Yes! The Storm Hawks return to my fanfics! I went for a humor in this chapter, and I hope you like it!
Note: the page split represents a change in time in this chapter (it turns to a later time).
Disclaimer: I do not own the Storm Hawks or anything associated with it. If there was a quote from "The Call" below, I wouldn't own it either.
Chapter 4
This was their toughest mission yet. The task was so daunting, so horrible, they weren't sure if they'd all survive. Today, the Storm Hawks had to tackle the fearful job of...
SPRING CLEANING!
"Now troops, if we follow my carefully thought-out plan, we can be finished in half the time." Piper explained as she paced back and forth in front of her squadron mates, holding a duster in her hand like a baton.
The boys stood in a line before her; each wearing an apron and holding various cleaning equipment in their hands. Aerrow stood straight, in mock attention. Finn and Radarr had their shoulders slumped, dull looks on their faces. Junko's face was wrinkled with frightful anticipation, worried sick about what would become of his junk collection in the next few hours. Stork's face was set. The merb stood ready for instruction, and had come overly prepared, in what he called 'full-body armour.' He wore a large brimmed hat, massive goggles that enlarged his eyes, a mask attached to an oxygen tank on his back, a germ-repellent suit, - which looked suspiciously like a puffy snowsuit - surgical gloves and steel-toed army boots.
"Okay! Listen up!" Piper said with authority, pulling down a complex map and chart, pointing to it with her duster, "Here's the plan. First, we have to—"
"Why did you put her in charge?" Finn whined to Aerrow in a whisper, as Piper continued her extensive explanation.
Aerrow just shrugged. Looking down the line, he saw Radarr holding his aching head in confusion, Junko crouching in terror anytime junk was mentioned, and Stork staring intently at the map, trying to absorb every word of this amazing plan that would ride the ship of all harmful diseases.
"Um, Piper?" Aerrow interrupted.
"Yes, Aerrow?" Piper responded, looking towards the Sky Knight.
"The simple version, please?" Aerrow asked.
Piper sighed, "You take all the fun out of it..."
"No, he takes all the headache out of it!" Finn commented, receiving a nod of agreement from Radarr, and a nasty glare from Piper.
"Oh, fine! Have it your way!" Piper gave into her squadron mates' wishes, "Everyone has to clean their own room. After that, Finn cleans the hanger-bay..."
Finn grumbled, but left to get started on his part of the cleaning.
"...Junko cleans all the skimmers, Radarr goes through Junko's junk collection—"
"Why can't I go through my collection?" Junko interrupted, poking his head in the door, having just left to follow Finn.
"Because you'll keep everything!" Piper exclaimed, and the wallop slunk off sadly.
Then Piper turned back to the little blue creature, "As I was saying, Radarr will go through Junko's junk collection and pick out anything good that can be sold for scraps. The rest can go."
Radarr gave a chirp, then ran off to find some protective gear of his own, since an avalanche of junk was guaranteed to occur when he opened Junko's closet.
"Aerrow, you're in charge of cleaning the kitchen. If I let anyone else clean it, we'd be out of food by this afternoon." Piper said.
"Yes sir!" Aerrow answered, giving a mock salute, "I'll do my best to clean while only eating half of our food supplies!"
"I'll be in to check on you then." Piper commented, pointing her duster at Aerrow in warning.
"I know you will." Aerrow gave Piper a playful wink and flashed her a cocky grin before scooting out the door.
"Aerrow!" Piper yelled after him, half angry, but half laughing too, "And its ma'am to you!"
Turning around, Piper found Stork looking at her with raised eyebrows.
"Oh, don't start." Piper said, her voice reeking of annoyance.
"I still think you and Aerrow should be tested." Stork mumbled to himself darkly, "You both have been acting different since we left that palace. Probably picked up some mind melting disease—"
"What did you say Stork?" Piper asked, eyes narrowed.
"Nothing..." Stork muttered, "I guess I'm in charge of the bridge?"
"Yes, and I have to clean the bathrooms." Piper shivered at the thought.
"Good luck..." Stork said as Piper left the room. When he was sure she'd gone, his tone turned dark, "You're going to need it."
"Ew!" Piper complained, screwing up her face as she threw out a large bag of garbage, "I'm so making Finn do the bathrooms next year!"
"That bad, huh?" Aerrow asked, his head stuck out the kitchen door just down the hall.
"Well, mybathroom was already spotless, but you guys are just disgusting." Piper commented, folding her arms angrily.
"I used to try to keep it presentable," Aerrow defended, "But I gave up pretty quick."
Piper shook her head at the grinning Sky Knight as she walked down the hall towards him, "And how are you doing?"
"Almost done!" Aerrow replied triumphantly.
"Well, I won't believe it until I see it." Piper said, "Finn told me the same thing ten minutes into cleaning, and trust me, he wasn't anywhere near finished."
"Come on in, your highness." Aerrow said, sweeping his arm into the kitchen and bowing dramatically.
Piper rolled her eyes at the foolish teen as she entered.. However, her expression soon turned from sceptical to highly impressed. The kitchen was near spotless. The floor had been mopped, the counters and tables whipped, dishes cleaned and put away, and even the food splatter on the walls had been removed.
"Wow Aerrow, you actually did a good job!" Piper said.
"And you doubted me?" Aerrow said, faking hurt.
"Yes, I did." Piper turned to grin at the Sky Knight.
"Since we're both done," Aerrow said, "Why don't we go clean the Condor's balcony?"
"Aerrow, what are you talking about?" Piper asked, but was given no answer.
Instead, Aerrow grabbed Piper's hand and led her out of the kitchen and down the hall. Soon, they came to the door that led to the Condor's balcony. Opening the door, Aerrow stepped outside.
"You coming?" he asked, turning back.
"I guess." Piper answered.
As she stepped out, Piper crossed her arms for warmth as a cool breeze hit her, flying her hair about. She made her way over to where Aerrow stood smiling by the railing.
"So, what is there to clean out here?" Piper asked.
"Nothing." Aerrow answered.
"But you said–" Piper started.
"Shush." Aerrow commanded, "Just take a break for a moment. We've worked hard all day, we deserve it."
"But really–" Piper began again.
"Piper.." Aerrow said, closing his eyes and letting the wind hit his face, "Isn't the wind nice and relaxing?"
"No, it's cold." Piper mumbled, pouting.
Piper jumped as two strong arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind.
"This better?" Aerrow asked, pulling her in closer and laying his head on her shoulder.
Piper turned her head away to hide her growing blush. As she looked back, Piper saw a blue tail sticking out from behind the open door.
"Radarr!" she exclaimed, as she and Aerrow jumped apart.
Said creature gave an surprised chirp. Then, knowing he was caught, he slunk out onto the balcony, holding up a random piece of metal like a peace offering.
Piper's face softened at the sight of the poor creature, "Oh, so you've finished with Junko's junk collection?"
Seeing that he wasn't going to be in trouble, Radarr nodded happily. He then took one of Aerrow's and Piper's hands and led the pair inside. Letting go, Radarr ran over to a huge box and pointed proudly to it. The box was full of various scraps of all shapes and sizes.
"Great job, buddy." Aerrow praised.
"Yeah Radarr, you did excellent." Piper added, "Junko didn't give you any trouble, did he?"
Radarr's only answer was to grin manically before bouncing out of the door and down the hall.
"I wonder what that was about." Aerrow commented.
It was then that they heard loud banging and Junko's yells, "Help! Radarr locked me in my closet and hide my knuckle-busters!"
Piper and Aerrow ran to help the poor wallop, both knowing that he wouldn't be able to get himself out of the steal-enforced closet, and that the wallop was scared of the dark.
I'm not totally happy with the A/P scene in this chapter. It feels too cliche... and I'm really big on doing new and unique things in my writing. I have a bad feeling that the A/P relationship in this fic my be heading the cliche root, and I'll apologize in advance.
I'll make it clear now that, though Sophia has survived, I have no plans to have any of Aerrow's other siblings surviving. I'm not out for a total happy ending, because, as I've said before, I like to make my stories as realistic as possible. This is also why I will probably never create an OC that has special powers or anything...
Sorry to SakariWolfe agian... still having trouble with your choice fic... I'll do my best to have it up by the end of the month!