A\N: Sorry, it's been a while. There were other things that required my attention. Anyway, let's begin.
O.J knew he couldn't hide it forever. It would be best to tell her now to prevent breaking her heart at a time like this, and he never wanted to hurt her in any way. It was a heavy weight on his chest, and it only grew heavier every time he saw Wildmask. He watched Zip and Wildmask play under Zebedee's watchful eye. It was just the very fact that her mother was much closer than to the Z-Stacks than anyone else thought was rather heart-wrenching. Wildmask never got to know her real mother, and Zebedee had no knowledge of the secret affair. If he was to tell them, now was the time.
Zebedee smiled warmly as O.J mosied towards him. "Hey there old timer. How's life treatin' ya?"
O.J rolled his eyes at Zebedee's comment. "Very funny Zebedee. I'm fine thank you." O.J took a deep breath. "There's something I've been needing to tell you and Wildmask." he swallowed the lump in his throat, obviously uncomfortable with what he was about to tell them. Zebedee gave him a weird look, and called Wildmask back to him.
"Yes, Zebby?" Wildmask giggled. Zip joined her side and gently nuzzled her. O.J chuckled softly. Wildmask had given Zebedee a pet name.
"There's something I've been meaning to tell you both." O.J paused, trying to make it sound not as bad as it really was. "It's about... Shadowpelt." his heart sank as Zebedee's old wound began to bleed.
"What?" Zebedee snapped, trying to hold back tears.
"If you haven't already noticed Zebedee... Wildmask reminds you of Shadowpelt sometimes doesn't she?" O.J asked him. Zebedee was silent for a few moments.
"Yes, she does." Zebedee wasn't comfortable with talking about Shadowpelt.
"Well... there's a reason for it. I promised Shadowpelt I wouldn't tell you, but," O.J paused, "I think that Wildmask has the right to know." O.J took a deep breath. "Shadowpelt... had an affair... with Captain Zero."
Zebedee stiffened, and his blood turned cold at the old steamer's words. "Why didn't she tell me?!" he growled. He refused to believe it. Shadowpelt never showed any interest in anyone. It was so unlike her. "This... this isn't like her."
"Zebby, who's Shadowpelt?" Wildmask tilted her head to the side. Zebedee felt a tear roll down his cheek.
"She... was my last Rider. We were... close, closer than any other tug and Rider. She left on an ocean voyage... Her ship was caught in a storm and the ship was destroyed." Zebedee sobbed. Wildmask was in shock. She had never seen Zebedee cry before, let alone expected it. He was so strong in her eyes, but now... he's different. Zebedee gritted his teeth. "There were no survivors... If only I refused to let her go... she'd still be alive." Zebedee looked down to see Wildmask's face had contorted to an expression of sorrow and agony. She felt his pain.
"Shadowpelt..." O.J sighed. "She became pregnant and Captain Zero abandoned her. She couldn't afford to keep the baby, so she set it up for adoption. Her baby..." O.J decided it was best to get it over with. "Shadowpelt is Wildmask's mother."
Wildmask's heart sank. She wasn't born into a normal family of humans. Her father, Captain Zero, wanted nothing to do with her, and her true mother died. She never got to know her mother, but at least she could try to reconnect with her father. Actually, it felt more like Zebedee was her father. He took her in and gave her the gentle love and care she needed.
"That's impossible. I would've known if she was expecting, and Captain Zero would've been dead by now." Zebedee growled.
"Did you sense another presence hidden in her Zebedee?" O.J knew he was pushing his luck. Zebedee didn't reply for a few moments.
"Yes, I did, but... I only caught faint traces of it." Zebedee carefully reached out for Wildmask's mind, and paid more attention to the energy around it. His eyes grew wide. The very energy her mind gave off was felt just like the tiny presence in Shadowpelt. Tears started to well up in his eyes again.
"Zebby, are you okay?" Wildmask gently touched Zebedee's flank. Zebedee didn't answer for a moment.
"Yes, little one." Zebedee couldn't believe it. It all makes sense now. Now I know why I felt it was fate that we met. Zebedee thought.
I feel that way too Zebedee. I feel that way too. Wildmask nodded.
A\N: So here's Wildmask's REAL parents, Captain Zero and Shadowpelt. I can't imagine holding something like that in for so long. O.J must really had been a good friend to her. There will be plenty more in the future!