be able to make a radio, if they don’t have one here.”

“Careful you might break a Thembrian law.”

“Yeah like no playing in the snow.” Molly said, as she looked at Shade who smiled slightly.

“Shadow Law out ranks Thembrian Law.” Kit and Molly both looked at Shade funny at this statement, as he turned and gave them a slight smirk.

“What’s Shadow law?” Molly and Kit asked at the same time getting Shade to turn back to the town.

“I’ll tell you some other time.” They had gotten close to the town by now, and Shade had noticed something was wrong, there was smoke but not coming from any smoke stack, there was no one around, as he looked up at the sun he could see it was near mid day and there was no one out, no sound what so ever. “Kit stay here with Molly, something isn’t right here.” Kit stopped in his tracks, he wanted to follow Shade to find out what he meant but with Molly on his back he didn’t want to risk his future sister’s well being. As Shade walked into the town Kit waited and listened for anything, after a 20 minutes of nothing he was about to go in after Shade only to watch Shade come walking out holding something in his right hand.

“What’s going on?” Shade only looked at Kit and then at Molly.

“We have to find cover, let’s head back to the tunnels and will stay there for the night.” With those words Shade started to head back to the caves, leaving Kit to look at the town and then at Shade.

“Now wait a minute we walked all this way and now we’re going to walk back?”

“I’ll explain later Kit, right now we have to move.”

“No way, I want some answers and I’m not moving another step until I get them.” Shade looked at Kit for a minute and then walked back and whispered something into his ear so that Molly couldn’t listen. When Shade stopped he gave Kit a stern look and got the older boy to look around before moving towards the cave, the two ran as fast as they could back towards the cave Kit looked at Shade as the young wolf started to pass him. “So how bad was it?”

“Bad the town’s a mess and the fire that we saw was the largest building the doors blocked on the outside so that no one could get out, the town’s been destroyed, and right now even if I found a radio I wouldn’t use it in fear of calling back those that did it.”

“But how do you know it was them?” with that Shade opened his right hand so that Kit could see a patch off of a uniform of a Hauser he had found on the streets of the town.

“Wild guess.”

“But why would they do such a thing.”

“We can discuss that later after we step away from Molly.” An hour later as Molly sat wrapped up in Shade’s trench coat both boys stood at the opening of the cave looking at the town and watched as the smoke slowly died down. “It’s the work of the Hauser.”

“But why?”

“They want to rule the world.”

“But how do you know that?” Kit asked, as he looked at Shade who said nothing as he closed his eyes, and thought back to the days of being with the Night Witches.

********

Flashback

********

Shade lay in his cot in the Night witch hanger and smiled as Barbra came walking up to him. “Shade story time.” Barbra said, as she smiled at him. “So what would you like to hear tonight? Military tactics? Flying tricks? Or maybe one of the Night Witch’s mission reports?” Barbra had noted that Shade wasn’t like normal children his age, he didn’t like the normal bed time stories, but in a way she didn’t care since he hung on every word she said.

“Hauser.” Shade said flatly, as he looked at Barbra, getting a rather surprised look from his mentor.

“Now where did you hear that name?” Barbra said, as she smiled and tried to change the subject.

“From you and the others… who are they?” with that Barbra cleared her throat for a second and then started to look around not knowing if she should tell him who the Hauser was.

“It’s just some extremist group causing some trouble, nothing to really worry about.”

“But you’re always on the lookout for them… why?” Barbra looked at Shade for a moment and smirked slightly.

“So they don’t get to big for their britches like a certain little pup I know, now choose something else or no bed time story tonight.” Shade pouted at this and turned his back to Barbra, as he rolled over. “So that’s it, you don’t want a bed time story tonight?”

“I want to know my enemy.”

“Your enemy? Now what makes you think that the Hauser group is your enemy.” Shade turned back over and looked up at Barbra.

“I’ve heard you talk, I’ve listened to the reports you give the others, this group isn’t just some kind of small group of trouble makers their organized, or as you said “a threat to the entire world if they get to powerful.” Barbra looked at Shade for a moment, and then scowled slightly towards him getting him to gulp slightly, knowing that he had just admitted to a major no, no. He was never allowed to listen in on the crews’ daily briefs because he didn’t have clearance.

“Alright young man you want to learn about the Hausers I’ll tell you about the Hausers.” with that Barbra grabbed Shade and put him over her knee.

“What? What I do.” Shade looked over his shoulder at Barbra who was giving him a stern look.

“Oh don’t you dare give me that young man, you know darn well what you did, and if you want to learn so bad tonight then I’ll gladly teach you, not only about the Hausers but also the penalty for little boys who think it’s alright to spy on adults.”

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

“Hey Shade you still with us?” Kit asked, as he waved his hand in front of Shade’s face.

“Yeah.” Shade said, as he opened his eyes and looked at the town. “I learned about the Hausers from a woman by the name of Barbra, leader of the Night Witch squadron.” with that Shade turned and walked back to Molly who was taking a nap, As he knelt down he pulled his trench coat up a little higher around her chin to keep the cold air from seeping in and giving the little girl a cold.

“Night Witch? I’ve never heard of them.”

“It was a group of female fighter pilots.” with that there was a pause before Kit started to laugh.

“Are you kidding a woman fighter pilot is crazy enough, but a group of them?” As Kit kept laughing he didn’t notice Shade standing up, he didn’t notice Shade walking up to him, but he did notice the fist moments before he was given a black eye.

“Learn a few things fast Kit, one don’t ever laugh about people from my past, and two there is no such thing as a weaker sex.” As Kit stood up he was ready to brawl with Shade until he looked into Shade’s eyes, he could see that what he had done did cross a line and the fact that Molly was now looking at the two boys scared.

“Why are you two fighting?” Molly asked, as she sniffled a few times.

“We aren’t fighting Molly.” Kit said, as Shade turned to face her.

“Yeah Kit just needed some help with a lesson.” with that Shade smiled softly at Molly then turned around, walked past Kit towards the entrance, and knelt down keeping a close eye out for anything approaching them. “We’ll rest here for tonight.”

“But its only noon we can keep moving.”

“And find are selves in the middle of nowhere by the time night sets in, right now we have shelter, I’m going to go back into town and see if I can get any supplies, I want you two to stay here, and out of trouble if I’m not back by nightfall wait until morning and then get away from here, get as far away from her as you can, and don’t stop until you ether find you selves back with Rebecca and Baloo, or back in Cape Suzette.” His words were stern, his tone as cold as ice, as he stood up and started to leave. “Protect her Kit, at any cost you protect your little sister.” An hour later as Shade started to enter the town, slowly moving up to it all the way and keeping an eye out for anything, he started to walk the streets finding it to be a small war zone, there was Thembrian soldiers on the ground as well as Hausers, but it was clear on which side won this battle. As he kept looking at the main building seeing that certain shapes through the flames told him what the Hausers did after they took control of the town. As he started to make his way around he found woods, and some discarded cans of food lying around what looked to be the town’s market, he gathered these items up, as his mind started to fill with the images of what took place, only hours before they had stumbled across it. By some of the cloths that the people was wearing it was clear it happened early morning, the Hausers stormed in and attacked from the east, when the Thembrian military of the town ran to defend the their town they found themselves outnumbered if not outclassed, by the remains of the radio tower it was clear that it was taken down early in the battle, the radio building and pole was burned while the top of the pole laying a few feet away seemed almost untouched. As he walked through the homes of the people, he saw breakfast still on the table, in some the pots where still boiling over with gruel. It was early morning alright, once the Thembrian military of the town was defeated the Hausers wasted no time and grabbed the people from their homes, in a few of them it looked like they found themselves in more fights, only to put an end to it with gun fire. As Shade walked into what looked to be a child’s bedroom he looked around at the Thembrian toys, as his mind started to see a child playing with these toys, and parents smiling watching their offspring, happy to be a part of a loving home. Shade smashed the toy on the ground and stormed out of the home, his blood was bumping as he stormed across town, now he wanted to be found, he wanted to see one if not more Hausers, he wanted to make them pay for what they had down to these people, he wanted to make them pay for what they had been doing. He stopped looking for them when he noticed that the sun was starting to go down, and the fire of the main building was now smoldering. Shade looked into the burning embers and could see the figures from before so much more clearly. He knew what the Hausers had done before he could see the figures in the remains of the building. As he looked at the image for several minutes he turned away as his mind started to echo screams that had long died out. He was angry, he wanted to get the monsters back but as the screams filled his ears his sorrow grew. His sorrow soon turned to hate but not towards the Hausers, this time it was himself that he hated, he hated the fact that he wasn’t able to stop this, but most of all he hated the fact that there had been so much life loss. As he carried the supplies back to the cave he lets the tears run down his face and freeze to his mask, as he walked into the cave he set the supplies out made a fire and then walked away leaving Kit and Molly to eat while he sat in the darkness. After several minutes Molly nudged Kit and pointed to Shade, getting Kit to look at Shade confused.

“Hey Shade aren’t you going to eat?”

“I’m not hungry.” Kit motioned for Molly to keep eating as he walked up sat down next to Shade. He knew something was really bothering Shade, and even though he didn’t like the kid, he wasn’t about to just turn his back on him.

“What did you see?” Shade turned his head away from Kit, not wanting to tell him what he had seen in the town. “Shade how bad was it?”

“Their dead, that’s bad enough.” Kit didn’t move for several minutes before he put a comforting arm around Shade.

“Hey come on it’s going to be alright, we’ll find Baloo and Ms. Cunningham and then we’ll get out of here.” Shade didn’t look at Kit as he took a deep breath.

“Kit.”

“Yeah?”

“Use that line on Molly, not me.”

“What?… it didn’t work?”

“I’m not a part of your family, trying to give me hope about finding your parents doesn’t work all that well.”

“Well you could always ask them, I’m sure Rebecca would adopt you.”

“You want a matching pair?” Kit was slightly confused by this question, as he looked at Shade.

“A matching pair? A matching pair of what?”

“Of black eyes.”

“I would love to see you try.”

“You’ll only see it once.” Kit smiled, as he looked at Shade. It was like arguing with a little brother, or a good friend as he started patting Shade on the back.

“Come on, you have to eat something.”

“Oh I’m about to, if someone doesn’t stop hitting my back.” with that Kit stopped and then looked at Shade’s shirt, it was slightly discolored on the back.

“What did you lay down in?” kit’s voice was filled with concern as he started to rub his fingers together from what was on Shade’s back.

“Nothing.” Noticing the concern sound in Kit’s voice Shade got up, and walked over to Molly. “Come on Kit, your right I should eat something.” Later that night as Kit and Molly slept Shade went back to the village and started to do something to easy his own mind. Elsewhere Rebecca laid next to Baloo holding onto the big bear as he wrapped his arms around her. She was having trouble sleeping thanks to Baloo’s snoring, but even without that she would still find it hard to sleep with the looming shadow of death over her. Every time she closed her eyes, she would see Kit and Molly huddled together out in the open freezing, she could hear Molly clearly telling Kit that she wanted her mommy, no matter how much Rebecca wanted to be there to take them into her arms, and keep them warm she couldn’t touch them. She would try, but her hands would keep passing through them, and in horror she would watch them slowly turn to ice. She always woke up after seeing them solid ice always scared to go back to sleep after she had calmed down.

“Don’t worry young’uns Ol’ Papa bear is coming, ain’t nothing going to stop me.” Baloo mumbled as Rebecca looked up at him. As she looked at the big bear she smiled, knowing that if they got out of this mess soon, he would be her husband, he had his faults but Baloo had a big heart. As she looked at him she saw so many good things about him, but would never tell him before as she laid her head against his chest. She smiled as she listened to his heart beat, it calmed her nerves down, as she closed her eyes once more, hopping that she would be able to get the image of the children out of her mind. She was wrong, as she closed her eyes for the fifth time that night a new image appeared, standing in the middle of a dark space was Shade, his back turned to her.

“Shade where are you?” No response as Rebecca walked up behind him and tried to touch him to find that she could, as she turned him around and only his cloths remained. “Shade?”

“How many times do I have to tell you to keep your distances, to leave me alone, to stay away.” Shade’s voice echoed in the dark void that Rebecca stood in, she turned every which way to find where it was coming from.

“But you’ve helped us several times, we just want to be your friends.” Shade appeared beside Rebecca looking at her.

“Why?… Why care for me?… Why risk everything for me?” Rebecca looked at Shade, and tried to touch him only to watch him vanish into a smoke.

“Because you’re doing too much, you’re taking on a burden that isn’t yours to take on.” Rebecca explained hopping the answer would be enough for Shade.

“Why you?”

“Because you’ve helped my family many times, please let us help you.” Shade appeared out of smoke next to Rebecca.

“And if helping me risks your family‘s well being, would you still try and help me?” Shade asked, Rebecca turned to look at him. “Is my life really worth your families?” Rebecca knelt down to Shade this time not trying to touch him thinking that he would only turn back into the smoke. “My family means a lot to me more than anything in the world.”

“Then why risk them for me?”

“Because I don’t think I am risking them for you.” with that Shade vanished leaving Rebecca to look around wondering where he had gone.

“That would be where you are wrong.” As Rebecca opened her eyes she found herself back in the cell, listening to Baloo’s heart beat, as she sat up slightly she could see the sun was starting to come up, remembered Spigots statement the day before she laid back down on the big bear and closed her eyes as her fears started to wash over her again. Elsewhere Kit was woke up by Molly who was walking around looking for Shade.

“SHADE WHERE ARE YOU!?” Molly cried out, as she started to head deeper into the cave.

“Molly don’t.” Kit said, as he ran up and grabbed Molly. “You could get lost, I’m sure Shade is somewhere.”

“He’s behind you.” Shade said, as he stood at the entrance of the cave. As Kit and Molly both turned and looked at Shade they could tell that his cloths where a mess covered in black soot, and dirt, from head to toe.

“What have you been doing?” Kit asked, as he walked up to Shade who only turned, and started to walk.

“Get Molly we’re moving out now.” Kit was about to protest but Molly started to run after Shade before he could say anything. As the three started to make their way past the village, Kit noticed something strange. As he stopped, and looked between two destroyed buildings, he noticed that inside the village there seemed to be markers all over the place. Kit looked at the markers then turned to Shade who was still walking with Molly, and figured out why Shade was so dirty. “Keep moving Kit, your falling behind.” As Kit followed, his mind raced with millions of questions now about the younger child before him, and when he figured out one answer it seemed like hundreds popped up in its place. As the three made their way across the frozen waste land of Thembria, Shade kept looking up into the sky and scanning the landscape around them. He was on edge looking for something, and Kit had a good idea on what it was.

“You're looking for the Hausers that ransacked that town aren’t you?” Shade looked at Kit and then nodded as he kept moving. “And what are you going to do when you find them, if you haven’t noticed there is no cops around here, you can’t just tie them up and leave them to freeze.”

“I’ll hand them over to Thembrian justice.”

“Alright, and what if you can’t take them on? What if it’s a small army? Do you really think you could beat them all.”

“If that’s the case, then I’ll sabotage their equipment, I’ll rig their guns to exploded, I’ll set fire to their ammunition.” Shade’s words sent chills down Kit’s spin as he looked at the younger boy.

“You’ll kill them if you do that, are you willing to take their lives?” with Kit’s question Shade spun around and slammed the bear to the ground holding tight to the collar of Kit’s sweater.

“They killed those people back there, men, women, and children. Why should I show them anymore mercy then what they showed those people, as they watched that building burn with them trapped inside Kit? Why should I show them anything more than what they showed those families?” Shade let go of Kit and started to walk once more, leaving Kit in shock as Molly ran up to him.

“Because you’re the good guy.” Molly said, as she looked at Shade getting him to stop in his tracks and look at her. “The good guy isn’t supposed to be bad, their supposed to uphold the law, to be better than the bad people.” As Molly spoke tears started to run down her check, Shade was scarring her, she had never seen him this way before. “You're supposed to be better than them Shade, you’re supposed to be the good guy.” Shade looked away from Molly and kept walking on.

“Keep moving we’re wasting time.” As Kit watched Shade push forward, he cleaned Molly‘s face so that her tears didn‘t freeze.

“What’s wrong with Shade?… Why is he being so mean?” Molly asked, and Kit gave her the best smile he could as he picked her up.

“He’s just not himself right now kiddo.”

“Well who ever he’s being tell him to stop; I want the nicer Shade back.” As Molly pouted, Kit looked at Shade, who wasn’t waiting for them.　

“So do I Molly.” As the three kept moving Kit didn’t say much as he kept watching Shade leading the way. It wasn’t until Shade stopped moving half way up a hill. “What’s wrong?” Kit asked, as he caught up with Shade and looked over the top of the hill to see another village destroyed. “Why hasn’t Thembria started to go after the Hausers?”

“Because they don’t know that their being attacked, look at the radio tower.” Kit looked at where the Radio tower would have been and noticed that it was snapped in half.

“Their trying to get in deep so that they can take attack from within while their man force attacks from another location, their trying to make a diversion so that their main force doesn’t meet up with a full Thembrian military.” Kit looked at Shade as he spoke these words. Shade’s eyes were cold as he glared at the scene before him. “We have to keep moving, we have to find away to warn the Thembrian government before it’s too late.” As the three started moving once more they walked past the village, Kit noticed that Shade slowed down greatly as he passed the village.

“Shade I thought you said we had to keep moving?”

“We do.” With that Shade turned and walked into the village after a few minutes there came the sound of an engine firing up inside the town. As Kit and Molly ran into the village they found Shade sitting in a Thembrian transport vehicle. “Come on we can use this.” As the two ran up and climbed into the vehicle Kit looked at Shade with more questions now. ‘How did Shade know that the vehicle was in the village? and how did he know it would work?’ while these questions and more started to fill Kit’s thoughts, back at the prison Baloo and Rebecca was up walking around trying to find ways to buy sometime. “Hey Dundar ol’ buddy, why don’t you help me and Rebecca out, and just let us out of here?” Baloo asked, as he looked at Dunder who was now standing guard over the two.

“Oh I can’t do that Mr. Baloo, coronal Spigot would be really upset with me if I did, he’s really looking forward to your execution, though he is rather upset that there won’t be a “This was your life” at it.”

“Well then don’t let us escape, how about you let me and Becky go find are kids and then we’ll be right back, it might stall the execution long enough that they will be able to do a this was your life special.” Dundar seemed like he was thinking it over for a second as Rebecca walked forward swallowing the lump in her throat.

“Please Dundar, we just want to make sure are kids get to see this, I mean if you had kids would you want them to miss your execution?” The words made Rebecca sick, but she hopped that they would work in their favor.

“Oh no ma-am, but you promise to be back right.”

“Oh yeah scouts honor.” Baloo said, as he held up his right hand and took off his hat.

“Alright then but hurry back I’m only supposed to watch you for four more hours.” With that Baloo and Rebecca headed for the door. An hour later the two found the Sea Duck sitting in the Thembrian impound lot, as they ran to it from the right side Baloo smiled as he jumped into the pilot’s seat and started to reach for the switches but stopped, as he looked out the pilot side window.

“Oh no.”

“What?… What is it?” Baloo got out and looked at The Sea Duck, the left engine was missing as well as the flaps. “They’ve been tearing apart my baby.” Rebecca looked at the side of the plane and fell to her knees in tears as a rush of realization that they were not only trapped in Thembria, but that Molly and Kit was lost in the frozen waste land.

“We’re never going to see are children again are we?” Rebecca asked, as she looked at Baloo who knelt down to Rebecca.

“Now hold on Beckers, Kit is a smart kid, and Shade… well we don’t know much about Shade’s past but from what we have seen the kid can handle himself pretty good, with both of them working together little button-nose is going to be in good hands.” with those words Baloo helped Rebecca to her feet and the two got back into the Sea Duck hopping to buy some time as they try and come up with plan. It was after several minutes before they heard the alarm sound on the base of a prisoner escape. “Well looks like they’ve noticed we’re gone.” Baloo said, as he looked at Rebecca as they held one another inside the Sea Duck.

“We can’t stay here forever.” Rebecca held onto Baloo as the big bear started to look around the cargo hold.

“We need to find away to get out of here and start looking for the kids.” Baloo said, as he kept looking until he snapped his fingers as he started to hear something moving outside. “Alright Beckers here’s the plan.” As two Thembrian guards started to walk around the Sea Duck Baloo let the rear door open slightly getting one of them to climb in to investigate. After several minutes and a few muffled struggles his partner looked at the door funny.

“Hey Boras you alright.”

“No… something fell on me, get in here and give me a hand.” Baloo said, in a gruff voice getting the other Guard member to climb into the plan only to meet with the same fate as his partner, after several minutes Baloo and Rebecca emerged from the plane dressed as two Thembrian soldiers. “Alright Beckers just let me do all the talking and we’ll be out of here in no time.” As Baloo started to lead Rebecca to safety. Back in the wild Kit was keeping a close eye on Shade.

‘He’s stubborn, annoying, arrogant, and always saving the day making me look like a chump.’ Kit thought to himself as he looked at Shade. ‘Always so darn smart about everything, never finding anything hard, he’s too perfect, who wouldn’t want him as a son he could take my place in a heartbeat.’

“What you thinking about Kit?” Molly asked, as she looked at Kit shaking him from his thoughts.

“Oh nothing pig tails, just wondering when Shade’s going to find another way to save the day.” Shade looked over at Kit and then back to the road.

“We’re on a race against time to stop the Hausers from destroying the Thembrian capital, and you want to start this up again.”

“Well you always seem to find away, always one step ahead, always another trick up your sleeve or in one of those pockets of yours, and I’m just waiting for you to pull it out.” Shade glanced at Kit for a second and kept driving. “Come on how old are you really 34?”

“I’m nine.” Shade said, as his grip tightened around the steering wheel.

“Nine, a nine year old super smart crime fighter that also seems to know a lot about the world.”

“Stop it Kit your being mean.” Molly begged as she tugged on Kit’s sweater.

“No Molly not this time, I want answers, I want to know why he is the way he is.”

“Maybe I like my isolation?” Shade quipped as he looked at Kit. “Maybe I have other reasons so why don’t we leave it at that and you stop asking questions.” with that Kit grabbed Shade by the collar and pulled him from the steering controls, leaving Molly to jump at them and take over steering.

“WHY DON’T YOU JUST ANSWER THE QUESTIONS!?”

“Kit.” Shade said, calmly as he reached up and put his left hand on Kit’s arm. “You’re getting cranky, you should take a nap.” with that Shade lifted his left hand and hit Kit in the face with a green smoke from under his left wrist, as Kit fell to his knees he looked into Shade’s eyes, through his red goggles, and could see something in them a darkness that he hadn’t seen before, a cold forbidding darkness that spoke volumes to him. Once Kit was on the floor board a sleep Shade walked back to the steering wheel and lifted Molly from the controls and set her in the passenger seat and took back control. As Molly looked back at Kit she gulped slightly as she looked back at Shade.

“Shade.” Shade let out a sigh of defeat then shook his head slightly.

“What is it little one?”

“Why are you acting like this?” Shade looked at Molly for a second and then forward once more as he kept silent. “Please Shade I can keep a secret.”

“Oh I have no doubt about that little one, although just to be safe I’m not going to tell you.” Molly sat back in her seat and pouted as she stuck her tong out at him. “You keep doing that and someone might just rip it out.” Shade said, without looking at Molly who gasped and covered her mouth.

“You wouldn’t?” Molly questioned, as she started to get saucer shaped eyes and tears started to form.

“Well I’m not able to as long as you keep it in your mouth.” As Shade kept driving he started to hear a soft sniffling sound, he shot Molly a quick glace and saw her crying softly in her seat. “Why are you crying?”

“Because you threatened to rip out my tong, and you’re not going to tell me nothing.”

“And this gets you to cry?”

“Well it wasn’t nice to say such mean things, and it’s not nice to keep secrets from your friends.” Molly scolded as she looked at Shade who kept driving.

“Molly it’s better if we aren’t friends.”

“But everyone has to have friends, who else are you going to talk to?”

“I normally don’t talk unless I’m around you or someone in your family.”

“See that means we’re friends.”

“This is why I try and keep my distance.”

“Why? Don’t you like us?”

“If I say no will it put an end to this questioning?”

“No.”

“Fine, then yes I like your family, I like to see you all together because if makes me happy knowing just what I’m fighting for.”

“Then why have you become so mean to us.”

“Mean? I think you mean cold, and the reason for that is a secret.” Molly smiled as she leaned forward and ready to listen to Shade. “Which I’m not going to tell you.” Molly pouted once more as she sat back into her seat.

“That’s mean, how bad can the secret be that you’re not going to tell me? A sweet innocent little girl.” Molly added as she looked at Shade.

“Pretty bad.” As Shade kept driving he was taken back to the Night Witch airfield in his mind, as he recalled the day long punishment he had gotten from the Night Witch pilots for spying on their briefings.

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

“And when you’re finished cleaning those parts young man you can start washing the hanger.” Barbra said, as she stood behind Shade with her arms crossed.

“I thought the spanking was the punishment.”

“No that was just the start young man, you’ll be lucky if you don’t get one tonight as well.”

“For what?”

“For the same reason you’re cleaning these parts and the shed afterwards.” with that Shade turned and looked at Barbra with a piston in hand and then threw it at Barbra before he ran away from her. As Barbra ran after him he lead her on a merry little chase all over the airfield and was joined by the other Pilots before Shade found himself trapped in corner. “Alright Shade, that’s it.” Barbra rolled up her sleeves as she walked up to Shade who only looked at her with defiance in his eyes. He then got into a fighting stance. “Oh so now you’re going to fight me is that it.”

“IT’S NOT FAIR!!” Shade yelled, as he glared at Barbra. “You said it your selves, YOU ALL SAID I SHOULD ALWAYS LEARN ABOUT MY ENEMIES!! “ Shade’s outburst shocked the pilots as they looked at the child they had taken care of for a year, never knowing him to be blatantly disobedient, or to lash out at them. Tears where forming in Shade’s eyes as he lowered his arms and fell to his knees, no matter how much he wanted to fight back to protect his hide he couldn’t bring himself to fight the Night Witches he cared to much for them to ever bring harm upon them, even if it did mean he was about to get another whipping from one of them. “I did it because none of you would tell me what your mission was; I had to spy on you to learn, because I don’t want anything to happen to you. I wanted to be ready for the Hausers, because I don’t want to lose you like I lost them.” As Shade started to cry he bowed before the Night Witches head to the ground sniffling slightly he opened his eyes but shut them quickly unable to look at any of them. “I broke a rule, I admit that, but to lose your friendship, to lose what I had once again, to lose another family, I can’t… I can’t lose that again please forgive me.” Shade whimpered, as he remained on the ground and kept his eyes shut only to open them when Barbra placed a hand on his back and rubbed it slightly.

“I guess we didn’t look at it that way Shade.” Barbra said, as Shade opened his eyes and looked at her. “We should have considered your past before we passed judgment, and maybe we have been rather harsh with you, but it’s because we felt that you betrayed are trust.” Shade looked at Barbra and nodded slightly, as Barbra helped him back to his feet. “Girls I think are little Ghost has learned his lesson on this little miss deed, what say you?”

“I COMMANDER!” the girls said at once then walked up and gave Shade a group hug trying to comfort him slightly.

“Although this doesn’t clear you of throwing that piston at me.” Barbra pointed out after Shade started to smile.

“But it didn’t hit you.”

“I know and that’s why you’re getting off lightly.” Barbra pointed out as she took Shade’s right hand and slapped the back of it. “There now no more throwing plane parts.” with that Shade rubbed the back of his hand, but then hugged Barbra. “It’s not your job to protect us honey, we’re the soldiers, and we’re supposed to protect you from the bad things in the world.” Barbra said, as she held Shade close.

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

“Shade” Shade looked at Molly who was looking ahead.

“What is it little one?” Molly turned looked at Shade funny. “You called my name… didn’t you?” Molly shook her head, and Shade looked behind him for a second only to find Kit still asleep. As he turned back and faced front still speeding forward he couldn’t help but shake the feeling that the transport was starting to struggle with him, as if it was trying to turn. “We might be having some trouble.” Shade said, as he reached for the key and turned it off, but the engine didn’t stop, the transport seemed to be going even faster, as Shade looked down at the key he then put his foot on the brake with no luck. “Molly do me a favor try and wake Kit up.” Molly jumped into action, or better put she jumped on Kit to try and wake him up only getting a grunt from the sleeping teen. “We have to get off this thing.”

“Stop fighting her, let her lead you.” Shade turned to Molly seeing that she was still hard at work trying to wake Kit up, he looked back at the wheel that he was now having trouble keeping control of. As he gulped he let go of the wheel and it quickly jerked to the right and then straightened out.

“Alright, you drive we ride.” Shade said, as he got up and went into the back to put some smelling salts under Kit’s nose getting the teen to wake up. “Have a nice nap?”

“I’ll give you a nap.” As Kit tried to get up he found Molly on his back smiling. “Wait if Molly is on my back and you’re in front of me, who’s driving?”

“That… is a very good question.” Shade said, as he helped Molly off Kit who stood up and the three looked at the steering wheel. Elsewhere Baloo and Rebecca were making their way around the main building when they both ducked into a room hearing Spigot’s voice coming up the hall. “I’ll have them shot twice for this.” Spigot said, as he walked past the room. “And Dunder you’ll be flogged for a week if they don’t get caught.”

“Oh yes sir.” As the two walked down the hall Baloo sighed as he looked at Rebecca, who was standing in shock as she pocked Baloo.

“What is it Beckers?” Baloo turned and saw the Grand High marshal sitting in a chair with his wife sitting right next to him.

“Who dares to interrupt my lunch with my wife?” the high marshal asked, as he glared at Baloo and Rebecca.

“Uh well.” Baloo looked at Rebecca somewhat pleading not finding the words he could con his way out of this one.

“Sir my name is Rebecca Cunningham.” Rebecca said, as she removed her hat and stepped forward.

“Ah yes the lady that threatened nozzle” the Marshal looked at Rebecca as he heard his wife chuckle slightly. “I thought you were locked up, awaiting the firing squad.”

“Uh we got time off for good behavior?” Rebecca shot Baloo a nasty look for his comment that told him to be quite, as she turned back and looked at the marshal.

“We escaped sir, and if there is anything you can do to help us I’m begging you to do so, my children are out there is your country lost, and alone, and we need to find them.” Rebecca pleaded, as she fell to her knees and looked at the high marshal but noticed that at the mention of her children being lost, his wife grabbed his arm.

“Yes… yes… we would love to help you find your children, but at this time we are facing our own troubles it seems we have lost communication with three of are out laying provinces, I will not be able to spare any planes to find them, but I can have your plane repaired so that you will be able to find them.” Rebecca and Baloo smiled as they looked at the high marshal who smiled back at them. “But I recommend that when you find your children you keep flying.”

“Anything you say sir, just get my baby air worthy, and we’ll be long gone.” Baloo said, as he hugged Rebecca.

“Very well, until you plane is repaired however I offer you to be a guest of me and my wife, to remain in are private quarters. The one place that nozzle can’t enter under penalty of being shot.” with that the two adults nodded and the marshal started to make calls.

As for the kids, the transport came to a stop just on the outside of a cave in an area that looked like no one had been around it for years. “Alright let’s go.” Shade said, as he got out and started to head for the front of the vehicle, opening the hood up and looking inside.

“Can you fix it?” Molly asked, as she looked at Shade.

“No… I can safely say this I can’t fix.” Shade said, as he turned and looked at both Molly and Kit.

“Oh wow something the great Ghost can’t fix.” Kit said, with a bit of pride as he smirked as Shade.

“I can honestly say no one can fix this without a new engine.” with that Kit folded his arms and smiled proudly.

“Want to bet, when I was a pirate I used to help fix their engines all the time.” Kit boasted, as he smiled at Shade. “Why don’t you let me have a look at it, I bet I can fix it.”

“I bet, come on Molly let’s go into the cave, and get ready for the night.” with that Shade jumped down from the front of the vehicle, took Molly’s hand, and started to head for the cave. Kit smiled as he walked up to the vehicle and looked under the hood. For a few moments Kit just stared in shock before he slammed the hood down.

“THERE’S NO ENGINE!!” Kit yelled, as he looked at Shade walking away.

“Told you, you wouldn’t be able to fix it without a new one.” Shade responded as he kept leading Molly towards the cave.

“But if there wasn’t an engine how did the vehicle move?” Molly asked, as she looked at Shade and then over her shoulder at Kit.

“That’s a great question Molly, and I’m guessing we might get some of the answers in here.” Shade responded as he made it into the cave with Molly only to be shocked to see that inside the cave was an old P-51 looking like it had been parked in the cave for years. As Shade walked around the plane he read just under the canopy the name Black Magic. ‘Must have been the pilots’ calls sign, I wonder why they left it here?’

“WOW! A plane. A really neat plane.” Molly said, as she ran up to the plane, and started to climb on it. “I’M GOING TO BE THE PILOT!!” Molly cheered, as she climbed onto the wing and started to try and open the cockpit that had been frozen shut. “Big Brother help me.” Molly cried out, and Kit ran up and smiled as he tried to open the hatch. “I meant Shade I thought he would have away to open it.” Kit stopped trying to open the hatch in shock as he heard Molly’s words, as he turned to look at her; she was smiling as she pointed to Shade. “Come on open the hatch, I want to be the pilot.” Shade walked up and could feel the look of hate Kit was giving him at that moment as he got to the side of the hatch and started to trace the outside of the canopy. As he reached up and tried to move it, the hatch gave with no resistance, as if it was never stuck. Inside sat a Pilot dressed in white. As Shade put his fingers to the pilot’s neck and turned to Kit.

“Take Molly away, make a fire, stay warm.” Kit grabbed Shade by the collar and pulled him in close.

“Don’t tell me what to do.” His words were soft so that only Shade could hear them, but as Kit let go of him Shade grabbed his wrist and looked him in the eyes.

“I’m trying to save your life if you haven’t noticed yet Kit, so why don’t you act your age and not your shoe size, I need to burry one more person today so take her away so I can get to work.”

“We don’t have time for this.”

“We are making time for this Cloudkicker, we are going to respect this person enough to let them rest in peace, so take Molly away.” with that Shade gave Kit a look that sent chills down the older boy’s spin. Later as Kit sat with Molly a few feet away they were both wrapped up in his sweater, as Kit held her close to keep her warm.

“Why did you call him big brother?” Kit asked, finally as he looked at Molly who only smiled slightly.

“I don’t know, but don’t you think it would be neat’O if he was are brother?” Kit rolled his eyes slightly as he shook his head.

“No I don’t think that, Shade’s a hot head, one minute he’s friendly the next he’s like a soldier from a war, and to be honest I think he’s mentally unstable.”

“And he’s been known to rip out the tongs of people that talk behind his back.”

“That to.” Kit agreed, as he looked at Molly who was looking behind him. “He’s standing right behind me isn’t he?”

“Yep.” Molly giggled slightly, as Shade walked past Kit and sat in front of them.

“It’s done, I’ve looked over the plane and it seems almost as good as new, the freezing temperatures haven’t had a whole lot of effect on it, and also slowed down the decay rate, so we should be able to fly out of here tomorrow.

“YEAH!” Shade smiled at Molly’s reaction and then looked at Kit.

“Tomorrow, you and Molly are going to sit in the back and wear the parachute.”

“And what makes you think you’re going to fly that plane? I have more experience in flying then you do, so I should be piloting it.” Kit protested, as he looked at Shade.

“You have a more important job; it’s called being a big brother, and keeping your little sister safe. That outweighs everything. Your experience flying, your knowledge of planes, means nothing compared to keeping that little girl in your arms safe, and to make sure that both of you get back into the arms of your parents. That is something that overrides everything else, so we aren’t going to argue this anymore, and you’re going to just shut up.” Shade stood up and started to head back to the aircraft. Back in the capital of Thembria Rebecca looked out a window at the stars as the high marshals’ wife sat next to her on a couch.

“You are worried for your children no?”

“No… I mean yes, they’ve been out there for two days now and both me and Baloo have been stuck here.” with that the high marshals wife patted Rebecca on the back slightly.

“Do not be worrying too much, if they are anything like you and your husband then I am sure that they are fine.” with that Rebecca turned and looked at the high marshal’s wife and smiled.

“I’m sure they are, Kit is a very smart boy, sweet and always trying to do the right thing, I’m sure he’ll keep my daughter safe.”

“You see already your worries are leaving you, now let us speak of other things to help you relax.” with that the high marshal’s wife looked around for a second and then smiled, as she leaned close. “Tell me

About this Ghost we have been hearing about in Cape Suzette, I was told that he was going to be on your plane, and I was rather disappointed when you arrived and he wasn’t with you.” with that Rebecca smiled slightly as he looked at the Marshal’s wife.

“That’s because he jumped out of the plane after are kids.” with that the woman smiled brightly as she looked at Rebecca.

“There you have it then, not only do you have a smart son looking after your daughter but a strong brave man watching over them as well, your children are in good hands if half of what I’ve heard is true about this Ghost person. My husband’s stupid coronal thinks that he is some kind of super weapon to be used against us.”

“The Ghost?” Rebecca almost laughed as she looked at the marshal’s wife. “No he tries to keep the peace, and brings people to justice, in fact the reason he was doing security on this delivery was to try and keep the peace between our two nations.”

“Oh that’s very good indeed… oh excuse me we’ve been talking for a while and I’ve just realized I’ve failed to introduce myself to you, I am Brittany.”

“Please to meet you Brittany my name is Rebecca.” as the two women shook hands Baloo and the high marshal watched them from another room smiling at one another.

“It does my heart good to see my wife happy.” the High Marshal said, as he walked Baloo into his office. “She hasn’t been the same since she found out that we are unable to have children.”

“Oh that’s a darn shame your highness.” Baloo said, as he looked at the Marshal.

“Yes and what’s bad is that we have filed to adopt but are still waiting for the papers to come back.”

“Well how long ago did you file I’m sure that they’ll be back soon.”

“Ten years ago.”

“Oh man that long, how long does it normally take?” Baloo asked as he slapped his forehead.

“20 years, that is why adoptions do not happy all that often in Thembria.”

“Why not streamline it some than, make the paperwork go smoother?”

“We have it used to take 40 years.”

“Oh baby that’s harsh.”

“Yes and it has only been getting worst for my wife, she spends a lot of time visiting the local orphanage to make sure that the children are being taken care of, but I’m fear that it does not make her as happy as having one of her own.”

“I hear you there, and to be honest I wish I could help you two out.”

“I was hopping as well.” with that Baloo looked at the High Marshal with a puzzled look on his face.

“I’m not sure I catch your drift.”

“Well my superiors have been listening to coronal Spigot as of late, and they wanted to show good faith in your Ghost person, they were going to let him make one request of the people, and no matter what they would grant it, as long as he swore never to attack Thembria.” with that Baloo started to laugh slightly as he looked at the high marshal.

“Let me get this straight the people over you listen to spigot, so to keep the peace, they wanted to grant the Ghost anything he wanted… Oh baby that would have been funny.”

“How is this humorous?”

“Because he never wants anything, he doesn’t like to take things for his actions, and he normally gives people things, to offer him something is almost like insulting him.” with that the High Marshal nodded and sat back in his chair.

“I see, well then it’s good that he didn’t arrive with you, otherwise we might have insulted someone that my superiors fear because of the fool under me.”

“Oh don’t worry about it your highness, the Ghost would have only told you to treat your people right or something, he isn’t greedy or anything.”

“I see… but it still does not matter, when he arrives my superiors still wish to give him such a gift, but he will most likely ask for you and your wife to be released.” with that Baloo looked at the Marshal and then snapped his fingers.

“You said that there was away to get out from the firing squad how do we do that?” the High Marshal looked at Baloo with shock and shook his head.

“Don’t think of it, if you fail then your entire family is put to death.”

“Come on tell me what has to be done?”

“It called Бой праведного” The marshal said the last words in old Thembrian getting Baloo to give him a funny look. “It roughly translates into Fight of the righteous, it was an old way that people that swore they were innocent could get out of their execution, but it hasn’t been used for years.”

“Alright what does it mean?”

“Well you have your accused in a circle of my soldiers and you both fight until you give up or he gives up.”

“Me fight Spiggy? Oh brother why didn’t you say so, I’ll do it right now.” Baloo started to get up but was stopped as the high Marshal grabbed his wrist.

“Wait my friend you miss understand, in this case Spigot would be able to invoke the rule of Champion, when your wife threatened him she threatened the people, so you would have to face the people’s champion.”

“And who would that be?”

“Are strongest and most skilled fighter.”

“So if I said I wanted to do this.”

“You would have to face the people’s champion, and I am sorry to say, you would loose to him.”

“I see, alright but if it comes down to it. While I’m fighting get Rebecca and the kids out of here.”

“I will do this for you Baloo, I have not forgotten the many times you have helped are country, even if Spigot has.” Later that night as Molly slept in Shade’s trench coat and a blanket, that he had found in the plane, Kit walked up to Shade who was still looking over the plane’s weapons.

“We need to talk.” Kit said, as he looked at Shade who didn’t turn away from his work.

“No we don’t, I told you what’s going to happen tomorrow. You’re going to strap yourself, and Molly, in that parachute over there and sit behind the pilot seat, if the worst case happens you’ll be able to bail out with your sister while I’ll try to crash land.” Kit looked at Shade cleaning several parts and loosening the ammo belts feeding the guns inside the plane’s right wing.

“That’s not what I meant, we need to talk about…” Before Kit could finish what he was saying Shade slammed a panel on the plane shut and glared at him.

“If this is about, what I think it’s about, I’m going to knock you out. Get some sleep, I don’t have time to listen to this, nor should you keep wasting your time thinking of it, I’ve already told you before I don’t want to be a part of your family.”

“And that’s the part that I don’t believe.” Kit insisted, as he looked at Shade who started to drum his fingers on the plane. “I’ve seen the look in your eyes, I know that look very well, because I used to have it, it’s almost like your being torn up inside, you want to be a part of a family, you want to be loved but you’re scared of being betrayed, or being abandoned again. I’ve seen how you act around Baloo and Rebecca, when they act nice to you, you turn cold to them to try and keep them at a distance.” Shade looked at Kit for a minute, and then headed for the other wing to work on the guns. “Shade talk to me, I’ve been in your shoes before, I know these feelings your, I guess I’ve been so blinded by my own fears I’ve never thought about it before, but I can tell you that Baloo and Rebecca are the nicest people I know, and they would never abandon you if you let them get close.” Kit started to follow Shade, once he got next to Shade he smiled at the young wolf.

“That’s not the reason I don’t let them close Kit.” Shade didn’t look at Kit as he kept working on the guns in the left wing.

“Alright then why do you keep them at a distance, why are you so scared of them getting so close to you.” Shade paused for a minute on the weapons, then started once more, ignoring Kit, and hopping the questions would stop. “Are you scared of something else?” no response. “Did someone in your past hurt you?” still no response but Kit noticed Shade’s fur was starting to stand up, meaning that he was getting a rise out of him. “Shade… did your parents abuse you?” it happened so fast Kit didn’t even see it coming. The only thing he did know was his left eye was hurting, and he was now on the ground looking up at Shade.

“You now have a matching pair of black eyes.” Shade said, as he looked down at Kit, who got to his feet with clenched fist. Kit was ready to return the blow but stopped as he looked at Shade, what stopped him wasn’t fear, but as he looked through Shade’s tented goggles he could see tears in the small wolfs eyes. Kit looked away he thought about what he had said, and knew that he would have reacted the same way if someone said that about his biological parents. “Talk about my parents like that again Kit and I swear I’ll rip out your heart and make you eat it.” with that Shade turned back to his work.

“Alright… I’ll admit I crossed a line… I’m sorry… But you still haven’t answered my question.” Kit wanted answers, and he didn’t care what it took to get them.

“I can’t let your family get to close to me Kit, I have my reasons, so drop it.”

“Just because you say you have your reasons, doesn’t give me an answer, just tell me why you can’t let anyone get close to you, what are you so scared of?” with those words Shade slammed another panel and kept his back towards Kit.

“Don’t you think I want to let them get close? Don’t you think I would love to be able to sit down to a family meal nightly, or be tucked in at night? Have a younger sister or brother that looks up to me? I’ll admit it Kit, I want all of those things. You have a life I would love to have, but I can’t have it.”

“Why not?” Shade turned, looked at Kit, and then started to walk away. “Shade what’s the matter? Why can’t you have such a life? Are you scared the city would fall apart if the Ghost wasn’t around?” Kit asked, as he grabbed Shade’s arm. In response Shade pulled his arm out of Kit’s grasp and looked at the opening of the cave keeping his back turned to Kit.

“I’m scared that they’ll get hurt Kit, everyone I’ve ever loved or cared about has died, and right now I’m worried that my curse has taken the lives of two more innocent people, I’m scared alright Kit, but not of what your parents would do to me, but of what might happen to them, or anyone like them, that get’s to close to me. Most of all I’m scared to loose anymore friends to this curse of mine.” As Shade walked towards the opening of the cave with Kit close behind. “Tomorrow when we reached the Thembrian capital we’ll find out if your parents are alright. I’ll fly you anywhere you want to go, if something has happened to them, and you’ll never see me again. If nothing has happened to them, and their alright, I’ll keep my distance from now on. You‘ll never have to worry about me again Kit.” As Kit stood beside Shade he looked at the younger boy, and then out at the night sky. He didn’t know what to say to Shade, but at the same time he didn’t want to leave Shade alone.

“You really think we might run into the Hausers?” Kit finally asked, wanting to break the silence

“I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a bad day.” Shade turned to Kit and forced a smile. “You should get some sleep, don’t want your parents seeing you look like a ran over raccoon now do we?” Humor, it was a good sign to Kit that Shade wasn’t a danger to himself, taking Shade’s advice Kit looked over at Molly and could tell that she was starting to get chilled since she had kicked off the blanket and trench coat in her sleep

“Right.” As Kit walked away from Shade, he looking back every so often, seeing Shade in a new light thinking about his words. It was early morning in the Thembrian capital when Baloo and Rebecca was woken up in the guest room of the high Marshals home by the sound of air raid sirens.

“What’s going on?” Rebecca asked, as she ran into Brittany in the hall.

“The capital it is being attacked.” Brittany responded as she looked at Rebecca, and Baloo then turned to several guards that where taking her and her husband to the bomb shelter.

“Attacked?… hey your highness my plane working yet?” Baloo asked, as he looked at the high marshal.

“I am sorry to say, but it is not, we could have used another plane in the air right now.” with that the four started to head for the shelter with the guards. As they ran out into the court yard heading for the bomb shelter opening, Baloo looked up and knocked everyone down as an enemy fighter strafed the ground in front of them, a few moments later they would have all been filled with lead. “Thank you my friend, I will not forget this when this is all over.” the high Marshall said, as he started to help his wife up and the group ran for shelter once more.

“How many are out there?” Baloo asked, as he looked at the high marshal.

“There is only 15 here, or at least there was when this all started, I don’t know how many have been shot down, but to the east there is another attack going on, and from the reports there is 30 fighters there, right now the people’s air force is dealing with them and we had only 5 here.”

“Had?”

“Before are planes could get off the ground the enemy flew in and strafed the air field destroying them, we have to wait until the enemy further east have been dealt with before the people’s air force can come and help us.” with that Baloo nodded as the sound of another plane flying over head zoomed past and the sounds of bullets hit the top of the shelter.

“Hope your pilots are better than the pirates, otherwise we might have are selves a bit of a problem here.” Elsewhere about 29,000 feet in the air Shade sat in the pilot seat of the P-51 flying just below its service ceiling.

“Shade why are you flying so high?” Molly asked, as she looked at the back of Shade’s head.

“Battle strategy always says it‘s better to have the high ground, in this case to be the highest, at are current altitude no one should be able to sneak up on us, and if it comes down to it I should be able to make a good strategic stance should we see trouble down below.”

“Oh… Kit why is Shade flying so high?” Molly asked, as she turned to Kit.

“He wants to make sure we don’t run into the bad guys.” Kit explained, as he held Molly close as they both sat behind the pilot seat strapped into the only parachute. “Alright at are current heading we should be coming up on the capital soon.”

“Great let’s hear what’s going on down there.” with that Shade turned on the radio and could hear the chaos below.

“Shade we can’t get into that, there is no way I’m going to put Molly in that kind of danger.” Kit said, as he reached over and grabbed Shade’s shoulder. Shade reached over and took the mike from the radio.

“This is Black Magic calling to ground troops at the Thembrian capital, I have to drop of hatchlings and will return how long can you hold out?” Kit could hear Shade using a low growling tone across the mike understanding how some reports on the Ghost back at Cape Suzette.

“Are you insane we need help now, please for the sake of the patriotic flounder help us, are air support is down, and their planes are ripping us apart.” a frantic voice came across the radio and Shade sat back in the pilot seat. “Please whoever you are, please help us we need help down here, the women and children are already in the shelters, but we won’t be able to hold out much longer we need air support.” Shade took the mike once more as he put it close to his mouth.

“Roger that.” with that Shade put the mike down, and tapped the controls with his fingers.

“Shade you can’t get in the middle of that, you heard them it’s a war zone down there and.” Before Kit could finish what he was saying Shade pushed the stick forward and cut through the clouds. Once in the clear he started to shoot down any plane in his path. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!”

“Sorry Kit but it’s a logical transaction, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, and these people need help. I’ll do my best not to get shot down, but you’re going to have to join me for this ride, I’m not going to let these monsters kill any more innocent life on their march of death.” As Shade flew the plane, Kit kept finding himself asking the same question over, and over, where did Shade learned to fly.

“That’s right honey listen to her, let her tell you what to do.” the voice was back, haunting Shade’s ears as he followed his heart, and felt the controls guide his actions. “Got one on your six, you remember what to do?”

“Got one on my six?” Shade looked at the small mirrors at the top of the canopy and saw an enemy fighter on his tail. “Remember what to do?” Shade pulled the stick into his gut and hit full rudder causing the plane to snap role, slowing it down, and getting the Kit, and Molly to scream, as the enemy fighter zoomed past. “Tag your it.” Shade open fire once more shooting down the enemy fighter.

“That’s right kiddo you got this.” Shade tried to remember the voice as he kept going, listening to its warnings giving him helpful reminders, reminders that he remembered from long ago, until finally it snapped. He did remember the voice, he almost kicked himself for not realizing it sooner, as a smiled crossed his face, and as tears filled his eyes.

“Barbra.”

“That’s right kiddo, I’m here along with the rest of the Night Witches.”

“We got your back kiddo, now let’s show them some real flying.” Gloria voice rang in Shade’s ears as he took aim at another fighter. “That’s right kiddo lead him on and take him down.”

“Your in command kiddo, these chumps got nothing on you.” Brianna voice came next, as Shade shot down another fighter. “These skies belong to you, teach these chumps what happens to those who want to cause trouble.” Shade could hear something else behind him it sounded like Kit screaming, but it sounded like he was miles away.

“Keep it up kiddo, show these novice pilots what it really means to face the son of the Night Witches, let’s show them some real Black Magic.” with that Shade noticed that another enemy fighter was on his tail, as he tried to same snap role trick the enemy did the same. Shade brakes to the left, roles, and reverses but it’s clear that this pilot had sunk his teeth in and wasn’t going to be shaken off by some cheep tricks.

“Last one Shade looks like he’s pretty good, got any more tricks in your sleeves.” Shade pulled back on the stick and pushed the planes throttle all the way keeping an eye on the enemy fighter in his rear view.

“Come on, come on I know your ceiling is close.” Shade said, as he kept a close eye on the plane behind him, his heart was racing sweating dripped from his forehead as he kept going. Then he saw it the sign he was looking for, as the enemy fighter started to jerk slightly Shade pulled back on the stick once more pulling the P-51 over and brining its guns on the now stalled enemy fighter filling it full of lead until white clouds of coolant started to spew out.

“That’s showing them kiddo.” Shade smiled, at the sound of Barbra’s voice, as he started to see the battle field once more, seeing the Hauser troops now on the run knowing that their Air support was knocked out of the sky.

“This is Thembrian high command, to the pilot of Black Magic, who may I ask is piloting?” a voice called over the radio and Shade took the mike.

“This is the Ghost, hope I didn’t step on anyone’s toes down there but it looked like you could have used the hand.”

“That we could of Ghost, but today is not over yet, we just got a report from the east a squadron of six enemy fighters are on their way here, are fighters are still engaged there and the ones here are in no shape to fly, would you be able to stay and help us a little more?”

“That’s a big 10-4 Black Magic always ready to lend a helping hand, but I have two hatchlings in my plane that are looking for Baloo and Rebecca Cunningham, the two people that brought back your golden statue.”

“Ah yes, the big round pilot and the loud lady, they were sentenced to the firing squad for threatening…” there came a loud muffling sound on the other side of the mike as behind Shade could hear Molly starting to cry.

“This is the High Marshall to the Ghost, your friends are alright, and they are my guest.” the High Marshall said, as Shade looked at the radio.

“Don’t take this wrong sir but I want some proof on that, I’m not about to drop off these hatchlings if I’m not sure that they will be put into loving arms.”

“We’re fine.” Rebecca cried out, as she grabbed the mike from the high Marshall getting a response of the sounds of Kit and Molly cheering.

“That’s a big 10-4 on the confirmation how much time before the enemy fighters get here?”

“Estimated time 10 minutes.” the High Marshal responded as he took the mike back away from Rebecca.

“Not much time sir, I’ll be doing a fly by, you just give me your word this family remains safe, and I’ll give mine that I’ll do my best to take these flying trash cans out of the sky.” with that Shade put down the mike and smiled as he watched the hatch open on its own.

“What are you doing Shade?” Kit asked, as he could see the ground below.

“Hey Kit, remember what I told you last night, about what I wanted?”

“Yeah… what about it?”

“If it means anything, I think you make a great big brother.” with that Shade turned the plane upside down causing both Kit and Molly to fall out, once clear Kit pulled the cord, and the chute opened. As the plane flew off he watched as the hatch closed back up, and Shade straightened out. As Kit looked down he smiled, as he saw the courtyard below and running out from a shelter was Baloo and Rebecca with several Thembrian guards as they got close enough Baloo pulled both children into his arms and knelt down so that Rebecca could wrap her arms around him.

“Molly, Shade is still flying you should have seen him he was like daddy.” Molly said, as Baloo started to get the chute off her and Kit only getting a shocked look from Baloo.

“What did you just call me button nose?” Molly turned, looked at Baloo, and looked away slightly embarrassed.

“Daddy… I can call you that right?” with those words Baloo wrapped his big arms around Molly and smiled. As Rebecca looked so happy at the two, then noticed Kit who was looking up at the sky.

“Kit is there something wrong?”

“It’s Shade, he’s up there all alone, and those enemy fighters are going to be here any minute… I hope he’ll be alright.” Rebecca smiled, hearing the concern in Kit’s voice. As Shade made another pass, he saluted to the family, and flew on while on the ground Thembrian troops cheered, as the lone fighter plane zoomed over head.

“GUARDS SEES THEM!!” Spigot yelled, as he pointed to Baloo and Rebecca. As 3 guards stepped forward 4 guards stood their ground to defend the family. “I ORDER YOU TO SEES THEM!” Spigot yelled again, no response this time as the high Marshall walked forward with his wife. “Oh your grand mucky muck these guards refuse to follow orders, I say that we send them to the firing squad after we have one this battle.”

“I see nozzle, and what makes you think I would let such a thing happen, to men that are following my orders?”

“B-b-but sir, those two were supposed to be put before the firing squad this morning, they broke out of jail, they threatened and officer of the people.”

“Yes… yes nozzle I know all of this, but this family is also good friends with the pilot that is are only air support, until the rest of our fighters can arrive, it would be very unwise of us to hurt friends of are lone fighter, that is also the Ghost that you fear so much.”

“The G-g-ghost?” Spigot looked up at the plane once more, and then thought about the number of enemy fighters that had just been shot down followed by the fact that there was no one up in the air in the area. “Right then, until this is over nothing will happen to them, but once we’re safe and able to put you in front of a firing squad.” before Spigot could finish what he was saying a line of strafing fire cut up the court yard getting everyone to run into the shelter. As they reached the shelter Baloo peaked out the door and saw the FW 109 flying overhead.

“Where did he go?” Baloo asked, as he looked for Shade in the sky. In the air Shade was flying in the cloud coverage slowly emerging as he heard the sound of other planes in the area, as he lowered from the coverage he saw the enemy fighters below and leading them was one that made his blood boil, in front of the small group was a pitch black 109 with a reaper painted on the nose. The next two had bright red noses, indicating that these two must have been pretty good to want people to see them so badly, and three following behind nothing special but then again Shade only wanted one out of the entire lot. As Shade took aim he targeted one of Von Biege’s wing men and opened fire, knocking the enemy fighter out of the sky before he even had a chance to defend himself.

“SCATTER YOU FOOLS WE GOT ENEMY FIGHTERS COMING FROM ABOVE!!” Von Biege yelled, and sending all the other fighters scattering.

“Sir, this is red wing 2, I see the enemy fighter, permission to knock him out of the sky?”

“Teach that arrogant punk what it means to shoot down a member of Reaper flight.” Von Biege replied as he watched his other wingman fly after Shade getting on his six. Von Biege watched as Shade tried to loose his wingman with amusement knowing that his wingman was skilled at following enemy fighters.

“So you want to play follow the leader.” Shade said, as he smiled, and dove down towards the ground. “Come on follow the leader.” sure enough red wing 2 followed Shade towards the ground pulling up just as Shade did before him.

“NO YOU FOOL GET OUT OF THERE HE’S LEADING YOU INTO A TRAP!!” Von Biege’s words came too late as he watched the Thembrian ground forces open fire and shot down his other wingman. “He was playing with him, he knew what he was doing all the time. TRIAD I WANT THIS PUNK OUT OF ARE AIR SPACE NOW!!” On the ground Baloo watched as three fighters went after Shade, keeping a close eye on the action.

“Come on Kiddo you can do this.” Baloo said, as he kept a close eye on the action above while holding Rebecca and the kids close knowing that if Shade failed their chances on this day turning out well would drop. Baloo watched as two of the fighters dropped away keeping a close eye on their movements as well as Shade and his shadow. “Come on kid you got to have a few tricks left.” as Baloo watched the other two planes started to come as Shade from different directions and almost looked like they would have a perfect cross fire on the lone P-51.

“Alright kiddo you got one coming in at 2 o’clock, 10 o’clock and 6 o’clock thinking you can pull off are little trick?” Barbra’s voice rang in Shade’s ears as he remembered this kind of scenario during many flying lessons. In a flash Shade pulled the stick into his gut, hit full bottom rudder, and then threw the stick full forward once more. From bother Baloo and Von Biege’s points of view it looked like the plane itself just stopped in mid air, as its nose dropped down, the plane twisted counter clockwise, and fell for a few seconds before it leveled off, but while this was going on the three planes that were about to trap him slammed into one another, each of their pilots looking at what had just happened, and not at what was about to happen.

“He just did an inverted vertical reverse.” Baloo said, as he watched in awe. “Now where did he learn to fly like that?” Back in the cockpit Shade could hear his friends clearly they were with him 100% and with them by his side he felt like he could take on the world.

“That’s it kiddo, your making us so proud.”

“Hey don’t pat him on the back just yet Barb, we still have Von Biege to deal with… and he’s coming up fast.” at Julia’s words Shade looked into a rear view mirror and could see the black 109 coming up on him.

“You want me Von Biege come and get me.” with that Shade pulled up into the thick cloud coverage smiling knowing that Von Biege would soon follow, as he looked into his rear view he could see the black 109 starting to come out of the clouds and he started to bank hard left, Von Biege saw the bank and soon followed as both pilots kept banking they got to a point that Shade could look up and see Von Biege just as Von Biege could look up and see Shade both pilots stared at one another waiting for the other to make the first move, both knowing that the slightest mistake could spell the end for them. On the ground Baloo kept looking up at the sky wondering what was going on not able to see past the cloud coverage.

“Daddy, is Shade going to be O.K.?” Molly asked, as she looked at Baloo from her mother’s arms.

“Sure he is button nose.” Baloo smiled at Molly and look back at the sky.

“Yeah, he can handle himself Molly, I mean don’t you remember how well he took care of those flying junk piles when we were in the plane with him.” Kit asked, as he smiled at Molly.

“I remember you yelling at him a lot, it was funny you started to turn red.” with that Kit started to blush getting Molly to giggle slightly. “Like that, you turned red like that.” As Rebecca looked at Kit she smiled and put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

“I was just scared that something might happen to Molly, and all he said was that it was a logical transaction, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” Kit said, as he lowered his head and then felt a small hand on his head, as he looked up he smiled at Molly who was looking at him.

“But he also said you’re going to make a good big brother.” Molly smiled as she looked at Kit who only looked away and up at the overcast sky. Up in the sky Von Biege motioned to his mike and then signaled Shade some radio settings, as Shade did as requested he heard Von Biege’s voice once he dialed in the setting.

“Can you hear me?” Von Biege asked, as he looked at Shade.

“I can.” Shade and Von Biege looked at one another for a minute before Von Biege started to speak again.

“I must say I’ve never seen a pilot fly like you, may I at least ask your name.”

“My name is Shade, you killed four women that meant the world to me at one time.” Shade didn’t speak with a growl, he didn’t try and hide his voice as he kept his eye on Von Biege he could see the shock on the older pilots face.

“A child? My men have been shot down and out smarted by a child?”

“Not any normal child Von Biege, I don’t fly alone up here, those women that I spoke of are here with me, here and now listening to us speak, they have helped guide my hands this day, and they have helped me to obtain victory.”

“I see… tell me child these women you speak of, who were they?”

“They were the Night Witches.” with that there was silence from both pilots, for several minutes as they kept looking at one another.

“I hate to shoot down such a talent, but you’ve chosen your side, we are enemies.”

“That we are Von Biege.”

“Then let us finish this.” with that Von Biege pulled a slightly tighter turn getting Shade to dive below the clouds and Von Biege following close behind.

“Here they come.” Baloo said, as he saw Shade’s plane emerge from the cloud coverage with Von Biege close behind. “The reaper is on the kid’s tail.” as the other watched on they saw as Shade kept diving towards the ground. “He’s trapped if he tries to pull up Von Biege is going to fill his plane full of lead, and if he doesn’t pull up.

“We’re going to need a spatula.” Kit finished as he watched as the planes got close to the ground.

“Baloo there has to be something we can do, Shade’s just a kid there’s no way he’s a match for that monster.” Rebecca said, in a low whisper making sure that no one else could hear.

“We don’t have a choice Beckers, we don’t have a plane to get up there to help him.” Baloo explained as he tried to comfort Rebecca, then turned back to the action. “He’s on his own.” the planes got closer and closer to the ground, until they reached 400 feet when Shade pushed the stick forward while tracer rounds passed inches above the canopy of his plane, as Shade started to fly upside down he smiled Von Biege pulled up from his nosedive. “That’s it kiddo keep him on his toes, do things he’s not expecting.” Baloo watched on as Shade now got on Von Biege’s tail and the two started to get lead on a merry little chase close to the ground.

“Why isn’t he shooting he has the perfect shot.” Kit asked, as he saw how close Shade was getting to Von Biege.

“He doesn’t want to risk it.” Baloo said, as he watched on himself. “Any stray bullet could hurt one of the Thembrian ground troops.”

“But if he doesn’t shoot how is he going to win this?” Baloo turned to Rebecca and smiled at her.

“Don’t worry Beckers he’ll win, no question about that.” As Baloo turned back to the action his face turned worried as he noticed that Von Biege was staying too high out of the effective range of the Thembrian troop’s guns, while at the same time making it hard for Shade to get a clear shot. Baloo then watched as Shade preformed a split S maneuver and waited for Von Biege to follow. As Baloo watched on he saw the reaper of the sky take up position behind Shade, the young pilot tried to lead him close to the ground but the more experienced pilot wasn’t going to fall for the same trick that one of his wingmen fell for. As Shade pulled back up into the air Von Biege once again got on his six and this time started to fire just above Shade’s cockpit.

“Alright Von Biege, you know some of my tricks, but do you know this one.” Shade said, to himself as he chopped his power, and kicked hard rudder, swinging the P-51’s nose around at the same time opening fire and strafing the side of the 109 as it flew by, as he got in behind it, he could see black smoke started to come from the 109, as he kept shooting until his guns ran dry making sure that the 109 was down for the count. Before moving on watching closely for Von Biege to bail. Inside the cockpit of the 109 Von Biege tried desperately to open the hatch once Shade stopped shoot, as the fire from his engine started to come in through the controls, but as the ground came closer, and he tried harder, he saw four apparitions appear on his wings holding the hatch shut.

“Not this time Reaper, you don’t get another chance to put are Shade in your gun sights again.” the ghostly figure of Barbra said, as she looked at Von Biege who started to scream as his cockpit started to fill with fire moments before it crashed into the ground. As Shade watched the plane wreck he smiled softly, as he pulled back into the cloud coverage, setting the radio back to its previous setting Shade smiled slightly as he started to speak with a slight growl in his voice once more.

“Come in Thembrian high command, this is the ghost calling, how goes the battle front?”

“Ghost, oh thank the flounder that you are safe, all enemy forces are being turned away, once their air support was gone the ground units where easy to scare away. They could not stand against the glorious people’s military.” the radio operator announced as Shade rolled his eyes.

“Alright then, I’m going to take one more pass over and make sure that I didn’t miss anything, I’ll be landing in.” Shade looked at the fuel gage and smiled slightly. “In half an hour, also is your high Marshall nearby?”

“Why yes, but you cannot speak with him.”

“Do shut up, before I have you shot.” the high Marshall said, as he grabbed the mike from the operator. “Ghost you wish to talk to me about something.”

“I do your sir, I was told some friends of mine where endanger of your firing squad today.”

“That is true.”

“Alright then, I invoke Бой праведного.” at the statement of these words Baloo’s head snapped back and looked at the radio.

“Now just a cotton picking minute, I’m not about to let you do that.” Baloo said, as he stormed up and grabbed the mike getting several guns pointed at him. “There is no way I’m letting you do this kid.”

“You have no choice in the matter Baloo, once Fight of the righteous is invoked it is unable to be undone, in other words I’m doing it and you’re going home.” Baloo shook his head at the last statement as he looked at the high marshal.

“I am not of your family Baloo, there for if I should fail to be victorious in this, I take your place at the firing squad.” Shade explained, as he kept flying. “And before you think anything you say can change that. It won’t, the challenge can be made by man, woman, or child related or not.” Baloo looked at the mike for a minute before he turned and looked at Rebecca and gave a half hearted smile, she hadn’t heard what had transpired and he was glade of that, he was happy to know that his future wife and his kids would be spared of the threat of the firing squad, but at the same time he felt terrible that if Shade should happen to fail this he would be taking their place. Back in the plane Shade had turned off the radio and flew above the cloud coverage smiling faintly. “I miss you Barbra… I miss everyone that I’ve lost.”

“We know little one.” Shade’s head shot up as he looked to his right at the sound of a new voice, standing on his wing was a figure that he hadn’t seen for years, as tears started stream down his face his smile got larger and larger looking at the figure.

“Kang.” with that the figure gave Shade a slightly disappointed look.

“What ever happened to mother?” Shade blushed slightly as Kang gave him a smile and reached through the glass of the canopy and stroked his cheek.

“My little wolf, we know you miss us, we know you fight on to try and keep the true heart of Panda-La alive.” Shade turned and looked at Kouken who did the same as Kang and stroked Shade’s head.

“Yeah kiddo we’re all proud of you, for what you’re doing but we hate to see you the way you are.” Gloria said, as Shade started to notice four ghostly planes appearing around his.

“They’ve been with you since they’ve passed my son, each and every one of them helping you along on the path of life.” Shade froze slightly at the sound of the last voice, he had heard it once before, a long time ago, as he looked down he watched as two ghostly hand reached around him and wrapped around his, as the voice giggled slightly.

“Who… who are you?” Shade asked, not knowing this spirit by name, not remembering the face that belonged to the voice.

“My dear sweet little Shade, I would have been there to watch you grow.”

“Who are you spirit?” Shade asked once more as he lowered his head and tears came as he watched the other spirits vanish from sight leaving him and the ghost of a woman that he could not remember alone.

“I wish are time had been longer so that we could have known one another better. Me and all of your friends will keep watching over you.” Shade turned around slightly so that he could see the spirit’s face only to see the face of the pilot the night before smiling back at him. “I should tell you to stop, to give up the ghost, but we have seen the future events and know that you will be needed.” the females face grew said, almost sorry as she told Shade this and then perked up as she smiled at him. “You’ve made me and your father so very proud of you my little one.” the spirit kissed Shade on the cheek before it vanished like the others, and as Shade turned back around he kept looking forward with a smile on his face as tears streamed down his cheeks. When time came to land, Shade was met with a hero’s welcome by the Thembrian military as he walked up to the high Marshall and bowed slightly.

“It is an honor to meet you High Marshall, I take it that my friends are being taken care of?”

“They are.” As the two walked the High Marshall looked down at Shade and smiled slightly. “You know I am amazed that you are what we have heard so much about, if I would have seen you before the attack I would have thought it some kind of joke, but after your display in the air, I assume that what we have heard is true, but to then to take up the fight of the righteous, you must be something else, you sure you don’t have some Thembrian blood in you?”

“I’m almost positive on that, otherwise you might be looking at a blue wolf.” as The High Marshall and Shade walked into the firing squad area, Shade looked up into the VIP stands and saw Baloo, Rebecca, Molly, and Kit standing beside the high Marshall’s wife.

“The challenge has been made, an act that hasn’t been done in years, so ladies and gentleman don’t touch that dial as we bring you a blow by blow of the fight of the righteous.” Shade looked at the radio announcer then at the High Marshall.

“Don’t suppose I can request this not go across your radio air waves.”

“Sorry my superiors wish for this to go out.”

“Fine, let’s just get this over with.” As Shade walked into a circle of guards he took over his trench coat and then looked at a towering Thumbrian troop, as he got into a fighting stance he smiled slightly.

“HOLD IT!!” Spigots voice rang out and got Shade to stand up straight, as Spigot made his way to the center of the circle and then slapped his crop on Shade’s shoulder. “How do we know that you are not wearing some kind of protective armor under that shirt.” with that Shade opened up his shirt only to reveal some bandages wrapped around his mid section and upper body. “HA!” As Spigot struck Shade’s chest with his crop he smiled. “And what is this some kind of new armor of the USlanders?”

“It’s called bandages you small side of bacon.” Shade said, as he started to button up his shirt. Then winced as Spigot hit his wrist with the crop.

“And what if you might be hiding some kind of weapon under your sleeves? We’ve all heard about all your tricks and always having at least one ace up your sleeve.” Shade lifted up his sleeves and showed nothing under them.

“Happy?”

“NO.” Spigot hit Shade on the top of the head with his crop, as he spoke. “I am not happy. (*WACK!*) we can’t trust you in this challenge (*WACK!*) unless you removed any and all weapons, (*WACK!*) and show us that you have nothing that can be used to beat are champion unfairly.(*WACK!*)” with that Shade looked at Spigot and then took a deep breath.

“Are you finished?”

“No I am not finished.” as Spigot tried to bring the crop down on Shade’s head once more Shade grabbed it and threw it to one side.

“Hit me again pork chop, I’ll rip out your tusk, and shove them in a very unpleasant place.” with that Shade turned and looked up at Baloo. “BALOO COVER THEIR EYES.” Shade called out, and as Baloo looked at him confused he then nodded and covered Kit’s eyes as Rebecca covered Molly’s. Shade then took off his shirt and threw it to one side revealing that his upper body was wrapped in bandages, while the audience gasped at what they we’re looking at.

“I… I don’t know how to describe this folks, the Ghost has removed his shirt, and under it looks like some blood stained bandages. Whatever did this to the Ghost must have been some kind of monster, but for this person to still stand before us, let alone win the dog fights earlier today is simply remarkable.

“Baloo, the book.” Rebecca whispered to Baloo, as a tears started to form her eyes as she held Molly’s face away from the scene. Baloo looked at her and could see the sadness in her eyes.

“I know Becky, I know.” What Baloo didn’t know was that Kit had found a slim gap in Baloo’s fingers and was looking at the image himself on the ground he could see Shade’s bandage back.

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Flash back

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It was the night that they returned from getting the cure for Kit, as he looked up and smiled at Baloo who he was helping tie the Sea duck to the dock, he looked at the big bear and saw Rebecca talking with Shade at the other end of the dock. “Hey Pa-pa bear, why is Shade here?”

“Oh he had to show us where to find that cure for you, he was kind of a pain if you ask me, little arrogant, we had to see these tribal people and before I could say anything he drugged me, and took some kind of test to let us walk in there forest, don’t really know what happened during that, he doesn’t want to talk about it, and be honest I’m sure it was nothing your old Pa-pa bear couldn’t handle. Kid just likes to work on his own, and do things his own way. Don’t really think he knows what it’s like to let others take care of him, and to be honest the sooner he leaves the better I’ll feel.”

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Present day

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At the time those words meant a lot to Kit to hear that his first true friend, current legal guardian, and soon to be father, not like Shade put a lot of his worries at rest, but now that he was looking at Shade he could see someone different, and wondered if the reason for his bandages had anything to do with him.

“It is hard for me to describe folks it seems as if the Ghost is already badly hurt, possible from his earlier battle today, but he still stands before the people’s champion to fight for his friends, stay tuned as we bring you the blow for blow action.” Shade turned and faced Spigot once more and then pushed him to one side as he looked up at the Thembrian champion.

“Lets get this over with.” with those words a hush went over the crowed as the Champion threw the first punch only to have his weight and momentum used against him as Shade grabbed his hand, and flipped him over his shoulder. “That’s one, please stay down.” Shade said, as he knelt down and started to breath hard, as he looked at the Champion. The Champ looked at Shade and could tell that the damage to his body had already been done, Shade wasn’t up for a long fight bringing a smile to grown man’s face. As Shade moved away, the Champ got to his feet and charged ready to clobber Shade, only to be stunned when the smaller warrior got in under him and delivered a devastation blow to his gut knocking the wind out of him causing the grown fighter to land on his knees, gasping for air. “That’s two, stay down.” the crowd cheered as Shade walked away from the champ. Baloo and Rebecca both noticed that Shade was moving slower as if he was in a great deal of pain, the last two moves had forced him to use muscles he was trying to avoid using, and only brought more pain than he had expected. After a few minutes the champion got back to his feet ready for another round. “Stay down, I’m asking you nicely not to do this.” Shade requested as he looked at the grown man, not really wanting to hurt him.

“I WILL CRUSH YOU!!” as the grown warrior charged he brought his fist down so hard that it kicked up the dust and loose snow filling the area for a few moments. “Where is your cocky mouth now?” in a flash the Champ felt something run up his arm jump off of it and above the cloud of dust and snow Shade appeared moments before he planted both his knees into the collar bones of the champion causing the grown man to scream out in pain as the bones broke and he fell to the ground.

“STAY DOWN!!!” Shade yelled, as he grabbed the Champion by the throat and bared his teeth. “Or be put down, your choice.” with that the Champion looked into Shade’s eyes and nodded. As the Champion was helped away Shade picked up his shirt and put it back on. “I believe that means that my friends are clear to go?” Shade stated, as he looked at Spigot.

“W-why yes, anything you say.”

“Good how long before we are allowed to leave?”

“That will not be for another few days.” The High Marshall said, as he looked at Shade who looked away from him.

“I am sorry that I hurt one of your troops, but I had no other choice.”

“I understand, as does he. Tell me, are you going to leave with your friends or on your own?” Shade looked at the high Marshall and then gave a quick glance up at Baloo and Rebecca who looked at him almost mournfully.

“I’ll stay a little while, I need some rest.”

“Very good you, just as your friends, will stay with me and my wife as are guest.”

“Thank you sir.” hours later Rebecca stood outside Shade’s room and paced slightly not really knowing how to address Shade at the moment, after a few minutes of pacing she was just about to walk in when several Thembrian nurses came out with a bowl full of bloody bandages, their eyes told a tale that Rebecca didn’t want to know about, as she walked in and found shade putting on his shirt over new bandages.

“So the book didn’t lie, everything was true about the test, and what happened during it.” With that shade looked over his shoulder at Rebecca.

“It is.”

“And you knew about the test, you knew what was going to happen on the island, and what needed to be done to get the cure for Kit, and you took us there and endured it.”

“I did.” Rebecca crossed her arms and then started to bit her right thumbnail as she looked at Shade and then at the door to the room, unsure of how to keep going in the conversation, before finally walking up and kneeling down to Shade, turning him around, and noticing that Shade refuse to look at her.

“Why?” there came no response from Shade as he kept looking away from her. “ANSWER ME!!” Rebecca shook Shade slightly getting Shade to look at her. Tears running down her face, as she looked at him.

“Because you need Baloo, Kit and Molly need their father, if I fail than only I’m lost, no one will miss me.” these words earned Shade a slap across the face before Rebecca pulled him into a hug.

“You're wrong, you are so wrong Shade.” As Rebecca held Shade close he could feel her tears starting to soak his shoulder. “You're just a child… why.” Shade started to answer but stopped, as he found himself slowly moving his arms around Rebecca. “Why did you have to suffer like this.” his chest started to fill with a warm sensation as he slowly lowered his head and rested it on Rebecca’s right shoulder.

“Because I can.” they stood there hugging for several minutes before they stopped, as Rebecca stood up she could see it in Shade’s eyes, he wasn’t against what had happened though he was unsure of how he was supposed to feel.

“You don’t have to be alone.” Rebecca finally said, as she put her forehead to Shade’s. “You can always let someone in.” with that Shade turned away and then looked around for a few moments, unsure of what to say. After a few minutes Shade started to laugh as he looked at Rebecca, bringing a smile to her face.

“What’s so funny?”

“I’ve faces death several times today and now I’m too scared to say anything.” Rebecca smirked slightly at this, and put a comforting hand on his right shoulder.

“When we get back to Cape Suzette, at least think about it alright?” with that Shade nodded “Alright.” with that Rebecca started to leave only to stop at the door and look at Shade, as he stood in the light of the window. Later that evening there was a large banquet held in honor of those that fought during the day, As Shade sat next to the High Marshall he noticed the large officer looking at him a lot.

“You want to know if I ever take off this mask.” Shade asked, and the High Marshall only cleared his throat slightly.

“I do.” his wife asked as she looked around her husband. “And what’s wrong with your voice, it’s so raspy.”

“The answer is yes I do take it off once and a while, but only when I wish to walk among the people without being noticed, my voice is to make sure no one can tell me apart from the people by the sound of it, It’s all to make sure people I do care about don’t get hurt, and that my enemies don’t come after me.”

“Well that makes since, so can I ask you something.”

“Brittany.” The High Marshall grabbed his wife’s hand and looked at her compassionately.

“But if.”

“No… he has done so much for are country today, we cannot ask him for another favor.” with that Shade looked at the two, then looked forward at the leaders of the country.

“Today we have won a great victory for Thembria, we have protected are home land and sent the would be invaders back to where they came from, but we would not have been able to sustain such minor damage if it was not for the help of the Ghost from Cape Suzette, who came to bring us back are golden statue, and stayed to defend are capital while the rest of our soldiers where fighting on the front lines, and as the high speaker of the Thembrian council I would just like to offer the Ghost a chance to ask the people for anything that his heart desires as a show of good faith and allegiance with are mommy land.” with that Shade looked at the man that was standing at the head table. As Shade stood up himself he looked around the room as it grew silent, he closed his eyes and smiled slightly as a faint chill filled the room. After a few minutes he looked up at the council man and smiled.

“I do have one request your honor.”

“Then speak and it will be done.”

“Your adoption rates, and waiting time frame, I would like them to be cut down to only 6 month waiting periods, so that the children of your orphanage as well as those that wish to adopt are able to do so and have happier homes.” with that both the high Marshal and his wife looked at Shade in shock as the room filled with murmurs and the council man looked at the rest of the Thembrian council members, before he turned and smiled at Shade.

“It will be done, by tomorrow morning, anyone that has been on the waiting list for more than six months will be allowed to adopt a child.” The room filled with cheers as it seemed there had been a lot of people trying for so long to have a family but was held up by all the paper work. As the days passed Shade smiled as he walked the streets of Thembria seeing quickly formed new families and hearing the laughter of children, with his one request it seem to cause a flood of several backwards laws to be over turned and thrown out, it was no longer illegal to play in the snow, he didn’t know how things would turn out in the future but he could see that things seemed a little brighter in this frozen land as he boarded the Sea Duck on the last day getting a promise from the High Marshall that once his plane was fully repaired, refueled, and rearmed that he would be notify Rebecca, and he would be allowed to return to pick it up. As he stood at the cargo door waving to the citizens he smiled, to see them all waving back, adults and children all smiling and waving, the one that brought a bit of joy to his heart was as Baloo took another pass over and he could see the High Marshall with his wife who was holding up a little Thembrian girl.

‘I hope their joy remains with them until the end of time.’ Shade thought to himself as he flipped a switch and let the door shut.

“Is that why you fight?” Shade smiled as he turned around and saw no one else in the cargo area. “To make others happy, to give them hope in these uncertain times?”

“What do you mean uncertain times father?” Shade asked, as he walked over to the bunks and sat down.

“Unlike you little one, we are able to see into the future, and see battles not yet fought, cases not yet solved, and the aftermath of choices that you have not yet made.” Kouken said, as he faintly appeared next to Shade.

“Then tell me the choices to make and I will make them.”

“We cannot do that Shade, you must make those choices on your own, it was the agreement that we made to come back and watch over you, and to prepare you for the battles yet to come.”

“You speak as if there is a war on the horizon father, what are you not telling me?”

“You will be faced with many difficult times to come child, and the end is uncertain. But what is clear is that when the false sun rises you will have to choose to stand or watch.”

“Stand or Watch? If this false sun threatens people I will fight to the bitter end, I will give my last breath as you taught me father.”

“You speak bold now, but when the time comes you might find it harder then you may think.” After a while of silence, Shade lowered his head and then noticed how the cargo area seem to get even colder until he could see his breath, as he looked up he could see all his passed friends and family standing around the Cargo area smiling at him. “We ask this question of you now Shade, it’s up to you to make this first choice, do you wish to stop now, do you wish for us to leave you alone and let you live out the rest of your life as a normal person?” Shade looked at Kouken and then the others.

“You said it yourself just now, the future is uncertain and unstable, you speak of battles not yet fought and cases not yet solved, lives hang in the balance… I don’t know what the future holds or the threats that I must face, but if you all stay by my side like you have been, if you stay with me, then I will keep fighting, until we I am able to join you on the other side.” with those words Kang walked up and smiled at Shade.

“We never really left you little one, we’ve always been here helping you.” Shade looked at Kouken and could see a grim look on his face.

“Is there anything you can tell me about the future?” the sound of concern was present in Shade’s voice getting everyone to turn and look at Kouken who stood leaning against the wall.

“I’m unable to tell you the future directly, but I am able to inform you that a dark day will come when an army of the fallen will march, and an army forgotten must rise.” with those words Shade looked at Kouken with a puzzled expression on his face.

Tune in next time when Kit gets a side job to help earn enough money to buy Baloo and Rebecca a wedding present, but winds up getting into trouble with the cops, and gets locked up in a juvenile detention center.