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