A/N: Welcome to a chapter chalk full of familiar faces! Yes, and we have a bit more background, Cyclonian background! That means that you should all be starting to get prepared for when the truth slips. Either way, Junko's travels prove to be quite fruitful!.
And thank you again reviewers, favorites, and followers. I'm seriously so happy to see people are liking this! And so this has become my white flag chapter for scaring anyone on the last one. :)
Have fun reading and let me know what you guys think!
RESTORATION CYCLONIA
Chapter 4
"Junko's Travels"
The air was thinner and thinner. The land arid the further down the terra he went. The wind, which whipped around Terra Wallop found itself calming in a still, blazing array of heat. It wasn't the sun that fueled the scorching atmosphere, but the lava below the terras that singed the edges of the rock. It's strong, molten river flowed across Atmos, slowly building up new rock on the surface, yet, never was it buried by the precious water supplies up above.
It made Junko's escape from his home terra less bearable. He knew the consequences though, understood the pain and devastation of his journey. His great uncle, Dilly, didn't understand, couldn't even begin to fathom Junko's importance in the war with the Cyclonians. The older wallop had made peace with the Chief, begging on behalf of Junko to be removed from the dreadful Cyclonian prison.
At first, Junko had been hesitant to move, not wanting to leave Aerrow to fend for himself. Being alone in such a dark place for who knows how long was already starting to bring a sense of hopelessness in the wallop. He came back to his home completely defeated and only after a few months of residence with Mr. Moss. Aerrow had survived much longer, a feat that Junko didn't know if he could ever perform. He didn't want to even think about the consequences that came with being locked away for a greater extent of time than he had.
Though, the act did seem to quench his need for a second rebellion after the one in Mr. Moss' prison, for the time being; especially with the Cyclonian treaty protecting him on Terra Wallop.
For the most part, however, the Cyclonians had remained true to the wallops, leaving their terra unharmed and untouched. It was a refreshing sensation when Junko had returned, to see that things were lined up as they had always been. That all the forewarning the Storm Hawks had sent them didn't come to pass. The talons had even pulled out their troops, an odd spectacle for sure. And left only a single building standing in the center of the town. The talon symbol decorated the front of the mismatched structure and the wallop inside donned Cyclonian government attire.
That particular wallop, a gargantuan man with muscles adorning ever square inch of his body, had glared in Junko's direction whenever they passed. It was known all throughout town, that Junko had not only betrayed his family, bringing dishonor to their name, but also had encouraged others to do the same. He was considered more Storm Hawk than wallop since that had occurred. He was apart of a new breed, an outsider to his own people. Remembering Aerrow sitting up with him at night while they talked through the bars of their dirty cells, how they would joke, trying to keep conversation light and happy after all they had been put through, Junko found that he didn't feel as ashamed as he should have been. In fact, he felt irritated that the talons hadn't sought out a little more destruction on his homeland. He didn't want anyone hurt in the slightest, but an upset terra filled with strong, powerful wallops could have lent aid to the Sky Knight cause in the war. It might have been the tipping point, had the chief been thoroughly convinced that Master Cyclonis was evil. Unfortunately, she had chosen wisely in her quest to attack particular terras. Atmosia was her ultimate target, not Terra Wallop.
Everything had changed for Junko when he heard that Master Cyclonis was back in Atmosia stirring up commotion again. The news was sparse for the so called "wallop betrayer", but Junko's imagination was large. He just knew trouble was brewing what with this unknown famous wedding and talons landing on the terra in large numbers, heading back home.
Jumping further into the furnace that lied below, Junko felt his lungs starting to shrivel inside his chest as he pushed forwards. The Waste Lands were visible now past the cloud covering. It's dense black volcanic rumble hadn't been touched in years with the rivers of lava off in the distances. Junko could only stare in awe at it all, letting a shiver run up his spine as he thought of how brave the mining wallops were for voyaging into this forbidden zone to further their crystal supply load. He didn't have that kind of strength, could not really work up that kind of courage to attempt remaining in this explosive, death valley. But if this was for the Storm Hawks…for Aerrow still back in that underground cell, Junko would find the bravery.
One of his hands began to slip off the rock.
Junko immediately swung out and fell back against the harsh, solidified, magmatic sculptures.
"Whoa," he cried out as his eyes drifted downwards once more. That would have been too far a fall for even a wallop to walk away from, especially one that was as weak as he was. If only he could have grabbed a skimmer from above, but that would have caused unwanted attention from his already watchful and suspicious onlookers. The last thing he needed was to be locked away for a second time by his people.
Aerrow wouldn't be helping him feel better this go around if that happened. They would all be prisoners once more, even more dispersed from their dismantled state.
It was better that Junko was free. They must be depending on him and Junko would never, if he could help it, disappoint his teammates. They were his only true family, the ones that had never abandoned him or told him that he wasn't strong enough for them. They accepted Junko fully, believed in him fully. They were more than he deserved.
Sliding down a few more rocks, Junko felt the heat blowing upwards, slamming into his backside. A skimmer really would have been nice at this point.
His mind flew towards a solution and fast.
Gathering up his wits about his home terra, Junko knew that he might not be out of luck completely. Down in the wastelands, where his people mined for crystals, skimmers were the only rides that could travel without completely overheating. It was the fastest route down and most definitely apart of the strict guidelines for workers to hold at least one per wallop. The policy might have been upped after the miners had once been stranded, though rules and regulations tended to remain as traditional here as they might have on Terra Rex.
Junko let himself slip down faster than before, ready to dodge across the expanse and make it into the tunnels. He could barely make out the tunnel entrance from the ledge he was on.
He'd be there in no time.
The winding tunnels weren't something that Junko was use to. When a Wallop was selected for a career, it was usually a family one that he or she had been specifically assigned to. As such, Junko was a business Wallop, suitable for a life of trade and trade alone.
The scorching heat followed Junko through the first series of tunnels, but began to dissipate minutely the further in he traveled inward. Unfortunately, the oxygen content was also constricted down here in the scalding, dark maze Junko happened to find first. His eyes were trying to become accustomed to the minimal light as they squinted, catching only shadows in the darkness. At least, the shadows were a good sign. It meant that there was a light source ahead and where there was a light, there was someone waiting. The who didn't matter. It was more about attempting to find the skimmers that did.
Junko felt himself grow excited over the first lit crystal, burning it's energy on the cavernous shelf. Plucking the crystal up, Junko pressed forward, finding more and more lights that had been laid out in this general direction. As he journeyed further, the rumble of synchronized pattering could be made out, from somewhere off in the distance.
Both of Junko's ears lifted, twitching at the sound as he slowed his pace around corners. He hadn't much thought up an excuse for being down here. In fact, he wasn't quite sure he needed one. Wallops weren't territorial about their actual vicinity from one another, though strangers were unwelcome for the most part. They were territorial about their positions from one another. As long as Junko was not alluding to threatening their placement, or engaging in combat in some sense, then he didn't much have to worry about concerning any questioning from them.
"You," called a tentative voice down the hallway. Junko was shaken out of his thoughts. His muscles snapped him into place, forcing his attention. "We've already warned everyone about these tunnels. They're old, no one works in them anymore."
Junko glanced back down the way he came. It did explain why he was coping in the darkness for as long as he had. Apparently, the system down here was expanding leaps and bounds. Junko wasn't all that surprised though. He sort of expected that much after the Cyclonians sent the other Sky Knights down here to work. A knot formed in Junko's stomach at the thought. He didn't know how the other Sky Knights might react to him, being that he was a wallop.
Internally, Junko muttered a "stupid, stupid, stupid..."
Thankfully, this larger wallop was inept at reading inner dialogue and ordered Junko along the tunnels. The miner's voice boomed, filling with questions as they walked on. "You should have been briefed before coming down here. You can't just wander the tunnels and get out of watching the prisoners. And where is your uniform? We work under strict codes and schedules-"
"Oh right, I...uh...I'm new," stuttered Junko trying to own the miner's title he'd given himself.
The other peered back at him. "I figured that. Now hurry up and watch these prisoners. No running off or there will be consequences. Reduction of pay, right of passage privallege, no promotion... I hope that I'm painting you a clear picture."
Junko was ushered towards a series of working prisoners that could only cast a scathing looks in Junko's direction. Those looks were as boiling as the temperature of this place. Their glares last only three or so seconds, long enough to get the point across, but not enough to draw attention to themselves. Junko recognized all of them, some more readily than others. His eyes snapped towards Harrier, the only one that hadn't turned away.
"Keep your eyes on them. If any one of them escape, you'll be the one explaining this to Master Cyclonis personally."
Junko smiled guiltily before a helmet was slammed over his head. The other Wallop's face came into view once more, his helmet now Junko's. "At least look like you belong here. Or the prisoners won't take you seriously."
With a nervous tick to Junko's chuckle, he spun around and attempted not to look anyone in the eye. He was already starting to regret his decision being down here to begin with. All he wanted was a ride to get where he needed faster. He didn't mean to be roped into watching the defeated Sky Knights as they went about tunneling, digging for the crystals alongside the other miners.
"Excuse me," huffed a filth covered Harrier walking briskly past Junko in the same old haughty nature that surrounded the man. He tended to be more overbearing when he considered things inappropriate to his tastes or against his life style. No doubt this situation wasn't helping his mood lessen.
Then as Harrier passed, he muttered something about wallops and cruelty. Junko might have openly agreed, but he could see two guards down at the far side of the tunnels and resisted the urge. In a way, he was sort of disappointed that Harrier hadn't recognized him, though he didn't much expect the other to. The Rex Guardians were more pomp than they were about being real Sky Knights. They were rude to Junko's team when they appeared on Terra Rex, it wasn't that much of a surprise that Harrier forgot members of the Storm Hawks.
Just as soon as Junko was feeling completely jittery about the predicament, someone came up from behind, a miner's hat planted firmly on her head. "Well, if it isn't a Storm Hawk in our presence."
Junko knew that voice and was abundantly glad to hear it.
"Starling!" he shouted, only to be shushed by the once Sky Knight. Starling peered over her shoulder, Junko following her eyes to the guards. They didn't seem to pay any attention to Junko's outburst.
"It's good to see you, Junko," Starling greeted warmly. Her voice softer than Junko remembered. She sounded exhausted.
Her pick slammed back down into the mass of cooled rock once more. "I've been waiting to see a Storm Hawk in here for a long time. I'm glad that one showed up, not as a prisoner either."
"Well, it's sort of just me."
Starling's smile faltered slightly, the glassy, hopeful gleam in her eyes dulled momentarily. Then it renewed as Junko unconsciously began to express his inner thoughts of guilt. He hadn't meant to venture in all alone, hauling in a false sense of hope for everyone.
"Still another one of us on the outside world," Starling started again, this time a bit more forced than before. The warmness of her greeting hadn't departed. She had honestly been glad to see a sign of the Storm Hawks once more. "It's been a while since one of us has actually escaped. The last time had been too close for comfort, but as far as I hear it, Suzy-Lu is no longer underground. Have you seen her yet?"
Giving his best apologetic look, Junko tried to explain himself. "Actually, I've been back on Terra Wallop. I heard that Master Cyclonis was planning something on Atmosia. That's why I'm looking for a way to get there and stop her."
Starling stopped for a second, her eyes flashing in all directions before she stared directly at Junko. "There's an underground tunnel not far from here. Some of us have made it out, others, such as myself are waiting to clear everyone else out first. We can't have a mass exodus and alert everyone or we would have done so already. No first we need the man power. We must rescue the squadrons for the extra help."
Junko smiled broadly. "That'll be easy. I happen to know where they all are!"
That set a grin on Starling's face. "That's perfect. We need their fire power if we are going to reinstate the Sky Knight council. Cyclonia won't stand a chance against us if we're united…the if being, whether we Sky Knights can get along on more than a hair."
Starling gave a quick glance over her shoulder, eyes drifting over Harrier, who seemed oblivious to their conversation. Judging by the frown on her face, Starling wasn't taking too kindly to the man working so close to her.
The two were opposites in many ways, Starling held a restless, wandering spirit that drifted her without ties from region to region. Harrier on the other hand was a firm, rule-abiding man that left no corner un-tucked or hair out of place. However, Junko didn't just see the differences. After all, he spent much of his life making comparisons between himself, his friends and his foes in order to determine how worthy he was. He always wanted acceptance, but more so to be a part of the good guys.
"Once we find Aerrow, I'm sure that he can organize everyone," Junko stated with a lack of doubt. If anyone could reunite the teams, it would be under the Sky Knight of the Storm Hawks.
Starling smirked at that, pulling her pick back and slamming it into the rough rock below. "That's another if. We need to find Aerrow first."
"Easy," retorted Junko. His own face beaming in the knowledge of where Aerrow's location might be. "He's in Mr. Moss' prison with the other squadrons."
Starling spun around eyes wide. She just stared for a moment, mouth trying to work it's way out of it's slack jaw state. Testing her vocals once more, Starling sputtered out, "You know where Aerrow is? And Piper? Stork? Finn-"
Quickly, Junko rose his hands upwards. "I only really know where Aerrow is…But I'm sure that we can find Finn and Stork. They were with the Murk Raiders the last time I checked."
Starling remained in awe, enough so that Junko thought he might have said something wrong. Hating to be the one to bring bad news, Junko attempted to soothe the other the best he knew how. He placed a hand on Starling's shoulder and stated slowly, "It's alright though. I'm sure that we'll find them."
That seemed to snap Starling out of her shock. "No, no…It's…," Starling trailed off as her eyes sharpened. Her entire face filled with the same, old determination that Junko always associated with the violet haired teen. "Junko, do you think you might be able to reach the Murk Raiders?"
"Yeah, I guess. I don't really have a skimmer though…"
"Not a problem," Starling rushed hurriedly. She threw another glance over her shoulder before pointedly looking down at Junko's hand. Junko removed it from her shoulder immediately, knowing that he wasn't suppose to be fraternizing with the war prisoners. He felt his face warming at the thought that he had slipped up in front of someone as experienced as Starling. He didn't want her to think he couldn't handle his new mission.
"Sorry..." he tapered off, only to have a hand wave in a 'never-mind that' fashion.
"Take the underground tunnel. It's off in the tunnel past the guards. It's dangerous because it's riddled with hot spots, but there is a guide that helps everyone through. He'll be hard to miss."
Junko nodded quickly, glad that his mishap hadn't deterred Starling's faith in him.
"We'll have to come up with a plan. You don't want the other Wallops seeing you or otherwise you'll be as unlucky as Blister was. He has been on lock down ever since trying return for Suzy-Lu. We don't have any real way of getting in touch with him and if Harrier had his way, his little rumor about throwing Sky Knights into the abyss would spread panic all over the camp."
"The abyss?"
"Childish rumors, I assure you. The worst any punishment has ever gotten was being chained back up to work and separated. I would know that. But Harrier just likes to scare everyone." She sent another distasteful glance in Harrier's direction. Junko was beginning to get the picture that there was more on-goings happening between the Sky Knights below that were tearing them apart. Already Starling was showing signs of impatience with a member that was suppose to be on her side. Aerrow was going to have his work cut out for him if he was going to reunite all of Atmos against Master Cyclonis and her rule. As Aerrow once reported to his crew after spending an evening with the guardians, it was his destiny to bring peace to all Atmos.
Junko glanced over at the two guards conversing with one another and began to feel a flutter in his stomach. Doubt in himself began to work it's way into his mind as he thought of the task ahead of him. He calmed himself to keep the jitters from showing, telling himself that he was needed and that was that. There was no other options for them.
"Ok," he replied, forcing the bravery back in his voice. Voice steadied and assured; it was what Starling wanted to hear at the moment. She had always been that way, enough so that even someone as smart as Piper had complete admiration for her lack of nonsense in a mission.
Starling seemed to buy it, her eyes literally sparkling as a plan started to take formation. Perhaps she was too consumed to read Junko's doubt or maybe she was ignoring it. Either way, Junko was grateful. Though he couldn't quite help the bubbling of one last question making it's way out, "...but what about the rest of you?"
That had Starling grinning, though not as widely as before. She glanced around, eying each and every one of the sky knights in earnest. It was obvious that she cared deeply for them, even things were not as rosy between the different leaders. "We'll be fine. It'll take more than a few rocks to stop the mighty Sky Knights of the true and free Atmos. We are tough as nails."
Then in a hushed voice, Starling continued on. "Besides, we don't want too much a distraction for when we slip out another one of us. That would be far too much for our overseers to not report to Master Cyclonis and we don't have the foundation to stand on our own quite yet...which is why we'll need Aerrow like you said. The Storm Hawks, all of you, are key to uniting us. If Aerrow can do it once, then he can do it again."
The width of her smirk broadened with the last sentence. Her eyes shone brightly with a sort of inner courage and strength that Junko hoped he could reflect one day.
Nodding slowly, Junko hesitated to say more. He didn't want to seem cowardly by arguing that he would prefer that Starling come with him. However, Starling's answer had been a 'no,' in so many words. That meant that it was all up to him to figure things out. But he had promised, had spoken with Aerrow of a better future when they were back in the cells. He owed his teammates, the Sky Knight Council, and all the good people of Atmos a chance to once again be free.
Starling's eyes danced past him in any case, once more disregarding any nervousness that Junko was extruding. There was a sharpness, a certain focus in her eyes as she peered over at the two wallop guards.
"Junko, start walking towards the guards. I'll create a diversion for you to slip off down that tunnel in. When you get out of sight run as fast as you can towards the left, and do not stop until you come to a clearing. A guide will met you there."
At this point, Starling paused, placing down her pick and combing her hands through her hair. The ribbon holding the locks in a loose ponytail was pulled, releasing a cascade of soft violet waves. She took the ribbon and handed it to Junko. "Our guide is said not to be the smartest. He might not know the difference between you and the other wallops so it's best that you have something to present to him, just in case."
Nodding once more in compliance, Junko waited for further instruction, but got nothing more as Starling grabbed hold of the pick and started up once more. The plan was a simple one. As soon as he met the guide and was led out of the caverns, he would be able to find all the help he needed.
He swung around and sluggishly began to take a few steps forwards, towards the guards now conversing with each other, eyes completely off the prisoners. The fluttering in his stomach felt worse and worse with each movement, wondering if he was the one suitable enough for the job. There had rarely been a time that he had felt this way in the company of his friends turned family. But when he was alone, so very alone, Junko had to mentally propel himself forward on a continual basis. Junko knew that he was being called to step up to the plate and be twice as brave as ever before. This wasn't just his family on the line, it was Starling and Harrier, Aerrow, and Blister... All of Atmos was depending on what he could accomplish by bringing the Storm Hawks together once more. He just needed to have the faith in himself to carry on through it all.
Suddenly, a hand latched itself onto Junko's arm. His heart was in his throat.
He swung around to greet whatever sight awaited him. He could barely focus, with the nervousness rumbling around in his stomach, but the fluster was swept from his eyes once he saw Starling standing there. Her hand retracted from near his elbow when she stood up on her tiptoes, pecking the side of Junko's cheek lightly. Then she pulled away, balling her hand in a fist and lightly, in a very playfully manner wrapped the wallop's arm gently. Her face was brimming with hope, a hope that Junko earnestly prayed was not displaced.
"One for good luck," she muttered, low enough that no one but them could hear it. Starling wasn't the affectionate sort, but Junko was invigorated by a friendly gesture after months of none. It sent him back into yesteryear when life was simple and things came easier.
It reminded Junko of all the secret handshakes he had with Finn or the playful hugs he had gotten from Piper or Raadar. It reminded him of sitting up at night and searching for Stork and his horrifying tales to help chase away nightmares; replacing them with new ones. It reminded him of how he and Aerrow would talk on and on in a hushed voice about what they were going to do about an upcoming mission and what sort of machinery would be require. It reminded him of spending the first so many months in prison next to Aerrow speaking only of the old days, keeping conversation simple and light when the circumstances had been complicated and heavy.
With that sort of motivation, Junko could definitely complete his mission, no matter who may try to stop him.
Starling skipped out of sight once again, leaving Junko to finish his task. He just couldn't let them down.
From somewhere behind him, Starling cried out in surprise as the pick cluttered down on the rocks. Junko forgot himself for a minute and spun around to help her, only to find the two guards rushing past him. The larger of the two shouting at the top of his lungs, "What's going on?"
Starling grabbed her shoulder, falling to the ground. Junko wanted to run back. However, when he noticed that Starling was making a suspicious move towards the tunnels, he realized this was the diversion. It was Junko's queue to leave.
Slipping along the tunnels, Junko watched for as long as he could while the wallops tried to understand what was happening to one of the prisoners. Sure enough, more guards came rushing around the corner, eager to figure out what was happening.
Junko disappeared.
His feet flew on the harsh rubble, pounding heavily on the surface. The atmosphere was beginning to lessen in oxygen the further he went. Vaguely, he recalled Starling's warnings about the lava lakes and the harsh, riddled landscape baking in this direction.
The smell grew more foul as he went, his lungs inhaling what they could. But sure enough, he eventually made it out to the clearing, his eyes scanning the region with the numerable amount of tunnels popped up.
This is where Starling told him to wait.
The lack of oxygen had depleted Junko of energy rapidly. His body had stiffened internally from the lack of movement. He didn't know where to go and neither was he too keen to start darting off into one of the tunnels. He didn't want to be reckless on his mission and mess things up when Starling had sacrificed herself for his cause. But patience was wearing away the more he waited.
Luckily, spending nearly half the day there, Junko finally heard the first signs of life. A lonely set of footsteps echoed down one of the tunnels, causing Junko to wince. Whoever this guide was, certainly didn't understand the necessity of quiet. Then again, perhaps his knowledge of the tunnels covered up for the fact that he had two lead feet.
Spinning around from his resting place, Junko got a close look at a tall and quite bulky silhouette. The beginnings of a smile formed ever so slightly.
"Hey, there," called Junko, waving his hands. "Starling told me that you were going to be stopping by..."
Junko trailed off as a thought occurred to him. He pulled out the ribbon that she had given him and lifted it up. The preoccupation with his "white flag", so to speak, was just enough time that when Junko peered back upwards the figure was suddenly charging at him. A loud battle cry formed in the distance as a man emerged from the fog.
Normally, Junko would have jumped away from the raging man. However, normality didn't fit the situation the wallop found himself in. Normal was, in fact, the least thing from what was happening, especially with the figure being someone Junko knew all too well. There were far too many battle-hungry encounters for Junko to not know who was heading his direction.
Junko froze up, completely shocked as none other than Snipe waved his mace gawkily through the air.
At the last second, Junko managed to snap himself out of his daze enough to catch the strike aimed at him.
"You'll never catch us!" Snipe shouted loudly, tugging on his mace without much success of it budging. Being that Junko and Snipe were equals in strength, the weapon wasn't about to go anywhere. Junko gripped the grooves around the tiny crystals all that much more tightly in order to ensure that was the case.
Snipe laughed manically, before exerting all of his strength forwards and then relinquished his grip on the weapon completely.
Without an opposite force to counteract Junko's own, there was no holding the wallop in place any longer. Junko went tumbling, feet unable to find stability with his upper body weight.
Heavy footfalls slammed against the ground as Snipe reached over, snagged his useless weapon and doubled back the way he came. Junko only watched, moaning a bit from the headache he'd gained, still shocked that a Talon had ventured down here. Then, his mind was working overtime, reminding him that the guide was nowhere in sight. Snipe had come in his place, mace swinging madly. Something was definitely wrong.
Perhaps Starling had been incorrect all along. The look in her eyes, the flashes of genuine trust and faith, all for this supposed guide. If she knew that Snipe had been here; If Snipe was acting as the guide...
Junko allowed the cross-thought to linger.
If Snipe was acting as the guide...If he was the guide...
The Sky Knights weren't going to freedom. Snipe would not allow them the opportunity to be free. They were going above ground and being plucked one by one by the talon leaders.
A bloom of anger filled Junko's gut as he stood there, watching the nothingness that had become of his enemy running tail. A dangerous frown, so very unusual to Junko's calm, sweet nature, settled on his face. He wasn't about to see anything happen to the other Sky Knights the way he watched Aerrow and the teams deteriorate in those cells. He would do what he could to keep more Sky Knights from falling into the hands of the evil that was Cyclonia.
Balling up his fists and slamming them together as if he had his Knuckle Busters on, Junko picked himself up and charged forwards. He knew exactly the direction Snipe had come from and he could still hear the thuds that resounded off the bridges and arches of cooled lava. He just needed to follow Snipe and stop him before more damage could be done.
He could picture the way the Dark Ace had lead the Sky Knights to their prisons, eager to stare down every last one of them. His intimidation might have worked on a few, but his attention had turned, flipped to Aerrow, and disgust had filled his face. Junko could remember the pleads of the squadrons, caged, watching as their leaders were handed off. Aerrow was spared for another sort of underground life, one without hope, the same as Junko.
One that Snipe was probably leading the others to. Mr. Moss would welcome them with open arms.
Snipe was still too far ahead to see clearly, but Junko remained on the heels of his feet, scraping around corners, skidding over thin barriers of cracked rock. Steam boiled out, all around, the further Junko went, filling his lungs with noxious gases and causing him to wheeze a bit as he went. That wasn't going to deter him in the least.
Then, like magic, they were outside in a steam filled region, where every step became crucial to their survival.
Through the fog, Junko managed to catch a shadow moving to his left and wasted no time in hunting it. His face filled with determination as he coughed through the sulfuric and carbonic fumes leaking into his lungs. He couldn't afford hesitation or second guessing himself. It would be disastrous if he did. Snipe would only get away with what he had been doing and the Sky Knights would forever face their doomed fates.
Foot steps matching, doubling, tripling in speed, Junko disregarded his own need for oxygen and focused on this one goal, for his friends and for his new found family. He wouldn't back down. Thankfully, the oxygen in the air was thickening once again, and the fog was dissipating. Then everything cleared as the rivers of lava wove out of sight. Though, it did not clear what Junko was about to stumble upon.
Junko's eyes drifted towards the safe haven that Snipe had just entered.
Halting with a mighty screech, Junko stopped short of a sight he imagined he would never see again in his life time. His mouth fell open, completely agape. There was almost a grin that reached his face as he stood in awe. "It...can't...be..."
But his sentence was cut off at the sight of Ravess briskly stepping outside of the small airship that should not have existed, the ship that Master Cyclonis surely must have rid herself of along with the Storm Hawks. Though, sure enough, Ravess was standing between the metallic arches of the doorway leading to the interior of the Condor.
She didn't look impressed or surprised to see Junko present.
Junko flew backwards, his fist already up as he stared at the two intruders on the Condor. Ravess' eyes narrowed, following Junko's every move, but dared not chase after him herself. Her lips were drawn in a straight line and eyelids drooped slightly as if in irritation more than narrowing in anger.
It made the wallop feel a little less aggressive, seeing as how there wasn't going to be a battle. Unfortunately, it confused Junko more than the existence of the Condor did.
"Well, well, well. We've got ourselves another visitor!" Ravess replied, there was a bit of a smirk on her face as she said this. It caused the someone in the background, presumably Snipe, to shout something Junko couldn't quite make out. Ravess glanced back inside, her jaw reworking itself as if she were ready to yell.
Nothing left her mouth though. Instead she merely groaned and shook her head as if exasperated, then she spun in Junko's direction. Frustration built back upon her face. "Are you coming in or staying out? We don't usually like wallops, but we'll make an exception for a Storm Hawk.
Then with a grin that couldn't really be read as malicious, she stated, "This is your ship after all."
Her welcoming was the last thing that Junko expected. His eyes turned towards the Condor and then back at her figure in the entrance.
"Uh…I don't think that I should be letting you guys stay here."
There was almost an apologetic note laced with determination in Junko's tone. Uncertainty took over where he probably should be upset. However, Ravess did help the Storm Hawks after her banishment. In a way, Junko, Ravess and her brother, Snipe, were very much alike. None of them had a home and whatever little honor they had obtained in their life had been stripped from them.
Ravess waved a hand in his direction, as if his comment wasn't worth her time. Then she disappeared from her spot at the door, strolling back inside the Condor without a care.
Junko stood awkwardly on the dark, molten desert known as the Waste Lands. He gave a last incredulous glance at the entirety of the ship before taking the few necessary steps to propel him forward and give him momentum. He didn't know what to expect after running into Snipe in the caverns, almost having to wrestle the other to the ground before he escaped. He certainly didn't expect to be welcomed inside the Condor so openly.
As gullible as Junko was, he had a hard time grasping the fact that Ravess wasn't shooting energy arrows at him intermitted with playing the strings of her violin. Even Snipe had taken a few shots his direction before turning tail and darting off through the tunnels.
Junko took a few hesitant steps, approaching the Condor with as much suspicion as possible. He didn't want to be caught off guard if Ravess changed her mind or Snipe came stampeding out. He didn't have anything to aid him if they decided to attempt capture.
But inside, they had skimmers and if Junko needed, he would be able to match Snipe's brawn and to some degree, Ravess' brains...
Junko finally pulled himself from the spot, creeping slowly around the Condor, not willing to walk in quite yet.
His mind kept going over what Piper or Aerrow might do in a situation like this. They always seemed to make the right choices.
"Where are the other Sky Knights?" Junko questioned. His voice carried, but no one answered. Junko's ears rotated, trying to catch anything that might hint that someone heard him. But nothing changed.
After a minute of waiting, Junko tried a second time. "What happens to everyone who comes out here?"
Nothing.
Silence.
Junko grew nervous by the second. He wished that he did have his knuckle busters on. They would most definitely protect him and make him stronger. Yet, there were no arrows being shot his direction under the war symphony of Ravess' bow or thundering foot falls with a booming battle cry from Snipe in attack-mode. The Condor laid motionless, undisturbed for seconds longer before the engine shifted on. Any caution that Junko had been trying to take, flew right out the window as he dashed on board in a frenzy.
"Hey, wait!"
He was unwilling to be left behind when the Condor took off. This was once his home and he wouldn't depart from it again if he could.
Sliding down the familiar halls, Junko tiptoed along, not knowing who might pop out at any second. Ravess and Snipe were operating the Condor without permission. There could be raptors or even the Dark Ace lingering in the shadows, awaiting to pop out any second and throw the rest of Junko's psyche out of commission.
There was a crash from somewhere off on the far side of the ship, somewhere where Junko could not be easily reached. He felt gravity pull him down, stomach sinking a bit as the Condor was swept into the air, slowly rising towards the cloud covering. He glanced behind him once more, unsure of following the noise or heading up to the helm.
The helm won out in the end.
It was better to come face to face with whoever was operating the ship if he ever was going to find out what was going on.
Junko drifted into the helm, where Ravess stood at the wheel. The scenery surrounding the ex-talon was so familiar that Junko had to marvel at the lack of change the two siblings had made. He expected the worst, being that this was Ravess and Snipe he was speaking of in the Condor. However, through the marvel, Junko could not find one thing that seemed out of place. It was picturesque to all the times he had wandered to the helm and watched a certain Merb carry on about how horrible his one true love, the Condor, was.
Unfortunately, Ravess didn't exactly make a very convincing Stork to complete the image.
The once and only female talon leader didn't seem the least bit disturbed with Junko's presence. She wasn't attempting anything lethal, nor did she completely ignore him. The master violinist kept herself presentable and even carefully nonchalant as Junko took a few steps nearer.
Finally, when Junko was an arm distance away, he rose his arm up, debating if he should tap Ravess on the shoulder and gain her attention. The internal debate raged on for nearly a minute when Ravess started to speak, explaining the situation without too much prompting. But her story didn't start out where Junko had expected it to.
"I belonged to a terra that surrounded Cyclonia, Terra Bluster. It wasn't as stormy as Terra Cyclonia but it wasn't exactly a vacation spot on everyone's charts. If it wasn't for the Sky Knight council, my mother wouldn't have joined the war. I would have remained a prodigy violinist in the courts…" Ravess dropped off, her eyes searching for something far away. Nothing seemed to get any closer, her fuchsia rises dilating with her disconnection to reality.
Junko remained quiet studying his once opponent openly. He made himself cozy, sitting on a crate off to the side in a manner similar to a child listening to a bedtime story. She had definitely caught his attention and overrode the thoughts of whether or not she and Snipe should remain on the ship. At least, for the moment.
Sure enough, Ravess continued on, the Condor weaving in one cloud and on to the next, high above the Waste Lands now. For that, Junko could at least be thankful for.
"When I was only fifteen, I would play throughout the kingdom, for the finest of Cyclonia, Bluster and any other local terra. My mother was brilliantly gifted such as myself. And I was expected to take her place."
Ravess stopped, regarding Junko with a silent, mysterious stare.
Ravess spun back towards the glass window, tilting her head in thought. "My little brother was always the brutish type, picking on kids that were too weak, throwing his weight around where it didn't belong. He had no refinery for the skills my mother installed in me. Yet, he still rose in ranks after that little brat had taken over Terra Cyclonia. She was nothing like her grandmother. She doesn't understand the pain her grandmother suffered. I wouldn't expect someone that spoiled to fully grasp the situation.
"My mother left us, both of us when Terra Bluster was threatened. She never came back. It was a year before the Dark Ace joined the Talons. It was a year before I took my mother's mantle."
Junko waited patiently, watching as Ravess' hands tightened and then loosened repeatedly on the wheel as if she was reliving everything all over again.
Finally, she broke the silence for the umpteenth time, continuing on, " I've been waiting for one of you to approach me. I didn't know which one of you had the most ambition to free the old Sky Knights, but I certainly knew that I would stumble onto your squadron again. So, tell me Storm Hawk, now that you know a little more about myself and my brother and our lost mother, what do you think now?"
Rolling the answer around, Junko finally decided to just let his thoughts fall wherever they landed. The truth came flooding out of his mouth. "I guess I'm confused."
It seemed to pull Ravess' attention from where she stood. A smirk lit her face. "Oh, good. Then I'm not the only one that has no clue what to make of the turn of events."
Junko nodded absently, unsure of how much he wanted to say now that Ravess had filled in the gaps of her background. He didn't want to discredit a tough childhood with high expectations from one's parents and community. If anyone knew about that, it was Junko. Though he didn't want to console the idea that Ravess was being completely genuine with him either. He knew that Ravess had been at odds with Master Cyclonis even before the war, but that didn't much mean anything to him now that he was trapped on board the Condor with her and her brother. Still, something needed to be said, just to clear the air a bit more. "If you don't mind me asking," began Junko, the question almost a childish curiosity to it. "...why did you side with talons if they conquered your terra?"
That had the ex-talon leader laughing. A bitter ring formed between the threads of humor. "Is that what the Sky Knight council told people? That Terra Bluster was conquered by the Talons?"
Junko's voice was filled with wonder. "It wasn't?"
"No," Ravess stated plainly. Her eyes now scanning the skies as her hand threw the lever backwards. The Condor stopped accelerating and instead began it's lazy drift in the sky, right between two clouds for covering. She leaned heavily on the wheel, her attention seemed completely undivided to the outside. "It wasn't. Not with Sky Knight invaders always around."
With that said, Junko was left in a speechless stupor once again. He didn't want to argue with what the other Storm Hawks had told him. He remembered when he had first joined Aerrow and the others. A bully was what he and the other teens had been. They claimed good guys while throwing the weaker teens off Terra Neverlandis. Certainly, Ravess wasn't claiming the band of bullies had been right all along. The Cyclonians, according to Aerrow, Starling, and everyone else that had traveled from Terra Atmosia into the known Atmos, were evil conquerors bent on the destruction of everything in their paths. Junko had seen the destruction they had created when Terra Cyclonia went spinning off into the sky, slamming into the terras surrounding it. That was pretty evil, because the Cyclonians had always been evil. It was even written in the capital building where the Sky Knight council had issued propaganda to fight against Master Cyclonis' conquest.
Then Ravess grinned wickedly catching Junko's attention. She pointed towards the group of skimmers soaring through the sky for Junko to witness. Junko followed her finger eyes instantly drawn to the lead skimmer where an emblem very near and dear to his heart was painted. He almost felt his heart skip a beat as he took in the young preteens wearing familiar navy blue shades that once matched his team's ensemble. There was a resistance forming after all those whispered rumors where spreading over Atmos like wildfire.
"I'd like to introduce to you, your back-up team, the... Storm Hawks."
Junko blinked a few times as the lilac haired girl traveled along the Condor, her eyes going from Ravess to Junko. Once they had snapped on Junko, the girl found herself beaming, yelling to someone quite fuzzy riding on the skimmer behind her.
A furry face popped up from behind the drivers seat, searching avidly along the Condor, eyes skimming over the interior rapidly.
"Raadar!" Junko cried out excitedly, noticing that Raadar had spotted him and was now hopping on the skimmer's seat in joy. The girl had to grab on to his arm at one point to keep him on board with her.
Ravess only chuckled before sending a wave out to the back-up crew. "I'm sure that the Storm Hawks could use a lift."
Junko was gone in no time, speeding down the halls as fast as he could to throw open the hanger bay door. It had been too long since he'd been back into action like this, and he missed every minute of it.