Disclaimer: Talespin and related characters are property of Walt Disney© Company. The author do not claim property over any characters belonging to Disney, and no profit has been made from the writing of this fanfic. This is for entertainment purposes only.
Wings of Destiny
Chapter 1
- Higher for Hire, Afternoon -
The Superflight 100 engines in the old cargo plane roared to life and soon the aircraft was gaining speed on the water, taking off and soaring in the afternoon sky, moving past the famous cliffs of Cape Suzette.
- Aaah, nothing like a day off after saving the city, huh kiddo? - The big gray bear on the pilot's seat grinned as he nudged his young navigator, who at that moment was looking down at the ocean below.
- Oh yeah! And I can still see the U.S.S. Valiant down there, Papa Bear. I guess they will take her home soon - Kit said, referring to the huge battleship who patrolled the waters close to Cape Suzette.
- Well, it doesn't look like old Karny will be showing up anytime soon! - Baloo said. -Many of his idiots got arrested and his big airship will need a lotta patches to fix the damage the boys in the Valiant gave 'im. Guess we get some vacations from Air Pirates!
- About time too...- the young bearcub whispered - I was checking the schedule for next week, Baloo, and we have...
-Aw, c'mon, partner, not today! - Baloo chided - Today, we party, and we RE-LAX! Next stop, Louies!
And the yellow seaplane swerved to the side, course set to the pilots bar.
Meanwhile, in her apartment, Higher for Hire owner, Rebecca, was cooking dinner and enjoying a peaceful afternoon with her daughter, while the little girl was tuned to the radio listening to her favorite show: Danger Woman.
- Those Air Pirates are no match for the Danger Woman! - the yellow bearcub girl boasted as she jumped on the couch, wearing a pasta strainer pot on her head and a red blanket tied around her neck as a cape.
Rebecca simply watched her daughter and giggled. - Well, Danger Woman, don't forget that you need to eat your veggies to remain strong so you can fight the pirates.
The little girl made a grimace, and Rebecca added - And don't forget your secret food, the Danger Woman Ice cream.
Molly grinned and jumped again. - Yippy!
Rebecca sat on the couch and hugged her daughter, happy to be home.
Downtown, in a small coffee shop, right next to a known ice cream shop, a retriever barista was serving a nice mocha cup to a bear in his twenties who sat at one of the stools, wearing glasses, jeans and a leather jacket.
- Thanks Phil - Jon Goldwing smiled at the barista.
- You are welcome kid... hey, radio been booming this afternoon about how the crew of Higher for Hire helped liberate the Valiant and save the town from those pirates...you work there now, don't you?
- Yep - Jon said as he took a sip of his coffee - but it wasn't just the crew...all the cargo pilots who hang out at Louie's risked their lives to liberate the ship.
- Still, kid, if you helped, you did all the business owners here a big one. We'd have to close down if those pirates had taken everything. - Phil said honestly.
- You're kidding? Where I'd get my coffee if you did? Nobody does it like you. - Jon grinned as he slowly drunk his cup, savoring it. However, when he went to pay, Phil shook his head .
- On me this time, kid. No arguments or no more coffee. - The barista said.
Jon simply smiled - Yes Sir. Thanks Phil. - and walked out to where he had his motorcycle parked, mounted it, started the engine and rode off.
And on the other side of the street, a black car immediately started its engine and rode off, following the accountant.
And at Louie's, a huge celebration party was going on.
- Hubba-dubba Baloo ma man, you came! - The simian bartender swung from one of the lamps on the ceiling and landed on a table before the big gray pilot who just came through the door and high fived him and the young navigator by his side.
- Wouldn't have missed it, cuz! - Baloo grinned. - Hey fellas! Any pirates around? - Baloo chuckled while addressing the reunited pilots in the bar, who helped fend off the pirates and save Cape Suzette.
The answer was a huge general laughter from all of them, old Willie saying - Maybe , son, but we gotta look for them! They must be hiding under the tables! - which prompted more laughter.
- A round for everyone on the house tonight! - Louie announced, which was greeted with cheers.
- So, Louie - Baloo started as he sat on a stool before the bar - how about something special for the best navigator in the world here? After all, his plan saved the day! - the big bear put an arm around Kit proudly.
- Say no more, cuz! A Krakatoa Double Special for our bright kid here! - the monkey grinned as he started preparing his super-special sundae, while the bearcub himself was blushing.
-Aw, guys, c'mon...it was a teamwork, everybody did their part and we all beat the pirates together! - Kit said, but Louie and Baloo were having none of it, and in seconds, the biggest sundae in the Caribbean was sitting before the young bearcub.
- Dig in, Lil' Britches, you deserve it - Baloo grinned. - You are the star of the day!
- Oh! - Louie gasped - And talking about stars... - the bartender got up on the counter and swung his way through the hanging lamps and landed on the stage, behind him a huge curtain and before him a tall microphone on a stand.
- Okay, my buddies, fellas and good looking people, ladies and gentlemen! - the monkey announced - We got tonight, for the first time, a VERY special show that will knock you all off yer shoes and make yer hats flip! Everyone, a round of applause for...The Lady in Green - he grinned and hopped off the stage.
The lights in the bar dimmed down and the stage curtains opened. It was dark, but a curvy, feminine silhouette could be seen. And then a slow placed romantic tune started... the monkey band playing by the stage. All eyes looking at the shadow in the center.
And then she started singing. It was breathtaking. Her voice was sultry but well filled and the emotion on the song was as if sung by a princess from a fairy tale. It was a song about loss and then win...about Love and intense feelings.
And then she stepped forward into the spotlight. She was an exotic, Cocker Spaniel with light fur and darker ears that flowed like hair by her shoulders...a mesh of the same fur color of her ears dangling from above her forehead and over her face. Her honey colored eyes gazed at the audience displaying emotion and confidence as she sang. She was wearing a long, glittery dark green dress, green gloves, her bare paws visible under the dress, and she held the microphone and sung with a voice that would impress Broadcast Sally and melt the coldest heart.
Around the bar, all the mouths were open and all eyes were on the stage. Those included Baloo, and even Kit. Her voice swooned everyone present and even brought tears to some.
And soon, it was all over, she finished the song, retreating to the shadows of the stage as the curtains closed. And, after a long silence, the house erupted in applause and cheers!
- Man, oh, Man, oh MAN! Louie, where didja find that beauty? - Baloo grinned as he applauded.
- Trade secret, cuz - the monkey grinned - OKAY EVERYONE! NEXT SHOW ON TUESDAY SAME TIME! BE HERE OR MISS IT!
Even Kit was still mesmerized - Wow...she...wow...
- Hey cuz...if yer "Lady in Green" even got our kiddo here floating, you got a real success in yer hands! - Baloo chuckled and high fived the bar owner.
- You know it cuz! - Louie grinned.
The party went on, but downtown in Cape Suzette, in the headquarters of the richest businessman in town, work went on as usual despite the late hours.
Sitting at the large, round table, Shere Khan himself was getting the reports from the directors of each of his company's branches. One of the reports he was about to receive however, were half-expected.
- What is the status of the prototype's development? - The intimidating tycoon tiger asked calmly.
A frightened black panther wearing glasses and a suit cleared his throat - Sir...the engineers have come to a halt. They have tried all the configurations they could think of, but without a working model to clone, or the original blueprints, completing a functional prototype has not been possible.
Khan merely looked with his usual cold, expressionless gaze. - Very well. Put the engineers on unpaid leave then. Until we have the blueprints, their services are not required and the department will be suspended until further notice.
The panther was left with his mouth open, but swallowed and nodded - Yes Sir.
Khan then pressed a button on his intercom - Miss Snarly. Get me in contact with Mr. Jones urgently. I want him in my office before morning.
The tiger then placed his hands together, touching his clawed fingers and squinted his eyes, in deep thought.
- Higher For Hire, Monday Morning -
- Higher for Hire, one moment please! - Rebecca answered the phone while holding another phone to her ear. - Yes, Sir, Higher for Hire! Yes, our crew was part of the Valiant's saving! For tomorrow? of course, Sir! Hello, Higher for Hire, one moment please! JON, NEED YOUR HELP HERE! -she yelled at her accountant.
- And...I...Need...help...too...- wheezed the golden brown bear under the weight of a huge, heavy crate that he was helping Baloo carry.
- Nfff...don't...complain...Books...let's just...get this...over with - Baloo grunted as both bears carried another one of several crates into the Sea Duck. - WILDCAT! - Baloo screamed - How about that cart we need to load this?
The feline mechanic had half of his body inside one if the engines of the Sea Duck. - Ah, yeah! That cart wuz really sick, Baloo! Only had one wheel! So I took out the other one so it wouldn't feel lonely! When I get a new one, they they'll be both happy together!
Baloo blinked and smacked his own forehead. - Never mind, this is the last one...c'mon Books, help me out.
More grunting was followed by both bears carrying the last crate inside the Sea Duck. The gray pilot closed the cargo hatch and sighed in relief - Well, the worst is over now...
- BALOO, YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT FIVE MINUTES AGO! - Rebecca screamed from her office.
The big bear pilot quickly signed his flight scheduled and handled it to Jon - Tag, pal, yer it! - and before the accountant could answer, Baloo dashed inside the Sea Duck and WildCat barely had time to jump off the wing before the yellow cargo plane backed away from the docks, did a reverse 180° turn and sped through the water and soon was just a dot in the sky.
- JON, NEED HELP WITH THESE PHONES! - Another scream by the business woman came out.
- I Love my Job, I Love my Job, I Love my Job, I Love my Job - the accountant whispered as he walked back inside the office.
When he walked in, Rebecca was already dressed in her trenchcoat - Jon, get the calls, make the sales, take the complaints, balance the accounts, and smile while I go to these clients to get these contracts signed - she had a folder full of papers in her hand. - I'll be back in three hours.
- Aye aye Sir - the accountant chuckled before he could stay anything else, the phone rang and Rebecca was out through the door.
The hours passed and after two hours, the phones finally gave the golden bear a break. He was now busy with the papers when loud sounds of water splashing outside and a bump startled him. - What the...what was that...- he quickly got up and looked through the window.
He saw a small seaplane that seemed to have seen better days, and a figure climbing out from the cockpit, walking a bit dizzy at first and then after some head shakes, walking straight again. He shook his head, dismissing it and went back to the desk.
That however didn't last long, for as soon as he sat down, there was a knock at the door.
- Please, come in - He answered, and the door opened. Standing before him was the same figure from the docks. Now that he could see well, it was a bit taller than Rebecca, wearing purple jeans, a bomber jacket, a green scarf, goggles and a pilot's hat. Behind the goggles, the bear could spot a dog's face. - Uh, welcome to Higher for Hire...how can we help you?
The strange pilot-like character walked in and looked around, stopping before the desk, raising the goggles and lowering the scarf. - Hi! Huh, is Mr. Baloo here? - the stranger spoke in a feminine voice. It was a woman.
Jon blinked twice in surprise and answered - Ah, no...Miss.. he left a few minutes ago to deliver cargo...he should be back late this afternoon.
- Oh... - she said sounding disappointed - Aw, alright! I'll wait for him on my plane then! Thank you, Mr...?
The accountant got up and offered his hand - Goldwing...Jon Goldwing, Miss...?
She smiled and shook his hand - Bonnie Ellis! Nice to meet you! Goldwing, nice! Just like my plane! Cute name!
Jon instantly blushed from that comment but smiled and nodded at her as she waved and walked out.
As she approached her plane at the docks, however, she was surprised that a small lion dressed as a mechanic had the engine lid open and was checking around.
- Hey! That's my plane! - She growled and came running, only to be greeted by a face full of smudge.
-Ah, yeah! She was all "cough cough cough" because her carburetor was all clogged and such, but I told her to stay calm while I cleaned and now she is like "whoooooosh!" - WildCat simply explained.
Bonnie blinked twice, not sure of what to say or do. Then she walked to her plane and turned the engine on and it roared to life with a clear and powerful sound. - But...but...it was...now it is...HOW? Wow, thank you! - she smiled happy like a kid and offered a hand to WildCat. He shook her hand with a paw full of grease.
- Yer welcome! She's a beauty! They don't make those anymore! - the mechanic said.
- I know, but I Love her! - Bonnie grinned - Hey, maybe you can help me with these flaps...
From a black car parked near the docks, a rat wearing a fedora and trenchcoat was looking through his binoculars at the pilot girl, the mechanic and her plane, shook his head in dismissal then focused on Higher for Hire's office, where Rebecca's car had just parked by and the business woman walked in.
- Well, how are things? Do we have more clients? - she grinned as she walked through the door.
Jon hung up the phone and held an agenda full of scribbled names, numbers and dates. - A few...
Rebecca grinned and did a happy dance - Yes! And with the contracts I just closed, we are doing just great! How about the rest?
- Just finished the accounts, Miss Cunningham. May I go out for my lunch time now? - the golden brown bear asked.
- Lunch...oh...actually...I had no lunch either...- Rebecca realized. - Let's go! There's a good restaurant just a few blocks from here! - she got his jacket from the coat hanger and tossed him.
- Not one around ice cream shops with trucks-crossing streets? - he chuckled, slipping the jacket on.
- VERY funny - she glared - Just for that, YOU pay, Mister.
They walked out of the office and into Rebecca's car, and soon were off.
However, they were not alone. A familiar, black car followed them from a distance.
Meanwhile, at Kit's school, it was lunch break too. But instead of having fun with the other kids or the other members of the Jungle Aces, he was sitting on a bench under a tree and going through a pack of old Flyboy magazines.
- Hey Kit, what you're doing? - a young hyena known as Ernie, one of Kit's friends came and sat down on the bench.
- Hey Ernie! Just...some research. - the navigator answered while looking.
- Those are old magazines - Ernie noticed. - What you are looking for?
- Something, maybe...oh? - he stopped as he spotted an article and grinned - this is...this looks like...- he squinted his eyes and brought the magazine closer to look at a photo.
- What is it? - the young hyena asked.
- I don't know, Ernie...but if I am right... - he whispered - then I guess I'm going to solve a big mystery!
Not far from the docks, Rebecca and Jon just finished their lunch.
- Mmm, okay, you win. This is a great restaurant...and cheap! How did you find out? - the accountant asked his boss.
Rebecca simply smiled - Baloo. He surprised me one night when we went out and could not find any free tables in fancy restaurants in town...he brought me here...of course, I was worried the service would be bad and the food, because of the looks and price...but it is actually one of the best in town.
Jon simply smiled - Baloo brought you here for dinner?
Rebecca coughed a bit and blushed - Well...yes. As friends. Not...FRIENDS in that way, but...friends! You know what I mean!
The accountant just smiled brighter, prompting another glare from his boss.
- WHAT? - she said - What are you implying, Mister?
Jon put his hands up - I didn't say anything!
- And if you want to have a job, you better not! - the business woman said.
Moments later they were walking out of the restaurant, toward Rebecca's car, when their path was interrupted by two lions huge as mountains, standing before a dark limousine.
- Mr. Goldwing? - One of them asked.
The bear looked surprised - Ah...yes?
- Mr. Khan wishes to see you, Sir. Right now. - the other lion said.
- Shere Khan? - Rebecca said puzzled - But...now? We are during work hours, can't he set an appointment?
One of the lions simply looked at Rebecca. - Are you with Mr. Goldwing, Ma'am?
- No she is not - Jon quickly answered.
- Why, of course I am, I am his boss and..HEY! - she gasped as arms that were thick as tree trunks grabbed them and threw them inside the limo, closing the door. Next thing the tires were screeching and the car was speeding off fast.
- Cape Suzette, Shere Khan's office -
A visit to Khan's office was not always the most enjoyable experience. Especially when you are thrown inside said office. And that is exactly what happened with Jon and Rebecca.
The two bears groaned and got up.
- Mr. Khan, you REALLY need to consider making phone calls instead of using these... methods - Rebecca complained, having experienced this kind of "meeting" before.
The tiger stood looking through the huge windows, his back turned to them. - Miss Cunningham? What a surprise. I did not request your presence specifically, my apologies. - He then turned around, his arms behind his back, standing proudly - The only one I must talk to is Mr. Wilson Jonathan Goldwing here.
The accountant squinted his eyes as he walked closer to the desk, looking up at the tiger who was almost a foot taller than him. - And how can I help you...Mr. Khan?
Khan simply gave a hint of a smile and gazed with penetrating eyes - I think that you know, Mr. Goldwing. I have been patient, but my engineering team was...lacking. And time...is money. So now, here we are and I must recuperate my investment.
Rebecca looked even more puzzled, from Jon to Khan. - Wait! One moment here now. Jon, just what is he talking about?
Khan ignored the bearess and looked straight into Jon's eyes with a predatory look, who returned the gaze without blinking. - I want the blueprints, Mr. Goldwing.
- There are NO blueprints, Mr. Khan - Jon calmly said. - I am a certified public accountant, not an aircraft engineer. You have the company and everything in it.
- NOT everything, boy - Khan snarled. - The blueprints were never found, neither was a working model. Without that, the company is worthless. And I am sure that you must know something about those.
- Well, I am sorry to disappoint you. We were not that close. - the bear said. - You own everything that belonged to that company, and I do not wish to have anything to do with it. I hope you find what you are looking for...now if you'll excuse me... - and the accountant turned around and walked to the elevator.
- I do not believe that I own everything that I paid for, Mr. Goldwing - Khan said at the leaving bear. - But I will. Good day.
Rebecca hurried after Jon and at the street, she stopped in front of him. - Now, just WHAT was that? Blueprints? Company? Aircraft Engineer? Just...WHO are you, Mr.. Mr...WILSON Jonathan Goldwing? - she confronted him, pushing him back and poking her right index finger on his chest.
Jon opened his mouth to speak but no words came out...he then looked down and sighed. - I guess I should not hide this from you guys anymore...I'll tell everything at the office.
Meanwhile, a familiar yellow seaplane had just arrived the docks before Higher for Hire, and Baloo stepped out.
- Hum...now where's everyone...- he wondered, scratching his head.
- Mr. Baloo? It's really you? - A feminine voice called and Baloo spotted a girl dressed as a pilot stepping out of a worn out plane.
- One and only, kid...- he grinned - and you are?
- I'm Bonnie Ellis Sir! It's a pleasure to see you again! - she offered her hand and the gray pilot bear shook it confused.
- Again? Well, girl, I don't think we ever met before! - he smiled.
- Yes we did! At least I saw you while we were at Louie's last Friday - she said excitedly.
- Ah...but...you're sure? I know all the pilots at Louie's and can't remember you, kid. - he said suspicious.
- Oh, I'm not a pilot yet! But I want to be! I want you to teach me! - she smiled, her fluffy tail wagging behind her.
- You are not a pilot and you were at Louie's? Girl, wait...just WHERE were you then? - he said annoyed.
She rolled her eyes - I was singing! At the stage!
He blinked in surprise - You were WHAT? HAH! Nice one, kid! But I was there, and there's no way you could...
He never finished the sentence, as she removed her scarf, her hat and her goggles and shook her ears, letting them flow down her shoulders...and she started singing the same, beautiful song, with that Heavenly voice that awed everyone at Louie's.
After long moments being dumbfounded, Baloo whispered - Oh man, oh man...it is YOU!
She simply smiled. - Well Mr. Baloo, can we talk about flying lessons now?