Prologue

In the peaceful night of Atmos, the people of Terra Atmosia sleep unaware of what flies across the moonlit sky…flying, as though life was on the line. A shadowed messenger drops from the heights and speeds to Atmosia's Council of the Sky Knights…for an urgent meeting with the elders…

Setting: Atmosia; Early Afternoon

"We are SO lucky that we got here during such a sale day!" Piper happily announces to Aerrow, Finn and Junko who trail behind her with their arms full of items they recently picked up. "We'll be able to restock all of our supplies on the Condor for the next month! Isn't this the best day ever?!"

"Yeah…sure," Finn rolls his eyes. "Best day ever…she's not the one who has to carry all these supplies…"

"At least she's right about restocking the Condor," Aerrow optimistically replies. "I don't think we could've gone another day with Junko's experimental home cooking."

"Rawrah!" Radar gagged.

"Well, at least it was a creative menu," Junko smiled awkwardly. "Considering what we had to cook with…"

"We just need to stop at a few more places," Piper checked down a list. "If these guys are having sales too, we can cash in on-"

"Hey, what's going on over there?" Finn interrupted and pointed at the Sky Knight Council building where cheering a crowd has gathered.

"Something big must be going on." Aerrow paused and looked.

"Maybe they registered some new Sky Knights," Piper suggested. "Let's take a look!"

"We'd like to, Piper…" Aerrow glanced back at Finn and Junko. "But we've kinda got our hands full. We're gonna go unload these back at the Condor. Let us know what's going on when you get back."

"Alright," Piper leaves the guys and heads over to the Council building. She manages to push her way through the crowd and gain a better view of who or what has the people in such a cheerful pack. To her surprise… "No way! You're back! You came back!"

Back on the Condor

"I wonder what all that commotion was back in town," Finn said as he unloaded his ride. "Sure seemed like a big deal there."

"Yeah, too bad we had all these supplies," Junko replied. "I wanted to see what was going on."

"Piper will fill us in," Aerrow looks at both Finn and Junko. "If it is a new squadron, we'll go meet and congratulate them after we store away all these supplies."

"Piper gets to have all the fun…" Finn grumbles. Stork suddenly appears and seems elated to see them…or rather the supplies.

"At last!" Stork acts all exasperated. "We are saved! Fresh, new, REAL food! I thought we were going to starve!"

"My cooking wasn't that bad…" Junko pouts a bit.

"Don't get me started on that…" Stork shudders. "I hope Piper quickly restocks the supply of Sandcakes she…where is Piper?"

"She's checking out some event going on back in town." Aerrow replied. "She'll be back soon Stork. How about giving us a hand with the supplies?"

"Well, it usually goes against my principals…" Stork paused. "But if it'll help avoid the wallop's culinary experimentation, I don't mind the work."

After a few hours, the evening began to set in. All the supplies had been put away, and the Storm Hawks were eagerly waiting for Piper's return.

"What is TAKING her?!" Stork was growing antsy. "If she doesn't get here SOON, then we'll be at the mercy of Junko's cooking!"

"Well, I'd help with that, but-uh- I can't cook," Finn sighed.

"I can't really cook either," Aerrow shrugged. "And I know Radarr…well, he'll eat just about anything."

"Rehk!" Radarr shook his head.

"Well, almost anything," Aerrow smirked. "I wonder if we should go find her. She should've been back by now."

"I'm all for it," Stork nodded. "The sooner you find her, the better! I can't LIVE without real GOOD food!"

"Hey guys!" Junko called from the hanger. "I see Piper! She's coming back!"

"Saved!" Stork wiped his brow.

"She's got someone with her!" Junko added. "Looks like we've got company!"

"Company?" Finn looks up and runs toward the hanger, followed by Aerrow, Radarr and Stork. Piper motors up on her Heliscooter followed almost immediately by an unknown Skimmer who skids to a stop at the edge of the hanger's entrance.

"Guys! You'll never guess who I found in Atmosia!" Piper jumped off her scooter and happily ran to the waiting skimmer and their guest. After a few moments, Piper and the unknown person approach the inner hanger.

"Who is…wait…" Aerrow looked harder. "Oh no…"

"Dude…isn't that?" Finn squinted.

"Guys," Piper smiled. "I'm sure you all remember…"

"RawrRAH!" Radarr jumped up and leaped at the visitor.

"Radarr! Don't-!" Aerrow tried to stop him, but it was too late. However, Radarr wasn't attacking the visitor, he was…snuggling?

"It's good to see you again too, Radarr," The visitor happily pet the purring fur ball. "It's good to see all of you again, and especially you, little bro."

"Hello…Soara," Aerrow seemed to force a smile.

"Soara!" The other jump into a welcoming frenzy around Soara, who happily takes it all in.

"It was just by luck!" Piper turned to Aerrow. "She just happened to be here in Atmosia at the same time we were! Isn't this the best day EVER?!"

"Yeah…" Aerrow gave a half hearted smile. "The greatest…"

"How about I help out you guys with dinner?" Soara happily offered. "That is if you guys haven't already eaten?"

"Not yet," Stork replied as his stomach grumbles. "We've been waiting for Piper to come back."

"Yeah, I'm SO sorry about that, guys!" Piper apologized. "I'll get started on something special! If you want to help Soara, that would be great!"

"It would be my pleasure," Soara smiled and followed after Piper, chattering all the way. Stork follows after them too, eager for a taste test.

"This is gonna be our best dinner yet, dudes!" Finn jumped up. "It's been like, forever since I've eaten something cooked by Soara!"

"Yeah!" Junko joined in Finn's joy wagon. "How long has it been?"

"About three years…" Aerrow replied dryly.

"Really?" Finn thought for a moment. "Has it been that long?"

"Yeah," Aerrow sighed. "Exactly that long." Aerrow turns and walks away from the hanger.

"Hey, Aerrow!" Junko called out. "Aren't you coming to dinner? I know you're hungry like us!"

"Lost my appetite," Aerrow replied. "I'm going to my room for a while. I'll see you guys later." Aerrow continues on his way and disappears down the passageway.

"I guess he never got over it," Finn muttered to Junko.

"Got over what?" Junko curiously asked. "Those two never seemed to have any problems, from what I can remember…"

"Dude, about three years ago," Finn added. "When Soara left."

"Oh…OH!" Junko nodded. "Oh…I see. I guess not. So what should we do?"

"What can we do?" Finn shrugged. "It's between them."

"I guess you're right," Junko sighed. "I hope Soara doesn't get upset if Aerrow doesn't come to dinner."

"Guess we'll soon find out," Finn patted Junko on the shoulder. "Let's go get some grub!"

The two friends depart from the hanger to prepare themselves for a good meal, and an unpredictable evening with their long lost guest, Soara.