Quest of Heroes Preview Chapter

The music blared through the speakers in the Thunder Bolt night club. It was another busy night but, the DJ was taking the night off. Shade sat at one of the tables watching the pairs on the dance floor. It was an evening for couples and as they danced to a slow song Shade layed her head down on the table and watched. Not even her Mountain Dew could cheer her up.

Someone else was taking a night off from work. Or, at least a break. Drake Mallard had noticed the little pikachu seemed down which wasn't normal, at least not surrounded by music and lights of her own club. He decided to see what he could do to at least try and get her out of her mood.

"Hey Shade." He said as he sat down at the table. "Taking a break?" Shade didn't even look away from the dancefloor as she answered. "Hi Mr. Mallard." She said in a sad, flat tone. "I'm just not feelin' the beat tonight."

It was obvious his first attempt fell. He tried putting his detective skills to the test. There had to be something bothering her. She hadn't been defeated by any low lifes in the city, at least as far as he knew. Did she maybe need a challenge? No, that couldn't be it, she'd just go challenge one of the Fearsome Five if she needed to test herself. He felt bad, she seemed to know a lot about his other identity and the city yet, he hardly knew anything about her.

Shade answered his thoughts with her next comment. "Mr. Mallard? Do you ever miss your family when your at work?"

Drake hadn't meant to but, he chuckled at her comment. This didn't help Shade feel any better. "Sorry for asking a dumb question." Drake shook his head. "No no, you misunderstand, Most of the time my family tags along with me to work."

"Must be nice" Shade said, almost a whisper. Drake heard it though and his cheery mood sadened. "Don't you have a family?" Shade closed her eyes and shook her head which was still rested on the table. "I don't know where they are. I had a mate and a daughter but, they've vanished. I don't even know if their still alive."

This was a surprised for the disguised hero. He had assumed Shade was still a kid, she seemed energetic enough to be one, she also shared their attitude and fighting spirit. It never occured to him that she could have a child of her own, even worse, she had no clue where she was. He didn't know what he'd do in her place, aside from turn the city upside down looking until she was found.

He placed a comforting hand, gently on her head. "Do you want help finding them?" Shade looked up at him and shook her head. "No! Please, don't go to the trouble. You've got your own daughter to take care of and I couldn't forgive myself if you got hurt. Who knows what dangers you'd be facing!"

Drake chuckled again, this time it was filled with confidence. "Danger is my middle name." He stood up and stretched. "Besides, I'm not talking about me. I have a few connections. Meet them on the roof top in about thirty minutes." With that he finished his drink and left, throwing the CuCu cola can into the recycling as he left out the doors. Shade watched him go, She had mixed feelings about a lot of what he had just said but, she also thought she saw something strange. She shook her head, clearing away the confusion.

She looked up at the dancers with the music and lights spinning and glimmering. It seemed like they were in a trance, no matter what happened outside, they'd keep dancing, in the arms of the ones they love. Shade smiled and headed upstairs.