Okay. This is my first fanfiction! Yeah! After coming here for months, I finally registered, pushed into it by that stupid plot bunny who keeps hitting me in the head! Here's the first result.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Storm Hawks.

Storm Hawks-The Drifter

By WhispertheWolf

Prologue: Tell Us the Story

The Storm Hawks all sat at the round table on the bridge. Aerrow smiled at his team. The final plan was set. Aerrow, Radarr, Piper, Finn, and Junko would join the other Sky Knight squadrons in a frontal assault while the carriers, including Stork and the Condor, would bring up the rear of the attack. With his team covering them, Aerrow and Radarr will break into the Cyclonian palace, stop Master Cyclonis's plan, and, with the help of other Sky Knights, Aerrow will stop Master Cyclonis once and for all.

The team was not as enthusiastic as usual. All of them worried about the final part of the plan. It was true there would be at least four other Sky Knights there to help him, but it would still be hard for them to watch Aerrow leave for the fight of his life. Even though they didn't voice it, the nagging fear was there in the back of their heads: what if he didn't come back? And what of Radarr? He will be there, too, even if he doesn't join the final battle. What if the little guy is injured by a stray shot or something?

For most of the team, the fear was easy to ignore. They'd been in so many dangerous situations that it didn't seem possible for one of them not to make it out this time as well. Radarr always had a knack for avoiding trouble, anyways. And Aerrow? Well, he's Aerrow. Every single one of his teammates will swear up and down that there was nothing he couldn't do. These thoughts eased most of their worry, but it was still there.

Aerrow knew they were worried. The truth was he that he was a bit nervous himself. But he refused to let this show. Keeping his smile perky and confident, he said, "Well, guess we better get ready. Stork, head to the outskirts of Cyclonia. That's where we'll meet the other squadrons." He stood up. "I think I'll go prepare, and I suggest you guys do the same. Come on, Radarr." With a little chirp of agreement, Radarr leaped and landed neatly on Aerrow's shoulder as he walked toward the door.

Piper looked uncertain at first, but then she called after him. "Aerrow . . ."

Aerrow stopped and turned around. "Hmm?"

Piper started playing with he fingers and seemed to take an unusual interest in the tabletop's design. "Are you . . . Are you sure about this?"

Aerrow came to stand next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "This is why we're here, isn't it? To protect people." He looked around at his team. "And this is how we can protect them from Cyclonia forevermore," he added. Looking down at Piper again, he smiled. "Don't worry. We'll be fine, won't we Radarr?"

Up until this point Radarr had been looking doubtful and shaking his head at Aerrow's every word, much the team's discouragement, but the moment Aerrow looked at him, Radarr nodded in agreement. Whether it was for loyalty to a friend, obedience, or whether he really felt his confidence grow with Aerrow's reassurance, the rest of the team couldn't be sure.

Aerrow gave Piper's shoulder a squeeze before he left. For some reason, that simple action comforted Piper more than any words.

For a few moments, the team sat in silence, taking it all in. Finally Piper said, "I'm glad it's come to this."

The team looked startled. "What?" Finn asked. "You're glad we could possibly lose Aerrow?"

"Of course not!" she countered. "I'm just glad Aerrow is finally going to give the world he's wanted the world to have for so long now."

"A fight?" Junko asked in confusion.

"Peace," Piper answered. "Think about it. The rogues are done. They've all chosen sides. Monsters, for the most part, are not bothering anyone. And once Cyclonia's out of the way, Atmos is looking at a long period of peace. It's everything we've ever fought for ever since we were Storm Hawks. It's all Aerrow's ever fought for since he was old enough to understand it."

"It's not going to be complete peace," Stork grumbled. "There's always mindworms. And I don't care what you say," he added, pointing a finger at Piper. "There's always, always going to be monsters causing mayhem. Even in your so-called 'time of peace', we'll all be doomed."

Piper smiled. "Of course, Stork."

"Whoa, whoa," said Finn. "What do you mean 'since he was old enough to understand'? Not when he was a little kid?"

Piper looked thoughtful. "Most of his life, actually."

"How?"

"Don't you remember how he was living when we met?"

"What, when I met you and Aerrow, or when you met and Aerrow?"

"What do you think?"

"Of course I remember how Aerrow was when we met! He was the same guy he is now."

"Then you obviously don't remember much."

"Oh, oh, tell the story!" Junko begged. "I love stories!"

"I'm not sure," Piper told them with hesitance. "I mean, it is Aerrow's story."

"I'm sure he won't mind," Stork replied.

Everyone was looking at Piper expectantly, even Stork much to everyone's surprise. "Well," Piper said, "I guess it's kind of my story too, so . . . I'll tell you."

So the Storm Hawks leaned closer, their ears open as Piper told how she met a strange boy who would later change her life for the better.

What do you think? Yeah? Nah? Continue? Stop? Please review. Or keep reading. Or both!