A/N: Finally, I can actually update with a new chapter. Hope you enjoy this.

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Chapter 10

Epiphany

Ok, let's see. "Hey guys, I'm sorry for being such a jerk. Now let's go and take down Shadow for the greater good of ghosts out there." Nah, sounds too machismo. Oh how about? "Listen, I'm super sorry for acting like such a coward. Forgive me?" Ok, now I sound like a poor sap that's lost all real meaning in life. Stretch sighed exasperatedly. He had spent the last couple of minutes pacing up and down in his bedroom, thinking up an appropriate apology to deliver his brothers. The apology had to be meaningful yet authoritative. He certainly didn't want Stinkie and Fatso to rub this in his face whenever they had another one of their childish arguments. He was the leader after all. After the little 'confrontation' with Kit Kat, he remembered his rightful place.

He had multiple epiphanies about the entire situation. He could picture Shadow laughing maniacally at his newfound control over Whipstaff. He cringed as he imagined himself being beaten down and insulted relentlessly by Shadow who'd probably make everybody his personal servant. Stretch frowned in dismay as he saw Casper being forced to pick out food particles in Shadow's teeth. The poor kid! Stretch would never do that to the little runt. Despite everything he put Casper through; he always, secretly, goes upstairs to give the kid a goodnight kiss. Stinkie would probably be ordered to clean everything…with his kryptonite. Water! Stinkie would never be able to handle it. Fatso would be forced to cook for the fiend and not get a single crumb of the goodies he prepared. And then there was poor, pitiful, sexually abused Kitty Kat.

Stretch felt the long extinguished fire being ignited in his cold, dead heart. His fists clenched tightly at the prospect of Kat being groped or hit on by Shadow as she, with no willingness at all, traipsed around in a figure-hugging, super short and low-cut French Maid outfit, fishnet stockings and kitten heels. Shadow would call her a stupid nickname such as 'Baby Doll' and command to do the most degrading tasks. Stretch had vowed, had promised and had sworn to Kitty Kat he'd never let that happen to her.

Secretly, underneath all the embittered coldness he showered Kat with, he treated with a great deal of respect and never really had indecently handled her. Disbelievingly, Stretch had become somewhat of a bodyguard to Kat. Once, when she came crying home after being bullied and nearly raped by a teenage boy at her school, Stretch had ordered Stinkie and Fatso to bring back the little troublemaker to Whipstaff. Needless to say, the boy returned to school permanently attached to a wheelchair with a broken arm, a dislocated knee and a snapped spinal cord. He also profusely apologized to Kat, surprising her immensely. Yup, unbeknownst to her, Stretch cared. And now he had to show that by his actions.

"Ok, it's now or never," He muttered when he heard Stinkie and Fatso approaching their bedroom. They seemed amazed that Stretch had finally dragged himself out of the attic. Their leader gave them a sheepish little wave. "Uh…hey guys?" He greeted half-heartedly. When they didn't respond, Stretch immediately catapulted himself into the apology.

"Look, I know I screwed up big time. But I'm ready to make it up to you twos if you just let me," He held out his hand as a peace offering and smiled hopefully. Stinkie and Fatso exchanged big goofy smiles and flung themselves at Stretch's lanky structure, hugging him like abandoned children who've finally found their parents.

"Aw, of course we forgive you, you big softie. And to think we thought we lost you forever!" Fatso boomed as he squeezed his elder brother hard.

"You twos are going to lose me right now if you DON'T STOP CRUSHING ME!!!" Stretch managed to thunder underneath all the ectoplasm. Stinkie smiled in glee. "Same old cranky brother of mine!" He declared, finally removing his clinging arms off Stretch's pencil thin neck. Stretch muttered about the pain while massaging his sore neck. However, he soon smirked triumphantly. God, he felt like a born again ghost!

"Well, boys, I think it's time we gave Shadow a little wake up call. And that's that you should never mess with the Ghostly Trio!" With that the reunited brothers hi-fived each other and went in search of Shadow. That is until they ran into Casper. The little tyke looked fraught with fear and worry.

"Guys! Terrible news! Kat's missing!"

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A/N: Oh no, what happened to dear Kat Harvey? Find out in the next chapter.