Gar stood there, motionless. He took off his glasses, wiped them, and out them back on. He couldn't find the words to say, but he felt terrible for arguing with his mother right in front of him.

Carol wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry you had to see me like that honey. I've been a wreck the past few days. We've been looking everywhere for you."

"And I've been trying to get back to the plaza the past few days," K.O. said. "You won't believe the things I've seen mommy! I even fought off a robotic bear!"

"A robotic bear, huh?" Carol said sitting down against the counter. "I bet that was something."

"And then I got chased by bees," K.O said awkwardly while looking away and rubbing his arm.

"Wait, robo bears?" Gar said as he walked over to the others. "K.O., describe the bear to me. This sounds familiar."

"Well it looked mostly bear in its body, but it's face was half metal and had this menacing red eye," K.O. said. "It punched me really hard in the eye and pinned me against a tree. It moved really fast and wasn't even on all fours."

"That sounds…"

"There was also a group of cyber robot monkeys that had the same metal face and eye. They also could turn their hands into cannons and shoot pellets. They also threw this mud that smelt really REALLY bad," K.O. said as he held his nose."

"Jeez kiddo," Carol said. "Sounds like you've had quite the wild time."

"Cybermonkeys… cyberbears…" Gar pondered. He then came to a realization. "Oh no…"

Carol looked up at Gar. "Gene, what do you know? Where is he?"

Gar took in a breath. "Nobody freak out with what I'm about to say."

Carol stood up and got in Gar's face. "Gene! Where is he?"

"He's in the Kunai Forest," he said. "He has to be."

"Hey, Enid taught me about Kunai one time," K.O. said. "They sound really cool. Maybe that's a good sign."

"Is it Gene?" Carol asked/

"Far from it," Gar said. "The Kunai forest was a place where ninjas were prevalent. It was vast and covered with trees. Time went on and the forest was slowly abandoned. Its sheer size made it easy for hikers to get lost, and many times they stayed lost."

"It's also located far south from the plaza," Dendy said, who was reading information from her phone. "It's also somewhat isolated, located on a small island in the middle of a body of water."

"It was officially declared an endangerment to the public after a failed boxmore experiment," Gar continued. "He attempted to use an army of robot animals to take over the plaza. Needless to say, he failed. He created so many of them that he had to dump them all in the forest."

"That explains why they've been so aggressive," K.O. said rather somberly. He then sat down, and a look of defeat came over his face. "So, I'm lost, in a forest surrounded by water, far away from the plaza, with Boxmore robots that want to kill me…" His voice trailed off, and a tear started to role from his eye. "Guess I'll never make it home…"

"That's not the K.O. I know," Dendy said. "The K.O. I know would normally dive head first into a challenge such as this. The K.O. I know, and love would take on such a challenge. Even if he knew it was near impossible."

"She's right K.O.!" Carol said. "You can't just give up in the face of adversity! That's not what heroes do!"

"But now I know I'm super far away!" K.O. exclaimed. "I have to find my way out of this forest AND cross the water! You heard Mr. Gar mommy, people die here! No one has ever come in here and gotten back out."

"That doesn't mean it can't happen sweetums! You must at least try! You could be the first one ever to make it out of Kunai forest! Now how cool would that be?" Carol said in an encouraging tone.

K.O. put his hand under his chin and thought about this.

"She's right, K.O.," Gar said. "Just because it hasn't been done doesn't mean it's completely impossible."

"Even when I run the statistics, there is still possibility of survival, K.O.," Dendy said. "Numbers don't lie."

K.O.'s face changed to be a bit more optimistic, be he still felt unsure about the situation.

"Come on sweetie," Carol said. "Wouldn't it be cool to be able to brag to Rad and Enid that you're the lone survivor of the Kunai Forest? Who knows, you might even get a level up for such an accomplishment."

K.O.'s face lit up. "You guys are right!" he said excitedly. "I can do this! It'll be really tough, but I can do this," he said as he did a fist pump.

"Thatta boy, K.O.," Gar said. "Plus, with this weird doo-hickey, we can communicate with you and give your assistance."

"That's correct," Dendy said. "The mini hackpack has unlimited battery. You'll be able to communicate with my hackpack 24/7. And maybe with a little bit of coding," Dendy said as she adjusted her glasses, causing them to flash, "I might be able to send your signal to everyone's phone via a mobile app, allowing multiple people to be on call at once."

"Wow!" K.O. said. "That would be awesome! It's like someone doing a livestream on their video channel!"

"Precisely," Dendy said. She then got a text and saw she needed to head home. "My father is telling me I need to walk home. Ms. Kincaid, if you can be careful with my hackpack, I'll gladly let you take it home, so you can continue your conversation with K.O."

"Thank you, Dendy," Carol said. "I'll it back by here tomorrow. I'm sure K.O.'s friends would love to see him."

"Then I shall return tomorrow," Dendy said. "Goodnight, K.O. Do not let your spirits deteriorate. We're all rooting for you."

"Goodnight Dendy," K.O. responded. "Thanks for the mini hackpack. It'll be a huge help!"

Dendy then went home. Carol and Gar went back to Carol's house with Dendy's hackpack in hand and they talked with K.O. all the way home.

They eventually got home, and Carol put the hackpack on the bunk above the couch.

"You need to get some sleep, K.O.," Carol said. "As soon as the morning come, start moving and look for food. I'll call you whenever I wake up. It might be awhile though. I haven't slept since you went missing."

"Ok mommy," K.O. said. "I've had a long day anyway. I'm just glad I can talk you. I really want to be home."

"I know sweetie. I know," Carol said as she put her hand up to the screen. "I love you. Keep spirits high."

"I love you too mommy," K.O. said. "Goodnight mommy. Goodnight Mr. Gar."

"Night K.O.," Gar said.

K.O. shut off the device and sat up against a tree. He looked up at the sky and smiled. In a day that felt like utter hell, he was glad to see his mom again. He went to sleep, feeling optimistic about what was likely going to be a huge adventure for him.