Hello everyone, your computers haven't fooled you - I'm still alive and writing. I wrote this songfic over the summer and continued it a bit in the fall. In other words, it's been a work in progress for a while and probably is a little different from my usual writing style since I wrote it over such a long time. So, just hang in there while you read this, I think it makes a little more sense as you get further into the story, however, it's also meant to be a little bit mysterious.

I know some of you that have followed some of my other stories over a year and a half ago may be wondering why I'm back when I said I was leaving. Truth be told, it's hard to explain. I've left a quick note on my profile with more information, and feel free to message me if it's not enough.

Now, with out further delays, please enjoy my second songfic.

I do not own the Storm Hawks, they are the property of Nerd Corps. I also do not own any rights to the song "Stand in the Rain" by Superchic[k].

Standing on Hope

We'd been fighting the Cyclonians for what felt like hours now, but I knew it hadn't been that long. The Cyclonians had only ambushed us fifteen minutes ago, but the Condor had been no match for Master Cyclonis' massive flagship. We had been forced to make a crash landing on this uncharted terra before we had even been able get to our rides.

The landing had been rough, but I had mentally congratulated Stork for being able to get the Condor on the ground with it and everyone inside in one piece. There hadn't been much time to think about that though when as soon as the Condor had reached a stand still, several green, crystal tipped arrows flew in through a damaged section of the roof.

The arrows hadn't hit anyone, but when we were all about to heave a collective sigh of relief, another volley of arrows followed the first. This time, one of their glowing green tips hit Stork's foot and shattered on impact. A green smoke rose up from the shattered crystal and the twisting tendrils of the smoke almost seemed to claw at the poor Merb as it slowly enveloped him.

The rest of us had looked on in horror as the smoke dissipated, revealing a bright green glow about Stork. That's when Aerrow had ordered us to abandon ship, and I had felt Stork's threatening, glowing green eyes following us as we dashed off of the bridge.

Since the moment we had reached the hangar bay, it felt like I hadn't stopped fighting.

She never slows down.

Now I was at the edge of a clearing near a large stand of trees I had seen just before we crash landed. I was standing with my back to the forest, hoping none of the Talons had ventured into it yet.

We had fought hard together to make it out of the hangar bay and each of us had carried that momentum into the battle that was waiting for us in the clearing below. I hadn't slowed my pace since then, and I didn't plan to. It wouldn't be of any help to me or my squad-mates if I allowed myself to slow down or let my concentration slip.

She doesn't know why but she knows that when she's all alone, feels like its all coming down

We had no problem keeping the Talons at bay at first, but when another green tipped arrow shattered against Junko's shin and enveloped him in a cloud of smoke like Stork, the rest of us had been forced to separate and fight alone since we were too big of a target together. Plus, we had just lost another one of our friends to whatever affects the green crystal smoke caused, and splitting up seemed like a logical way of not losing anyone else. Or at least, it had seemed like that at the time.

I knew they'd try to pick us off one at a time either way, but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling I felt in the pit of my stomach. They had already managed to hit Stork and Junko, and I hadn't seen the others since we split up. I still heard the sounds of battle that weren't just the ones being caused by myself and my attackers, so I hoped against hope that Finn, Aerrow, and Radarr hadn't been hit yet either.

I could handle fighting Talons on my own, they aren't as skilled and as practiced as I am, especially when it comes to Sky Fu, but right now, I'm beginning to feel tired, and my doubts about this entire ambush are still trying to rise within me.

She won't turn around

Just as I finished knocking two Talons out with my staff, I heard a cry of fear from the other side of the clearing that sounded a whole lot like Finn. How could I tell? It was the exact same scream I hear each time his skimmer is shot down in battle.

Either way, I couldn't bring myself to turn and look in the direction of my startled squad-mate. I had my own worries to attend to, especially when I noticed that suddenly there were twice as many Talons surrounding me than there had been before Finn's cry.

The unease in my stomach rising, I slowly took a few steps back from my assailants, surprised that they weren't attacking me for the moment even though the mob of men clad in deep red and green uniforms that stood before me in a massive arc outnumbered me greatly. But that's when I heard it. Or rather, I heard nothing.

Silence. That's all there was. The sounds of my friends battling valiantly that I had heard moments before had suddenly vanished, replaced with the sound of the wind whipping through the trees behind me.

I couldn't find a way to convince myself to turn and run into the forest, I needed to know what had happened to my squad-mates. I had to know, even if it might be something terrible. I didn't turn my eyes away from the Talons, but that didn't mean I didn't see the storm clouds closing in on the terra, or that I didn't hear the long roll of thunder adding to the wind's symphony.

The shadows are long

I held my staff in a defensive position, but that's when I realized that the Talons were beginning to move aside so that others could join in the semi-circle of Cyclonians. The small group of individuals that walked forward and stood before me made my heart sink, and my hope began to slowly fade away.

And she fears if she cries that first tear, the tears will not stop raining down

Ravess and Snipe had appeared first, but it was the four that followed them that caused salty tears to bite at the edge of my eyes, but I blinked them away and tried to make my face unreadable. However, I knew my own heart and thoughts. I knew how little hope there was now that Stork, Junko, Finn, and even Radarr stood before me, their eyes all glowing a ghastly green.

I had to keep my inner fear and turmoil in check, or else it'd spell the end of my chances, and the chances for finding out what was wrong with the others. Most importantly, I couldn't give in to my distress, since as long as there was still a chance that Aerrow was somewhere and hadn't been hit by a crystal, there was still hope.

At least, there would be more hope lighting the way than I felt there was now while I was by myself.

So stand in the rain

The ominous clouds that had been on the horizon a few minutes ago felt like they were drawing closer and closer with each passing thud of my racing heart. I knew soon enough the clouds would let loose their fury on us, but the impending storm in the sky wasn't the only one present right now. I could also feel a tempest raging inside of me as I tried to make sense of what was happening.

Whatever was happening inside of my heart or happening in front of me though, I knew I had to endure. If not for my sake, for my friends'. It was time to stand through my rain of uncertainty and hope that there would be peace after the storm had passed, just as there had been calm before this storm started.

Stand your ground

Turning my thoughts outward to assess the situation before me, I tried my best to stand up straight and to look determined not to lose. It's never hard to look the part if you're living it. I knew that no matter what happened, I needed to stand my ground and find out what was going on, especially since my friends couldn't. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything happened to them – just letting the Cyclonians walk away with them wasn't an option.

Stand up when it's all crashing down

My resolve felt like it was ready to disappear though when another imposing figure joined the group of Cyclonians surrounding me.

I shouldn't have been surprised to see him since Ravess and Snipe were here, it would make sense that he would be here too. Still, his presence here on this deserted terra made my unease increase, and my fears for Aerrow escalate.

"Dark Ace." I hissed, mistrust lacing my voice.

"Storm Hawk." He spat out the words as if they were a foul taste in his mouth. The meaning of both of our comments made it clear that the feeling of hatred was mutual. I could tell from the gleam in his eyes though that he had already counted this battle as a victory against the Storm Hawks. The Dark Ace wanted to make sure I knew he had me beat as he stated, "You're the only one left you know. You even outlasted your pathetic excuse for a Sky Knight."

'Aerrow.' As his name reverberated throughout my mind and I tried to figure out what could have happened, the weak, frail barriers of hope I had given life to at the thought of Aerrow defeating whatever he had faced began to bend and buckle. If I wasn't careful, the walls would soon be cracking all around me, wanting to collapse and bury me alive in doubt and fear.

But I couldn't let that happen.

I was stronger than that.

You stand through the pain

Deciding I wasn't going to give the Dark Ace any more pleasure in seeing people cower at the sight of him, I stood up straight and let my eyes bore into his. All I could do was hope that the defiance I was screaming through my eyes would register so that he knew I was going to fight.

I'd fight anything he threw at me, mental or physical. I'd fight through whatever pain he and the Cyclonians wished to inflict upon me.

"I finally bested him girl!" The Dark Ace boasted before continuing, "I gave him a choice. Death by my sword, or become a slave to Cyclonis forever – as is the fate of your glowing green friends."

Grinning triumphantly, he whispered mockingly, "I'm sure you of all people know what choice he made."

You won't drown

I glanced at my friends and felt the pain in my heart deepen at this news, but I knew I had to endure the hurt. I knew I couldn't give into my self pity and drown in my sorrows. It wasn't what they would want.

It wasn't what Aerrow would've wanted.

And one day, what's lost can be found

Besides, if I could cling onto the small amount of hope left – and my freedom – there was a chance that maybe I could figure out what was happening to my friends due to the strange green crystals they had come in contact with. Surely there was an explanation – there's usually one of some sort when it comes to crystals.

I just needed to find it, the quicker the better.

You stand in the rain

As I felt the first drops of rain fall from the dark clouds above, I slowly began to move backwards into the forest behind me. I watched as the Cyclonians slowly began to follow me, having picked up on my movement. My four friends followed as well, but they weren't on my side in this battle – not anymore anyway.

As the menacing group continued to advance towards me, I continued my slow retreat into the midst of tree trunks and small bushes. I knew that the coming storm and the forest's natural cover might help me try to escape my enemies, but I knew that the rain and forest combined might also very well be what brought me down in the end.

Either way, I had to make my stand soon or else I wouldn't get one.

She won't make a sound

The three Cyclonian commanders threw taunts and threats my way as we all continued through the forest, my friends' glowing green eyes following my every move. It didn't matter to me what they said, I kept my thoughts to myself. I knew speaking could only betray my true intentions, emotion, and most importantly, my hurt.

It was there in that forest that I realized there was a whole lot more in the Atmos that could hurt me besides sticks and stones. There were other things that can cut deeper than any sword, things that could knock more wind and energy out of me than any well aimed punch.

Alone in this fight with herself

As I took a chance and began to retreat quicker, it seemed that the Dark Ace had had enough of my games. He was ready to call it a day – a day where he had defeated the Storm Hawks once and for all.

As the Dark Ace ignited his sword and moved to attack me, I felt as though time slowed down as I brought my staff up, just in time to block the Dark Ace's attack. He swung his sword at me again, trying to find an opening, but I kept my focus and stayed aware of what those following him were doing. He couldn't touch me right now and he knew it.

He had made the mistake of making me angry.

He had taken my friends and I wanted them back.

He had taken Aerrow's life, but my Sky Knight's determination and deep dislike for Cyclonia and all it stood for was very much alive and well in me. Despite that fact though, I still felt alone in this fight.

Not just the battle my body was fighting against the Cyclonians, no, I was alone in the fight against my doubts, uncertainties, and fears. I was fighting myself, and no escape was in sight.

And the fears whispering

"Give up girl, you can't win!" the Dark Ace hissed as I blocked yet another one of his attacks.

"That shows how much you know!" I replied with as much defiance as I could muster, as my physical strength slowly disappeared. Along with losing my physical strength, I was losing the battle in my mind to stay in control of my fears.

'You can't win!' I tripped over a tree root and felt myself falling. 'You can't win!' As I fell, I felt the heat from my enemy's sword above my head where its arcing swipe just missed 'You can't win...'

As my head hit the dirt of the forest floor, the Dark Ace's words stopped repeating themselves in my mind, but I had more pressing matters to attend to. Looking up from where I had fallen, the Cyclonian commander towered over me, his glowing energy sword at his side.

If she stands she'll fall down

I willed myself to stand again, to dust myself off, and to pick up the fight right where I had left it. Yet, it felt as though my body just wouldn't listen to my commands. I was tired, distraught; I was in no condition to fight now that my anger was dissolving into self-pity and grief.

I couldn't help but wonder how it had come to this.

How had I gotten to the point where I no longer had the strength or will to fight for my friends when I was their only hope? Most importantly, why was I convincing myself that if I tried to stand I would just fall down again?

She wants to be found

As I sat there with the Dark Ace staring at me as though I was trash, I began to feel the overwhelming desire to be saved. To be taken away from this stormy terra to somewhere far, far away.

Better yet, I wanted all of this to be some sort of sick, twisted nightmare I'd wake up from any minute now.

But it wasn't.

The only way out is through everything she's running from

Knowing that I was the only one who could defend myself right now, I fought to bring my focus back to the battle that was waiting for me. As I moved to sit up, the Dark Ace's sword was soon floating dangerously close to my neck, blocking my only path to freedom.

"I see you wish to choose the same end your Sky Knight met," As I glared at my enemy, he smirked as he leaned closer and muttered, "Nothing would make me happier."

Wants to give up and lie down.

I narrowed my eyes and realized that in order for me to get out of here alive I'd have to take matters into my own hands since the only way off this terra was to fight through all my doubts and fears. I couldn't give up, not when my friends were the ones at stake. Sure, I had a sword pointed at my throat and the Dark Ace's eyes gleamed at the thought of another Storm Hawk's death, but surely my friends were facing a worse fate.

I had to endure.

I had to get up.

I had to fight.

So stand in the rain

From where I was sitting on the ground, I swung up my leg and kicked the Dark Ace's sword out of his hand. As he yelled with rage, I swung my legs again, this time using my momentum to jump up from the ground. I flipped, grabbed my staff, and lashed out at the man before me.

Now the Dark Ace was the one on the ground, his face streaked with mud, and the rain coming through the canopy overhead slowly washed away some of the blood from the cut my staff had delivered to his face.

He was the one on the ground, and I was the one standing tall, enduring the rising storm.

Stand your ground

I smirked as the Dark Ace searched the puddles around him for his sword only to look up and see it was lodged deep into the tree behind me. He growled in frustration before he stood slowly, keeping his eyes trained on me. We stared each other down for what felt like an hour, but then he whipped around and yelled, "What are you waiting for? Attack!"

Stand up when it's all crashing down

With those words, the world exploded in noise as the shouts and cries of the advancing Talons were lost amongst the booming thunder overhead. I glanced away from the incoming Talons to see the Dark Ace smirking at me. Frowning in disgust, I reached behind me, and with a swift yank, I pulled his sword out of the tree with a strength I didn't know I possessed.

I backed up slowly, my staff in one hand, the Dark Ace's sword in another. I kept my eyes on the Dark Ace until the cries of the Talons got too close. I turned and began to shoot those that got too close with bursts from a frost crystal in my staff.

I knew there were too many of them to defeat by myself, but I was just trying to keep them at bay until I could think of a plan. Preferably a plan that didn't include my doom.

Yet, with each step I took further into the forest, I knew somehow deep down that I was just prolonging the process of my world crashing down upon me.

You stand through the pain

As I continued to back away from the Talons, an uneasy feeling swept over me as I realized that I couldn't see my friends or the Cyclonian Commanders anymore. I knew something was wrong. Before I had too much time to ponder that fact though, I heard a twig snap behind me.

Whirling around, I came face to face with Snipe - and his fist. I managed to duck away from his first blow, but then he landed a hit and I toppled over, the wind knocked out of me as I clenched my gut, trying to ignore the pain and refocus on the enemies that were beginning to surround me.

You won't drown

I tried to focus on the enemies around me, but darkness was falling early it seemed thanks to angry storm clouds above the terra. I could hardly see anything thanks to the sudden darkness, and the fact that I had fallen into a clearing which meant there were no more trees above to shelter me from the torrential downpour that hid most everything from sight.

As I stood silently, I turned towards the row of glowing red weapons, and then I remembered the one at my side. I spat the mud and blood out of my mouth as I ignited the Dark Ace's blade. I could now see the faces of those in front of me, all visibly shrinking back at the ominous glow of their leader's weapon.

The crowd of Talons parted as the Dark Ace walked towards me, clapping his hands mockingly as he said, "Well done girl, I'm having a hard time deciding whether you or your Sky Knight gave me the better chase today. You realize I got him in the end, don't you?" I gripped the weapons in my hands tighter as my anger rose within me again at the thought of the Dark Ace killing Aerrow. The Dark Ace snorted at my reaction and hissed, "He's gone, and there's no use fighting on in his memory, it's not much of one, so why are you still fighting? Why haven't you drowned of despair yet?"

I glared at the Dark Ace for a moment before I gave him my answer.

And one day, what's lost can be found

"Hope."

You stand in the rain

A look of surprise swept over the Dark Ace's face after my comment, but it disappeared just as quickly as it came. Taking a step forward, he yelled, "Hope? Hope? That's why you're fighting? Hope is feeble, it's for the weak. Aerrow held hope within him for too long of actually defeating me, and you know where that got him? Glaring up at me defiantly as he could muster as I took his life, that's where hope led your leader. Into the clutches of his enemy, and you know what? He led you to the same place."

I glared.

"At least hope and morals were what drove Aerrow to defeat you!" The Dark Ace glared back at me as I spat, "You just wanted to kill him in cold blood."

The Dark Ace chuckled lightly before he said slowly, "Perhaps, but what do you hope in girl? That Aerrow's alive?" The Dark Ace took another step forward. "Well he's not." I took another step back. "Are you hoping for a rescue?" The Dark Ace advanced. "Well it's not coming." I retreated. "Are you hoping to save your friends?" He continued forward, his army advancing behind him. "Well, sorry to be the one to tell you this, but, you're the one who needs saving."

I moved to take another step backward, but quickly realized as dirt crumbled beneath my foot that I hadn't stumbled upon a clearing at all, but the edge of the terra. I had been so focused on the Cyclonians that I hadn't paid attention to my surroundings.

"Actually, I'm not sorry at all," The Dark Ace corrected himself before adding, "especially for this."

And with a flick of his hand in the direction of the Talons behind him, four pairs of narrowed, glowing green eyes were soon trained on me as the Dark Ace ordered, "Finish her."

And just like that, the rain seemed to pour all the harder in my mind as I stood there, alone, waiting to make my last stand.

Against my friends.

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
Stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day, what's lost can be found

So stand in the rain
Stand your ground
Stand up when it's all crashing down
You stand through the pain
You won't drown
And one day, what's lost can be found
You stand in the rain

An interesting end, no? Well, let me know what you think in a review, and eventually (once I write it and if you want it) I can post an alternate ending I have in mind, but I won't say anything else about that except idealy I would use the rest of the remaining lyrics above.

Anyways though! I hope you all liked reading this story, whether you've read my other stories or you've never heard of me. To those who know of my APAH series, there is a snippet on my profile that may or may not interest you.

Well, that's about all I have to say right now, please send me a review or message if you have any comments about my story or my reappearance.

Crimson Fox4