"Seeing you powerless is like music to me." The voice of the unknown repeats in an echo throughout Airwolf's CPU.
Setting Airwolf down to the docks of String's property, String and Dom walk to the front door. As they open it, to their surprise, Caitlin was back! Alive and well. Caitlin was about to cry, thinking he would've died. She ran up to him and gave him a hug.
"I thought I lost you..." Caitlin says as her eyes are watery with tears.
"I thought you wouldn't make it."
Dom and Archangel look at eachother with a smile.
"Dom, can I talk with you outside?" String asks the man that raised him.
"Sure, sure." Dom replies.
The two men exit the cabin and sit down on the stairs.
"Dom...that battle...it was too easy. I feel something is coming."
"I feel it too, but I-" Dom was cut off.
"Coming to kill us both...or...maybe me. Dom, it's strange. Something just doesn't feel right."
"I hope it isn't that bad." Dom replies, wiping sweat off of his forehead.
"Let's not waste time. We have to see if there's anything that can help us." String speed walks to the door.
As the two men leave, they aboard Dom's red, white, and blue Bell 206 JetRanger. They take off into the sunrise. String isn't piloting her, Dom is. String gets lost in his thoughts...thinking about what happened a few nights ago with Moffett Jr. Surely he was dead, he saw them both become solid stone and break apart. Maybe...this was all a dream? Hopefully he'll have to get used to getting into easy fights instead of having bad feelings. String looks out to his side window. A beautiful view of the world below him.
Dom was thinking too, but not negatively. He's just having his moments...remembering young String playing with his brother. String still hasn't given up finding Sinjin...never will. The two brothers have a bond. They can feel eachother...if one's dead, one will feel that they are. String knows Sinjin is far, but he just needs to keep searching. Dom snaps out if his thoughts and sees their destination ahead.
"String, we're here." Dom says, breaking String from his thoughts.
"Yeah..."
As they get off, String saw a beautiful chopper...a Huey UH-1 standing there with her dark army green paint. String gets a flashback of Sinjin in 'Nam. He remembers leaving him there since there was no more space in the Huey. He promised to return, but hasn't yet. String turns away from the UH-1 and follows Dom into a hangar. Inside there was old aircrafts that haven't been used anymore. They were just there to rot. Dom looks at them with a frown. Poor things might've been left here to rot. To Dom's left, another UH-1 was standing there but this one was damaged from one side. She doesn't seem that damaged, but she'll do fine.
"So why did we come here?"
"Find some parts maybe? Or maybe someone here that has savaged for useful parts."
"I don't think anyone would be here, Dom...it seems...lost, abandoned."
"Bah! Who leaves perfectly good aircraft here just to rot?"
String replies with a shrug.
Suddenly, the UH-1 from outside appeared behind the two aviators. She seems to be larger than String had remembered back at 'Nam, but it's been a while since he's had seen one now. String and Dom look at eachother, wondering.
"How'd that get here?" Dom asks.
"Maybe someone pushed it over here?"
"We would've heard it..."
"True, but it's weird. She's not like Airwolf. It's impossible..."
The Huey shifts a little to one side in answer, as if she knows what they're talking about.
"That's odd. Never seen an aircraft do that before..." String raises an eyebrow.
The Huey shifted back as if nothing happened. Was she trying to tell them something? Was she alive? Was every aircraft here alive?
"What's she doing?" Dom questions String.
"Donno, but she seems to understand us." String answers.
"Well, a creepy way of responding."
The Huey UH-1 hisses. Someone from behind her walks up to String and Dom.
"Welcome, strangers! What brings you to this...bizarre place?" The man asks, patting the Huey.
"We're here looking for something." String answers before Dom does.
"Hmm...what is that...'something' you're looking for? I've got plenty of scrap parts!" He laughs hitting the Huey. She hisses sadly. String narrows his eyes, looking cross for what he just did.
"None of your business, sir. We'll be on our way in a bit." String says.
"Hmph, so be it...Despair! Come with me!" He yelled at the Huey to follow him as he walks away. The Huey stares at the two aviators, giving them a sad whine like as a puppy cries. She, then, follows the strange man.
"Dom..."
"Yes, String?"
"I think we've got another problem..." String walks up to the JetRanger.
"What sort of problem? The weird guy?" He follows String to the JetRanger and climbs in.
"That UH-1...I don't know...I feel like she wants to get out of there...to be free."
"Yeah, me too. I can't help but feel pity."
They take off. They'll return to speak with the Huey later. The sun rises higher as the day passes, the day grows brighter by the hours. It is 11:30 A.M. String lands the JetRanger at Santini Air. They both get off and enter the hangar. They need to think of what happens next...
"My sweet, sweet Despair...you did a good job not talking to the strangers, but you cannot be with them. They just want to strip you into pieces." The man says, stroking Despair's side.
Despair doesn't move, she just...stares. She knew this crazed man was lying to her very face. She doesn't think the man even knows what she's been through after all of these years. When she was first built, she was as happy as anyone can be when a child enters an amusement park. Despair was used in the Vietnam War back in the 60's. She was flown with a fleet of Hueys just like her.
Despair is haunted by nightmares of the past of 'Nam. It just keeps coming back like if she's living the past. No one is there to help the poor chopper. String knows the pain she's in. The man had found her burnt up and severely damaged. It is clear that she was shot down from the sky. Despair misses her old pilot. He took care of her in flight and on the ground. He was killed when Despair crashed. Despair had a different name back then...her original name was Akela, a female wolf mother from the Jungle Book. Her leader, Alpha, lead the fleet to Vietnam. Akela for sure saw Alpha explode...
Despair can still hear the screaming of pain and fear as if she was there again...as if history had repeated itself... Despair rests in her dark, lonely hangar.
"Sgt. Peterson! I don't know if I'll make it back home...this all feels wrong."
Relax, Major, it'll all be over soon and we'll bring Democracy to Vietnam. Commies will try to stop it! Think about home, soldier! Don't let them take it from you!"
"Sir, yes, Sir!" The soldier salutes.
"Private Jenkins! What the hell are you doing? Get out there and stop fighting with Hodson!"
"Uh, Sir, yes, Sir!" The young solider runs off.
StringFellow Hawke was next to his brother, Sinjin, and below them was chaos. They were on Akela and were waiting to get dropped off. After a few minutes, Akela lands in a open area to drop off her troops on board. String and Sinjin immediately ran for cover as shots were being fired close by. Akela only took a few bullets and left the area.
"Problem! Officer Leroy has been shot! Medic!"
"Patrick, I don't think...I'm gonna make it. I'm bleeding out..."
"Don't say that, Leroy. You'll make it!" Sergeant Major Patrick held him tightly.
"Don't die on me, brother..."
"Master Sgt. Andrews, look out!" Patrick yelled.
The only thing Andrews saw was himself flying 20ft and landed hard on his back. He was bleeding badly. That was when String thought his own best friend had died that moment, thinking he had exploded into pieces of his own insides.
"Sir! We need a chopper! NOW!"
A Huey UH-1 landed nearby. Akela's crew jumps our and comes to Leroy's aid. As Akela leaves, another Huey, Alyssa, lands nearby to drop off troops. The Vietnamese for sure were winning. The U.S. had some difficulties in this war, it wasn't long till we back out. Akela was flying peacefully but it wasn't long...she caught on fire and lost control. She had taken too many bullets and a few hit her fuel tank .As she crashed, she can hear cries of pain of nearby soldiers and her own crew.
Despair awakens from her nightmare. The same thing repeats every night which's why she's so afraid to sleep. Her paranoia haunts her forever...
StringFellow Hawke was sitting near the campfire in his living room. The night was chilly, cold as Moffett's heart. He was cast away in his thoughts, thinking what happened earlier. The Huey...he's seen her before. No matter, String walked outside and made way to Airwolf, who was feeling...loneliness.
"How you doing, Airwolf?" String smiles a little.
"I'm fine, thanks for checking though." Airwolf responds with sorrow in her voice.
"Airwolf...don't lie to me. What's wrong?" String's smile had faded.
"...well...to be honest, I'm not even sure anymore. Everything seems different and...I feel you don't want me anymore." Airwolf had hurt in her voice.
String put a hand on her and rubbed her nose. "I'll never say that. I love you as family, Airwolf...don't ever forget that. If you need me, I'll always make time for you."
"You...promise?" If Airwolf had a face, she'd be making puppy eyes.
"Of course. Anything you need, I'm here."
"Thanks, String...means alot."
"You don't have to thank me."
There was a long silence for a while. The only thing you could hear is the sound of the lake moving, along with the trees whooshing.
"String?" Airwolf broke the silence.
"Yes?"
"What's gonna happen...Ya know...with Caitlin?" Airwolf sounded worried.
String smirked. "Airwolf, she's fine. In fact, she's inside. I could bring her in the morning if you'd like."
"That'd be great!"
"Alright, get some rest. Goodnight, Airwolf."
String went inside and rested for a while. Morning came around and Dom was first to wake up. He goes to the kitchen and starts breakfast, he had seen String on the couch. He wanted to ask him why he was sleeping there, but he'll ask him later. Wouldn't wanna wake him up from his slumber, would we? Or...until Half Pint jumped on String, screaming his name in excitement.
"String!" A young male voice screamed, jumping on his second father.
String wakes up in a jolt, eyes widened. He saw it was Half Pint that had woken him up, he smiled and hugged him.
"Hey Half Pint, what are you doing up so early?" String asked, yawning.
"I didn't know you had a talking helicopter!" He's so cool!" Half Pint says with full of joy.
"A talking...oh, Airwolf? Wanna talk with it?" String got up from the couch and rubbing his eyes.
"Yes! Yes! Please!" Half Pint ran out the door, jumping around happily.
String followed the young boy to the docks. Airwolf stood there. Half Pint stood next to the big black helicopter and looked at String who was smiling.
"String, can you make him talk?"
"Sure. Airwolf!"
"I'm here, String." Airwolf says.
"He talks! I can't believe it!" Half Pint cries.
"Heh, and she's one of a kind," String says. "One of a kind."
"What? It's a girl?!" He looks at Airwolf. "Airwolf, is it true? Are you a girl?"
"Why yes, of course. I thought you had noticed, young one."
"Oh my god! It's a girl helicopter! String, we're keeping her, right? Right?" Half Pint looks at String.
"Heh, well, I already have her here, don't I? Just don't tell anybody at school about her, OK? It could get us into alot of trouble." String puts a hand on Half Pint's shoulder.
"Don't worry, String! I won't tell."
String chuckles. Half Pint tilted his head with curiosity.
"String, why is this one a girl? Are there boy ones?"
"All helicopters are girls, including cars, ships, basically all vehicles...it is kinda rare for males."
"Oh, OK, String. She's alright. Can we fly her?"
"Later."
"Yay!"
Half Pint returns inside the cabin. String turns to look at Airwolf. She shines so beautifully in the morning sun. String needs to come up with a plan to get a better upgrade for Airwolf and discover what base String and Dom had landed in.
"Airwolf, I gotta go, take care of yourself now." String says as he walks away from her.
String was already half way to his cabin. Airwolf watched.
"You too..." Airwolf says in a loud whisper, inaudible to String.
Walking in, String had found that everyone was awake. Well...almost everyone.
"Where's Cait?" String asked eying Dom.
"Upstairs. Asleep." Dom replied. "Cait!"
String hears a yawn as a lady walks up to the balcony of the stairs. She leans on it.
"What is it, Dominic?" Caitlin asks, yawning.
"Breakfast." Dom serves her plate.
"Already?" She whined.
"It's only 11 A.M..."
"That's...early..." Caitlin starts dozing off to sleep.
"Cait!" Dom wakes her up with his yelling.
"Oh, sorry. I'm just...tired." Caitlin walks down the stairs and sits down at the table with everyone else.
"Michael, we landed at a weird base just South of here. It's like...abandoned. Then, there was a crazy man living there." String says.
"An abandoned base...crazy man...this sounds odd."
"Anything you can tell me about it?"
"Not that I recall on that place."
"There was a man there. He had dark brown eyes and a scar on his left eye...does this ring a bell?"
"Perhaps. I need to check on that later."
"They have old aircrafts from back then. They have a restored B-19, Michael. Any idea why they would restore it?"
"That makes me nervous, String. I hope it's not another Moffett."
"Nah, can't be. Michael, I need information about him, please..."
"Fine, fine. We'll go after this."
They all resumed eating.
"String? Where are you going?" Half Pint asked.
"I'm going to find something out. You can stay with Caitlin."
"Oh, OK."
Later on, Archangel landed at the helipad at the Firm. String, along with Dom, get off and follow Michael to his office. Archangel opened up a big computer monitor on the wall. His assistant starts typing onto the keyboard and a face appears on the screen.
Name: Mason Jonathan Andrews
Age: 34
Height: 5'9
Missing in action
"Mason Jonathan Andrews...he was...no. It can't be." String says.
"Maybe he knows about Sinjin?" Dom says.
"Perhaps." Archangel says, rubbing his chin.
"String...you OK?" Dom looked at String.
String didn't say anything for a bit. He just kept staring at the image of the man on the screen. It wasn't possible for Mason to be alive. He was told he was killed by a grenade explosion. Perhaps he was lied to? Or just mistaken his death and was taken as a POW.
"Yeah, I'm fine." String finally replied.
"So...that crazy maniac back at the base is Mason?" Dom asks.
"It's a possibility. Must've been a long while since he's been in an urban city. Loneliness probably made him go insane." Archangel said.
"What's the base called?" String looks at Archangel.
"Marella." Archangel looked at a young woman.
Marella began typing on the keyboard and words began to appear.
"Nellis Air Force Base. Fascinating." Archangel said.
"That's all that we needed from you, Michael. Take care." String walks out of the room, Dom following.
"String. What if...What if Mason has something to do with Sinjin? We could-"
"Mason has been a good friend to me. Watching him become what he is now, pains me. Come on, let's go to the base."
Mason was hiding somewhere in the base. Despair was out of her hangar and was roaming the place. Though, she isn't allowed to fly out of the base area, she goes where she pleases. If she were to escape, Mason will make sure she won't next time. Despair had landed and stopped. She saw the same man with an older man coming towards her. She stayed put. As they got closer, Despair could feel...excitement? Or maybe it was anxiety? All she wanted was to get out of the wretched place.
"Hey girl," Dom cooed. "You alright, dear?"
The Huey did nothing but hiss sadly.
"Awe, it's OK, sweetheart. It's OK."
String smiled and rolled his eyes. Despair could see a shadowy figure creeping closer to the two men from behind. She shook a little.
"Well, well, well! If it isn't my old buddy StringFellow." The shadow man says as he steps into the light.
"Mason...what has happened to you after all of these years?"
"When I was blown up, I was taken as a POW. Damn, wasn't good being there. YOU should've looked for me before you all left! I thought I was all goner for sure."
"Look, I know-"
"Don't convince me that you did! Don't fill me with your lies!"
"Mason! Listen to me. Back there, I thought you were dead! How was I supposed know? We left in such hurry, I didn't have enough time to look!"
"Lies! All lies! My ears are plagued with all of your lies. I'm still cross with you, String."
"Fine, don't believe me. I had enough of this talk."
"Guys! Enough! Who cares what happened! The past is the past and never should be repeated again. It's time to let go, Mason." Dom says.
"Maybe you're right. But I can't help the fact my very best friend left me."
"String thought you were dead! How was he supposed to know?!"
"I don't wanna hear anything else. I'm going back to my room." Mason starts walking away.
"Let's go...this place gives me the creeps." String said.
The two men were just about to walk away, but a whine stopped them from their tracks. They looked behind and Despair was there. She whined again.
"Look String, poor thing wants to go with you."
String felt weird to feel bad for the Huey, but he can't help it. Her whining makes him feel bad. Who knows what she's been through here. Mason could've done anything to her. Her whining of pain and desperation to leave almost makes him want to give her freedom.
"We should give her a voice box so she won't be mute." Dom says.
"Maybe..."
String was staring at the Huey. Just looking at her gives him flashbacks. He shook them off. String turned to walk away, but another whine is heard.
"Awe!" A female voice cuts String from his thoughts.
"Caitlin? How did you-"
"Michael."
"Oh..."
"So. Why's this helicopter whining? It sounds so cute!"
"She wants to leave but I don't know if I should. I don't own her."
"Oh, who's her owner then?"
"...Mason."
"Mason? I don't know who that is, but OK."
Caitlin walks past String and pats the whining Huey.
"Who's a good girl?" Caitlin cooed."
The helicopter could do nothing, of course, but Caitlin understood.
"Why don't you give her a voice like Airwolf?"
The Huey was being moved back into her hangar. Despair whined loudly.
"Hey! Leave her alone!" Caitlin ran toward Mason.
"She's not yours, thief!" Mason spat.
"She deserves to come with us."
Mason grabbed Caitlin. String ran to them and threw a punch at Mason. Mason let go and was holding his head with one hand. He is bleeding from one side of his head.
"How could you! You traitor!" Mason spat out coldly.
"I'm no traitor, you tried to strangle her!"
"Then this marks that we're no longer buddies! Here to take Despair? Take her! Watch what'll happen!"
Dom's eyes widened at the name. Despair is such a terrible name...it's depressing.
"What'll happen then, huh?"
"Despair will be electrified! She has a device inside her that if she escapes, there's a chance she could explode." Mason said coldly, looking at Despair.
Despair cried a loud whine, thinking about it. It wasn't the first time she was shocked.
"Mason, she's only a helicopter. Don't be so cruel."
"Do you think I care? She's mine! At least I won't tear her into pieces of scrap!"
"I would never do such thing!" String's eyes narrowed.
"But maybe you will!" Dom snapped back at Mason.
Mason smirks and eyes Despair. Even though Despair is only a chopper, she could feel something bad will happen. Despair's whining makes Caitlin's heart sink.
"Why would you do this to your aircraft?" Caitlin asked quietly.
"Because she's my daughter. I can do whatever I want with her!"
"You're just torturing her!" String said coldly.
"And why do you care so much about a flying pile of scrap?"
"Because we have flown them all our lives. We feel a connection." Dom says.
"And why do you care?" String asks.
"Ever since we've flown these babies in Vietnam, I started having a bond between man and machine. She accepted me as her own father since I took her and restored her. I named her Despair because she was always in despair."
"So...you escaped...how? Despair was in a bad state last I saw her there."
"I fixed part of her. Wires were fried, which means the radio was out. And her blades lasted the flight."
"Interesting." Says Dom.
"Wanna know something, Mason?" String asks.
Mason tilts his head a little. "What?"
"Eat this." String threw another punch and he gets in Despair, who was already burning her engines and starting up.
Mason fell to the floor and started to bleed even more. This time he punched him in the jaw. Caitlin and Dom climbed into Despair and rose up into the air. Mason smiles.
"You won't escape, Hawke! Believe me, it won't be pretty!" Mason yelled over the loud rotors.
Despair was afraid. She doesn't wanna feel more pain...String lead her almost to the activation area and he cut off wires from the cockpit. Unusual places to be in, he knew it was it. As String lead her to the activation area, she was surprised she didn't get a jolt of pain. She was relieved, too. Despair was going home with String.
String landed in an open area and Archangel was walking toward String with a curious look on his face.
"You brought...another helicopter?"
"This one's special. You'll see." String walked past him.
"What do you mean?"
"Now, now, Archangel, let's go inside." Dom put his dirty hand on Archangel's shoulder, staining his white coat on purpose. Archangel scoffed.
Caitlin stayed with Despair. She didn't want her to be left out. Airwolf noticed the new chopper. She had scanned her and knows her ability. Though, she wanted to meet with the 'new blood', she knew she couldn't. Besides, String's cabin isn't that big in open spaces. Caitlin made sure Despair was fine and left to the cabin.
It was almost morning, Despair awoke from her nightmare. Not only from that, but she heard something move from the bushes. Despair couldn't move, but she knew something big was coming. She was shaking with fear and hoped it would go away, it didn't. A twig snapped and a big shadowy figure was seen in front of Despair along with a growl of a wolf. Despair couldn't do much but whine. The figure got into the moonlight and it was this big black helicopter with pearl-white belly. A Bell 222, she was. Airwolf snarls. She got too close to Despair, and Airwolf attacked. Despair cried out a loud whine.
String, along with the others, ran toward the cries. They could see Airwolf attacking the harmless chopper. String ran towards them and flashed a light from his flashlight. Scaring Airwolf away, Despair cried.
"Did she hurt you badly?" Caitlin asks.
Despair showed her the scratches. Somehow, she did it, but the scratches are not pretty. Archangel stepped in.
"Oh, I forgot. She can't speak, can't she?" Archangel asks.
"No, she can only respond like a dog does." String answers.
"We need to put her a voice module...later, we will."
"I kinda wanna know how she would sound." Dom says.
"We'll find out soon."
String flashes his light on Despair. She shows him more deep scratches on her sides. Airwolf seems more aggressive at night...or maybe thought she was an intruder. Airwolf is protective, but is becoming more animalistic at night. Not like she was a werewolf by night, but maybe her AI. I mean, she isn't called Airwolf for nothing, right? She's a wolf in the air.
"You'll be OK, sweetheart. Don't worry." Dom patted Despair's nose."Oh! When can we hear her voice?"
"Soon, Dom, soon." Archangel replies.
"Come on...let's get back to bed. It's too early." String says walking off.
They all followed String back to the cabin. Tet knew the forest more than anyone. The dog does take care of himself whenever String is off somewhere else. As morning shines, the smell of bacon covers the whole cabin. Tet was waiting for the first bite. Dom looked at the old dog and groaned.
"Oh...alright but don't tell String." Dom threw a piece of bacon to Tet.
String, along with Caitlin, race down the stairs like young children. It brings a smile to Dom's face that the two get along well.
"Where is Michael? Doesn't he get up early?" String asked, leaning on the bar.
"No? Remember we had to play a tape to wake him?" Dom replied, serving a plate.
"Oh...right."
String went outside just to get some air. Caitlin had followed him secretly and put a hand on his back, rubbing it. String turned his head to see who just touched him. It was his lover.
"StringFellow Hawke? You alright?" The woman asked.
String chuckles. "Yeah. I'm fine."
"String..."
"Yes...Cait?"
"I love you, String. Don't ever forget it. If you need me, I'll always be here."
This made him blush a little. He hid it from her. "Thanks, Cait. I love you, too."
Caitlin smiles. She held him close till he faced her. Caitlin was about to move away since she was bushing. She's never got String to get that close to her. String pressed his lips onto hers. Caitlin's eyes widen at the sight. He's kissing her! Her! Caitlin feels her own heart pumping fast as she kisses him back. String wrapped his arms on her hips and brings her closer.
"I don't want anything to happen to you..." String says, breaking the kiss.
"Don't worry about me, StringFellow Hawke. I can handle myself."
"Take care of Half Pint. I'll be back."
"Take care of yourself now, String. Don't let anyone get the best of you."
String smiled and kissed once more and left. Archangel, who was watching them, ran out the door.
"Hawke, where are you going?" Archangel says.
"I forgot to ask you if we can take Despair to get her voice."
"Oh, right, uh...we can go now. Tell Dom."
"Dom!" String yelled.
Dominic Santini opens the door and sticks his head out.
"What?"
"Come with us. Despair needs to get repaired...and get her voice."
"Oh, right, right! I'm coming!"
Dom went back inside to grab his things. It only took a minute for him to get out. Dom ran to the chopper String and Archangel was in. They had Despair strapped under the chopper of Archangel's and left. It was a long flight to the Firm. Dom doesn't trust the Firm one bit. Even though they're not operating on Airwolf, he doesn't wanna risk Despair. As they landed Despair and unhooked her straps, they landed somewhere else. The repairmen arrived shortly after they arrived. Despair was taken into a large hangar. String watched her get dragged away.
"Make sure you get her a voice box. I don't think she wants to stay a mute." Archangel says as he walks in the hangar, the door shutting behind him.
"Well, String...guess we're gonna take a little vacation while they work on her." Dom said.
"Yup." String smirks and walks off with Dom.
After a while, Archangel called Santini Air where String and Dom hung out. He said that the Huey might be ready. It got Dom excited to see Despair in a good state and to hear her voice. They got there after a few minutes. Despair was still inside the hangar, waiting.
"Hawke, meet Despair. We're not sure if she could talk now...give it a try. We tried talking to her, she didn't answer us." Archangel said.
Dom walked over to the Huey. Her army green paint is as good as new, no scratches either. Airwolf had torn some wiring in there, but it all seems good now. Dom smiles at the Huey.
"Hey sweetheart, you doing well?"
There was a pause.
"Despair?" Dom asked the mute Huey.
"D-Dominic? StringFellow Hawke? Are these your guys' names when you saved me?" A smooth, beautiful female voice says.
Dom's smile grew. "Yes, it is, sweetheart!"
"I hope I never go back with Mason again..." Despair said.
"You won't, Despair...you won't." String says.
"Please, give me another name. Despair sounds...bad."
"What name do you prefer?" String asks.
"Well, listen up because it's story time. My name was Akela, which was named after a wolf, back at Vietnam. Alpha was our leader. She flew in the front as we all followed behind. I wouldn't mess with her if I were you, she's not called Alpha for no reason. She is very aggressive and a good leader. She fought well. There were at least 12,000 of us...only 5,086 of us were lost in battle. I was flying my crew there and dropped them off. As I left, I was shot out of the sky, falling down. Well, you know the rest." Despair explained.
"Akela...do you still want that name?"
"No...that name brings back memories. I'm no longer Akela."
"How about...Valkyrie? It seems...fitting." String suggested.
"Valkyrie, that name seems good." Valkyrie says happily.
"Alright, Valkyrie, how do you feel about all of this?" Archangel asks the Huey.
"It seems strange but it's all good." Valkyrie replies.
"Alrighty." Archangel pats her.
"Well, it is a warrior type of name. You did your part in 'Nam." Dom says.
"You're right. It's better than the name Despair." The Huey says.
"Now that you're all better, would you like to go back home?" Dom asks.
"I sure would...but...one problem. It's your other helicopter."
String laughs a little then says, "Airwolf? She just thought you were an intruder. She's very protective."
"I hope she doesn't attack me again. Airwolf really did scare me."
"I'll talk to her."
"Thanks, String."
"Heh, you're welcome. Come on now, let's go home." String climbed into the pilot's seat.
The others got into Valkyrie and left.
At the cabin, Airwolf waited for their return. It's almost 9:00 P.M., they still haven't gotten back. Where have they gone? Did the Huey do something to Airwolf's crew? Thoughts ran around Airwolf's CPU, it made her upset. She was about to start herself up until a sound of spinning rotors can be heard. The Huey landed in the same spot Airwolf last attacked her. This made Valkyrie nervous. Perhaps she can talk to Airwolf.
Everyone made their way to the cabin...except for String. He eyed Valkyrie for a moment then looked at Airwolf. He walked up to her and rubbed his hand on her side, making sure she calms.
"Airwolf...why did you attack Valkyrie?"
"I'm sorry, String...I couldn't control myself. I would never do such thing. I-It's like I was possessed." Airwolf had hurt in her voice.
"Tell me what's wrong. I'll understand." String placed a hand on her nose.
"I can't explain it...I know I didn't attack her, I swear. I just couldn't hold back."
"What do you think made you do it?"
"I'm not sure. I'm scanning my systems right now and nothing shows."
"Could it be Darkwolf?"
Airwolf shook a little by the thought. "I hope not. How did I gain the Darkwolf form?"
"Wish I knew. I remember the two moons...maybe it has to do with it?"
"Probably."
"Alright, I gotta go. It's getting cold." String turns around facing his cabin, takes a few steps and turns back to Airwolf. "Take care of yourself." String leaves.
Valkyrie stays put in her landing spot. She's afraid of Airwolf. Valkyrie tries to talk to her, but she just can't. She'll wait for Airwolf to talk to her first. After a few minutes, Airwolf approaches the Huey...like last time, hiding among the trees, creeping closer.
"Hello?" Valkyrie says.
The bushes get pushed aside as a large nose of a chopper is seen with...large glowing white 'eyes'. Airwolf growls at Valkyrie, who is shaking with fear.
"Please, don't hurt me!"
Airwolf wasn't Airwolf. She was a darker black with a shadowy aura.
"P-Please!" Valkyrie cried.
Darkwolf laughs at the helpless being.
"Helpless joor! Helpless Mortal. Losei nid ronit fah zu'u! You're no match for me!"
Darkwolf reverted back to Airwolf.
"Valkyrie! Forgive me. I'm not in control..."
"You tried to kill me twice..."
"It is not my doing. Please understand..."
"...OK...I forgive."
"I'm glad you understand."
Airwolf gave a 'hug' to Valkyrie and left back to her spot.
Morning rose and Valkyrie was looking in the side window, where the kitchen is, and Dom turned around and was surprised, his eyes widened. She got to close to the window and dropped the plate on the window to be cooled.
"Hey!" Dom yelled.
"Sorry, Dom...I wanted to see how it looks inside..." Valkyrie says as the food from the plate was dripping from her nose.
"It's OK, sweetheart. At least you didn't do it on purpose just to give me a heart attack."
Dom went to clean her up and went inside.
"Dominic, do you think I can go inside?"
"Oh...I don't think you'd fit in here. You'd need a hangar, not a house...or cabin."
"Oh...it's scary out here."
"But you're a gunship. You can't be afraid...right?"
The Huey was silent a moment.
"Well...they took away my weapons...and everyone has a fear."
"Oh, I understand."
"Dom, I need to talk to you..."
"I'm all ears."
"Last night, Airwolf...just wasn't herself. She was pitch black and some shadow thing around her...she was speaking some weird language."
"Darkwolf? Sure sounds like it...be careful with her, she's dangerous. She turned someone into stone and destroyed them."
"She sounds scary..." Valkyrie shook a little.
"Is Airwolf OK right now?"
"Yeah, for now. It just happens at night."
"We need to have her checked."
Valkyrie went to go for a spin. Airwolf had followed her and flew side by side.
"Airwolf." Valkyrie says.
"Yes?"
"Is it true...about Darkwolf?"
"H-How do you...nevermind. Yes, it's true..."
"Were you 'born' with it?"
Airwolf came to a stop and hovered. Valkyrie did so as well; They faced eachother.
"It was when I was facing my creator's son..."
"What did he do to you?"
"He was one of the cruelest people you can meet. I had to stop him."
"You did what was right."
"Yes, but when I was going to battle, there was a strange phenomenon with the lunar eclipse. There was two moons and I'm not sure why it had effected me, but it did. I felt energy rush through my cables and I started changing rapidly. I could tell something went wrong by the looks of everyone's faces. I became Darkwolf. Maybe it was a prophecy for me to become this...monster."
"We all gotta overcome. I still haven't gotten over what happened at 'Nam. It haunts me in my dreams."
"I hope this monster goes away. I don't wanna hurt anyone."
"We need to ask the humans if it was a prophecy or not."
"Agreed."
The two choppers went back to the cabin. The flight wasn't far and they just have to follow the lake. String was fishing in his little boat. He heard the sounds of rotors coming near...he knew who it was. A few minutes later, Airwolf and Valkyrie appear flying together. He's happy they're getting along well. Airwolf lands in her usual landing spot and so does Valkyrie. String was about to go onto his boat till he was stopped by a female voice, two to be exact.
"String! String!" The two choppers cried.
"What is it, you two?" String questions.
"Well, we were wondering...do you know why Airwolf has Darkwolf?" Valkyrie asks.
"I'm not sure, it was all of a sudden."
"Oh, thanks, String." Valkyrie says.
They left and return to what they were doing. After a while of String's fishing, he got off his boat with a basket full of fish. He set it down and stopped to talk with the helicopters.
"Airwolf, tell Valkyrie to come here, please?"
"Right away." Airwolf sent a message to Valkyrie. She came shortly.
"Girls, I need you guys to get ready."
"Why, String?" Valkyrie asks.
"We're having a party."
"A party?!" Airwolf yelled.
"Shhh! I don't think anyone heard, but don't say anything, OK?"
"Oh, right, sorry." Airwolf said.
"What should we do?" Valkyrie asks.
"Help me with decorations when everyone leaves...and...I'll bring a box of things you want to have on."
"Yay!" Both Valkyrie and Airwolf 'hugged' String.
"Now, now. Remember don't tell anyone." String says as he leaves, grabbing his basket in the process.
Airwolf 'looked' at Valkyrie.
"Valkyrie, we're gonna have fun tonight! No Darkwolf tonight!" Airwolf says with excitement.
"Ek! I can't wait! Oh! What are we gonna put on? Colorful lights wrapped around our chassis?"
"Maybe! That sounds cool!"
String waited for everyone to get back from their shopping. String had set up some decorations and some hanging paper lanterns outside. He went to finish up his fishing to waste time. It only took them an hour to get back. When they arrived, they were shocked how pretty the cabin looked.
"String, what's all this?" Dom asks.
"A gift." String replied.
"A gift? What are you getting at?"
"A gift for all of you." String smiled.
"I like the sound of that! Everything here seems decorated! Even Airwolf and Valkyrie are, too!"
"Gotta get them looking like ladies, right?"
"Sure, sure."
As everyone walked inside the cabin, String called them all outside. The helicopters need fun too, ya know. The radio is playing songs as they walk outside. String was caught off guard and was hit directly in the face with white whip cream.
"I'm not gonna let you get away with this!" String grabbed a plate and chased Caitlin.
"Heh, let those two lover birds have fun." Dom said to Archangel.
"I agree."
Well, the two lovers went quiet for a moment. Dom and Archangel got whip cream on their faces now.
Airwolf hopes she isn't next. Valkyrie laughed along with the humans.
"Airwolf, you seem quiet, what's wrong?" Caitlin asks.
"Oh...nothing, I just like seeing you humans have fun. It's...interesting."
"If that's the truth, come have fun with us. Valkyrie seems to be having fun."
"Oh, fine. What do I do to have fun?"
"This." String said as he wet Airwolf with a bucket full of water.
"Very funny. Now it's my turn."
Airwolf flew to the lake and hovered a few feet above the water. Valkyrie can see where this is going and flew above the trees. Airwolf fired at the lake near the docks, got everyone all wet with the large waves from the explosions, and landed. Valkyrie held her laughter.
"Who's laughing now!" Airwolf laughed.
"You...you clever of a chopper, you!"
A laugh from a child is heard. Half Pint runs to Airwolf and hugs her.
"That's my sweetheart!" Dom yelled.
"Alright guys, let's have a little fun."
After a while, night came. Dom and Archangel, Half Pint included, headed on inside. The radio was still playing music. It was playing "Into The Goove" by Madonna. String leaned on the wall in the porch. Cait walk up to him.
"StringFellow Hawke..."
"Yes...Cait?"
She steps closer to him. String wasn't sure what she was up too, but he let her.
"StringFellow Hawke, I...I want you to know that...I've always wanted to tell you..."
"You don't have to tell me anything, Caitlin."
"When we first met, and I mean first met...I remember you. We were in first grade. I've always liked you, but I was too scared. Now, look at us! We're together...happily with Dom, Archangel, Half Pint...Airwolf and Valkyrie. We're a happy family."
String chuckles,"Yeah. Yeah we are. I also wanted to tell you something...I had always liked you. I, too, was afraid. Now, I'm with the beautiful woman I loved since first grade."
"You make me blush, Hawke."
"And you make me happy." String smiled.
String brought Caitlin close. The radio blares "I want to know what love is" by Foreigner. The two embrace and kiss eachother lovingly. They dance a little with the song. When they stopped, they realize it wasn't the radio...it was the two helicopters. Sneaky. Airwolf was playing the songs on her own radio they installed for her, Valkyrie was laughing beside her. String didn't mind them, and so did Cait; She smiled at them. They were having their fun.
String looked at Cait and kisses her again. She wrapped her arms around his neck, he wraps his around her waist. As they passionately kiss, the helicopters giggle at the two. They have never seen humans kiss so much.
"Cait!" A voice is heard from inside.
"Duty calls." Caitlin says as she runs inside.
String watches as she enters his cabin. String followed her inside after a few minutes. The moon rises higher. The midnight is cold...Airwolf feels herself struggle under the moonlight. She has a connection with the moon. She has a soul of a wolf, body of a Bell 222. Valkyrie notices Airwolf's acting differently.
"Airwolf? Are you OK?"
"Y-Yeah."
Valkyrie feels something is wrong. Very wrong.
"Valkyrie, I think it's Darkwolf...she's coming."
"Airwolf, fight it."
"She's...too strong. Tell the others Darkwolf is returning."
"I-I will!"
Valkyrie calls out to the humans. Trying her best to help Airwolf. Airwolf had gone, hid herself from anyone. Valkyrie managed to get the humans out and told them about the news.
"String, Airwolf's gone! Darkwolf is returning!" Valkyrie cried.
"Darkwolf! Where's she gone?" String said.
Valkyrie scanned for her location. "Nowhere to be found...she has to be around-" Valkyrie was cut off by a howl of a wolf. This could be a sign of Darkwolf's presence.
"She's here." String felt fear.
The group came to realize that one of them was missing. It was Archangel. He had a book with him...
"Archangel! Where have you been?" Dom said.
"Well, I found this." Archangel opens the book and there are things written.
"What is this, Michael?" String asked.
"This is what you're looking for. It tells the story of Airwolf's curse. You see, she's been cursed with dark magic of the moons. It only effected her because she has something in her. She has a connection with those twin moons, and the normal one, which created what she is now. Let me read the prophecy of this...phenomenon."
'Upon the night of the twin moon eclipse, there will be a beast that lurks inside someone. The beast will take over the one who bares the soul of the wolf, who has a connection with the two moons. The beast is like a werewolf, it changes the being into their beast form. It can get so powerful, it can control the moon and create another eclipse. Darkness will fall, the beast soul becomes a powerful being during the night of the blood moon. This will make it a stronger version of itself. The way to defeat the beast is unknown. These are dark times...the beast is capable of bringing destruction to the world, perhaps the universe. Though, it has a the fifth element, æther. This being is to bring birth of the new world, cleansing evil, but to it's destruction of the world.'
"What's this supposed to mean? The end of the world?" String says.
"I'm afraid so..."
"Guys! Darkwolf!" Valkyrie cried out.
"Hi joor! Hi fen neh koraav kin kun do sul! Thy oblaan los near, joor!" Darkwolf says.
"What did she say?" Dom asked.
"You mortals! You will never see the light of day! Thy end is near, joor!" She repeated.
"Well, that's..."
"Moon...ved vulom!" Darkwolf shouted.
The moon became an eclipse. The one they feared for. Darkwolf can destroy anything she wants at this moment. She chose to wait for that later. Darkwolf lands in front of the group, Valkyrie saddens at the sight of her. Airwolf was becoming a very close friend, but she became a monster, an unstoppable being.
"Hi nis viik zu'u. You can't defeat me. Zu'u unslaad! I'm eternal!"
"Bring Airwolf back!" Valkyrie screamed.
Darkwolf laughs. "Joor, zu'u fen ni. I will not. Su Grohiik fen dir. Airwolf will die."
Tears of oil run down Valkyrie's 'face' and growls. "Why are you doing this?"
"Lein fen oblaan ahrk Zu'u fen alok ko suleyk! Joor fen qiilaan wah niist yun ekrah!"
"I don't know what you said, but it's horrible."
"Dir voth praan do joor. I'll drun gral voknau hi pah! Die now with the rest."
Darkwolf attacks Valkyrie.
"Dii kiibokin, zeymahzin, alok! Tilro nid tiid wah nev. Alok areid zey, lein faan fah niidro oblaan!" Darkwolf shouted and helicopters arrive. They were...odd. They didn't have their metal skins, they were skeletal. One flew in front of Darkwolf.
"Dii thur, Zu'u los ahst hin uth." The helicopter says. This one was...male? He had a deep voice and an accent of their kind.
"Geh, krii joor." Darkwolf said as she flew off the ground.
Valkyrie chased after her. Darkwolf was pretty fast, but Valkyrie can keep up a little. Good thing they installed boosters on Valkyrie. She presses foward, increasing air speed. Valkyrie just realized she can't face Darkwolf just yet...she needs someone who has experience with Airwolf and Darkwolf. StringFellow Hawke is needed.
Valkyrie was about to turn back, a hand stopped her, gripping the throttle and cyclic. Relief is brought. String and the rest were with her. It's time to destroy Darkwolf and save the world.
A/n: Hey guys and girls, XxCodsworthxX here and sorry for such delay. I've been busy and had a writer's block. I'm losing hope in my stories...but I'll write more just for the fun of it. That's all I had to say, thank you all for reading!
Did you know?: Darkwolf's language is from TES V: Skyrim. It's Dovahzul, dragon language!