Disclaimer: not mine, not mine, not mine…

My son and their sons shall follow me

The ship had just landed in the middle of the jungle. Flash was beginning to feel skeptical, even though he didn't want to show it. How were they going to find the Phantom in that place?

"Did you ever meet him?" he asked while the three men started searching.

"Yes, indeed, I met him once", Mandrake answered. "It was just after his son was born. I was…"

He never finished his sentence. The three foreigners were suddenly trapped into a net and lifted from the ground. The Bandar warriors were surrounding them. There was no way they could escape or, more exactly, there might be ways but they didn't want to escape now. The Phantom was the Bandar's friend and protector so maybe this was the best way to meet him.

The newcomers tried to explain why they were here but the warriors just tied them up and walked them to an unknown destination. A few minutes later, a black panther appeared in front of them. She was closely followed by two teenagers, a boy and a girl.

"Stop!" the boy said. "The Bandar are our friends. Who are you and why are you here?"

Mandrake understood immediately. The kids were Caucasians, the boy was about seventeen and the girl looked very much like a younger version of the Phantom's wife. They had to be his children.

"You're Kit Walker Jr., aren't you?" the magician asked.

"He asked you a question", the girl said. "And you're trespassing."

"I met your father a long time ago. I would like to talk to him."

The children exchanged a glance, and then the boy said something in Bandar language. The warriors untied the newcomers and escorted them to Skull Cave. On the way, Kit warmed to them a bit and told them a few things about them. They hardly ever had visit, he was glad to see new faces for a change, his sister Jedda was one year younger than him and their mother was dead. He seemed to be genuinely happy to see them, which really surprised Mandrake as his father was more the cold and aloof type. Jedda, on the other hand, didn't talk much and had her head in the clouds.

In Skull Cave, the Phantom listened to everything. Much to Flash's dismay, he didn't seem to be moved by Dale Arden's fate.

"I work against pirates", he said. "This is not my field of expertise."

"Ming the Merciless is technically a pirate."

"I'm sorry. I can't do anything for you."

Lothar glanced at Kit and Jedda, hoping they would say something. They both seemed uneasy. After a few seconds, the son got up.

"Father, let me go and help them!"

"You're still too young and too inexperienced, Kit."

"Well, that seems to be a great way to gain experience! I'll find that Ming myself!"

Jedda couldn't help giggling. Why couldn't her brother act less silly? He frowned at her and said:

"You don't think I can do that?"

"Well…" she said slowly, trying to think of something appropriate to say.

"Oh, I know! We'll both go and find him!"

The Phantom sighed inwardly. Sometimes he really had a hard time understanding his kids. Kit was overenthusiastic about everything and never took anything seriously. As much as the Phantom loved his son, he wished he could gain a better sense of responsibilities. As for Jedda, she was nice and endearing, yet she sometimes acted like a total baby. Yet they were his heirs. Kit would take over his mantle one day and Jedda would probably have to help him sooner or later. Why didn't they ever grow up?

Maybe some more experience would be exactly what they needed…

"This seems to be a good idea", he said.

"What?" Flash said. "You're giving us your kids?"

"Lending would be more appropriate. They're both great trackers and I'm sure they'll be able to help you."

"What? We're children!" Jedda protested. "I'm sixteen!"

"Then you're going to be under my responsibility!" Kit said happily.

Flash, Mandrake and Lother glanced at each other. Flash eventually got up and gestured his friends out.

"This is getting ridiculous!" he said. "He's mocking us! What does he want us to do with his kids?"

"The Phantom is an extremely complicated person", Mandrake said. "Maybe this is just part of a test. He might decide to help us if we're nice with his children. I want to accept it, anyway."

"Anyway the kids look nice", Lothar added. "Your Rick had a hard time recently. He could do with new friends."

Flash nodded. A few hours later, the children flied to Central City.

To be continued...