Chapter 2: Intrusion

It was late. Aerrow should have turned in earlier, but he was lying in bed, thinking about some random things. He was happy that his squad had won the battle earlier today, but it wasn't like the Dark Ace to keep smiling when beat. It made Aerrow uneasy, and that definitely was a different crystal that the Dark Ace was using… Aerrow turned over. He was beginning to over-think things as much as Piper. He smiled.

Suddenly, Aerrow tensed. He heard footsteps echoing down the hallway. Aerrow dismissed it. It was probably Finn sneaking out for a late night snack. Aerrow knew he would soon hear the faint noise of the fridge contents rattling around. …But there was nothing. Curiosity climbing, Aerrow sat up, listening. There were no other noises, but he knew for a fact he heard footsteps earlier. Could it have just been his imagination? Probably, but the uneasy feeling was still residing inside Aerrow's chest, so he approached the door and looked out into the hallway. There was no sign of anyone. All of the lights had been turned off and the rest of the squad had already turned in. Aerrow sighed. He knew he was acting childish and paranoid. A sky knight, still afraid of the dark. Aerrow shook his head and was about to turn around when he noticed it.

There was a shadow lying across the hallway that shifted ever so slightly. At first Aerrow thought it was a piece of furniture, but he could see the dark outline was moving. There was someone standing just around the corner. Aerrow mutely pulled out his blades. Without hesitation, he ran to the end of the hallway and turned to face whoever was lurking there.

"Freeze!" Aerrow yelled. The person turned around to face Aerrow. It was hard to identify the intruder in the dark, but Aerrow could see the faint traces of moonlight glisten off the black hair and blood eyes.

Aerrow was hit square in the chest by a red bolt of crystal energy. The Dark Ace sprinted away while Aerrow pulled himself up from the floor and grabbed the microphone that hung on the wall. "Everyone!" Aerrow spoke urgently into the speaker. "The Dark Ace is on board. He's headed for the hangar!" Immediately, the Storm Hawks came rushing out of their rooms in pursuit of the enemy.

Aerrow was already closing in on the hangar. As he turned the corner, he just noticed the doors closing behind a fleeing figure. Aerrow dashed in after him. As he came charging through the doors, he noticed Finn had already beat him to it.

"Finn! Don't let him get away!" Aerrow pointed frantically to the Dark Ace, but Finn looked around blankly.

"Where?"

Aerrow, frustrated at his partner's slow timing, charged at the Dark Ace but it was too late. The Cyclonian laughed and jumped onto his ride. In a blur it took off into the skies. Aerrow ran outside onto the landing strip, but search as he might, he couldn't make out a single skimmer through the night. The Dark Ace slipped away.

"Damn it!" Aerrow yelled, banging his fist on the wall of the hangar. He turned towards Finn. "Why didn't you stop him?"

"What?" asked Finn, offended that his sky knight was blaming him. "I didn't even see the Dark Ace! It was pitch black."

"I pointed right at him!" Aerrow yelled, but then stopped. He sighed. "Sorry, Finn. I guess I'm just disappointed." By this time, the rest of the team had joined Finn and Aerrow. "He got away." Aerrow informed the squad.

"How could he get on the ship? What did he want?" asked Piper.

"I don't know," said Aerrow. "But I'm going to find out."

"Don't worry, Aerrow," Stork said. "He is not going to get on the Condor again. No one sneaks upon this ship."

Aerrow smiled a little, but disappointment still lingered in his eyes. "Well," said Aerrow. "At least no one was hurt. That's the important part."

"Do you think he came back because he lost earlier today?" asked Junko.

"It's hard to say," responded Piper. "We don't know why he came that time, either."

"Well, whatever he's up to, we can't be too careful," said Aerrow. "He might try the same trick again and when he does we need to be ready for him." The Storm Hawks nodded in agreement. "However," added Aerrow. "I'm sure he's gone now. Let's just turn in and worry about this in the morning."

"Good idea," said Junko with a yawn. Radarr chirruped sleepily.

As the Storm Hawks walked back to their rooms, Finn whispered to Junko, "I don't know how he noticed the Dark Ace on board. There was moonlight streaming into that hangar, but I couldn't see anyone."

***

Master Cyclonis approached the Dark Ace, still wearing the green crystal around his neck. "Have you done it?"

"Yes," replied the Dark Ace. "It was an odd experience… but it went well. This shall be very useful."

"Indeed," said Cyclonis, smiling at the success of her own creation. "Have they realized what it does?"

"I don't think so. Aerrow pointed it out to one of the others, but I doubt they've figured the true meaning behind it."

"Well," said Master Cyclonis. "We can't expect too much from them. No worries, I'll have you perform again tomorrow. During the day I think, and in plain view. That way, they'll be sure to understand the real power behind it. That way, we don't have to hold back. It might take a while for them to identify it with the crystal, but once they do, Aerrow will have suffered much worse, and we can easily finish off the rest."

"Yes, Master." The Dark Ace bowed, as Cyclonis left the room.

***

The Storm Hawks were lounging in the bridge, with the exception of Stork who was standing at the controls of the Condor. None of them slept well last night after the encounter with the Dark Ace. During the morning, they discussed it briefly, but until they knew what the Dark Ace was after, it was hard to speculate their enemy's next move. Meanwhile, Stork had double-checked all of the security and defenses on the ship, and assured Aerrow that no one was going to board the Condor without them knowing.

Most of the team members now were feeling anxious. Aerrow hadn't said much on the subject, and it had been quiet all day. Piper glanced up from her book every so often to peer at Aerrow who was sitting across from her. He looked like he was sulking… or was he just deep in thought? Aerrow, meanwhile, wasn't thinking. Random thoughts moved in and out of his head, but none that made any real sense. This isn't like you, he thought. Stop being this way. You're team counts on you. Dark Ace. Twice now. Was he just trying to get to me? We should just move on. Maybe take a vacation. The Dark Ace…Hmm… Aerrow sighed. He wasn't feeling that great. Normally he was very organized but his thoughts were drifting. If the Dark Ace didn't turn up again, he was just going to forget about it. Because the Dark Ace…

Some internal instinct alerted Aerrow. He opened his eyes – he hadn't realized he closed them – and looked towards the window.

A single skimmer was approaching.

"Damn it," Aerrow whispered under his breath. He leaped off the couch and grabbed the Condor's scope. He could see what he knew he would see through the lens.

The Dark Ace.

"He's back." Aerrow announced to the room.

"What? Again?" asked Finn.

Piper approached Aerrow and took the scope from him. "I don't see anything."

Aerrow moved towards the front window. He could clearly make out the Cyclonian's skimmer, and its rider. "There!" Aerrow pointed. The entire team moved towards the window to see.

"Where?"

"There!"

Aerrow was getting annoyed. The skimmer was in high contrast with the white clouds, and he could see the Dark Ace clearly.

Piper faced her sky knight, confusion written on her face. "Aerrow, we don't see anyone."

"How could you not see? He's right there!"

The team continued to scour the sky. "Aerrow," said Junko. "We don't know what you're talking about…"

Aerrow paused. There was something very wrong here. "Are all of you telling me that you can not see him?" Aerrow asked in disbelief. The Dark Ace was so close now, the scope wasn't needed. It was plain to see who was riding the skimmer and deliberately heading for the Condor, but the team, confused and now somewhat worried, shook their heads.

Aerrow said nothing, shock stunning him into silence. He looked out the window. The Dark Ace was still there, smiling maliciously and directly at Aerrow. "I… I don't understand."

"Mind worms," Stork whispered.

"A clocking crystal, then!" Aerrow said. "He must be…"

"Then why are you able to see him?" Finn pointed out bluntly.

Aerrow said nothing and turned back towards the window. Was he going crazy?

"Aerrow?" Piper asked tentatively, a worried tone filling her words. "Aerrow?"

"Aerrow."

The other voice startled Aerrow. He looked up. The Dark Ace was hovering in front of the window, his face right in front of the sky knight's. Too close. Too close for logic or reason. Instantly, Aerrow knew this couldn't be the real Dark Ace. It was impossible. Even though there was a thick sheet of glass separating the two, Aerrow could hear the Dark Ace's voice clearly in his head.

"Don't bother," said the Dark Ace with a smile. "I am only seen by you. Your own personal Dark Ace." He laughed. The sound was demonic and caused Aerrow pain to listen to it. Aerrow closed his eyes, certain that this must be some sort of nightmare. After looking back out the window, the strange vision vanished, but the voice remained to deliver one final message.

"I'll be back."