A/N Hey everyone! That time of year has finally dawned upon us; spring is here! I'm so joyful, for it is my favorite season. I just love how Mother Nature awakens from her winter slumber and brings back warmth and color to the world. Spring also brings another delight; spring break of course!
Okay, this chapter is going to focus mainly on Stork since he hasn't really been in the story so much. Hopefully, I'll get more readers since the Merb is such a popular character. I didn't make him as gloomy and emo as usual, but I did my best to not completely transform him.
Enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Storm Hawks or anything related to the show.
Chapter 10: The Table is Turned
"Despite their miniscule size, mind parasites are extremely deadly. A single parasite can easily enter a being's body and gain full control of the body. In most cases, people have perished from the effects of these creatures since they are never detected in time."
Sitting in his usual spot in the cockpit, Stork read these depressing words from his beloved book "1001 Terrible Afflictions and the Hopeless Means of Fighting Them." Onboard the Condor, Stork had decided to catch up on his reading while the others were on their rescue mission.
After all, he had little to worry about. He had hidden the Condor between a cluster of jagged, massive rocks located on the outskirts of the palace. Luckily for the Merb, a heavy fog was lingering beside the rocks covering the Condor like a blanket.
There was no possible way that anyone or anything could detect the airship from above, and it was safe on both sides with sharp, colossal rocks acting as barriers.
"Mind parasites have been used throughout history as brainwashing devices. However, taming them is as challenging as getting rid of them from one's body. In fact, the only methods of controlling them are…" Stork suddenly stopped reading as his ears perked up; he could hear some type of noise in the cockpit.
Looking around swiftly, his fearful eyes located the source of the noise; it was the radio on the table behind him. Through the crackling, the pilot could faintly hear, "Stork…come in… this…Aerrow…please come in."
Scrambling over his chair, Stork fell down on the hard floor alongside his chair. Groaning in agony, he crawled his way to the table. In a few minutes, he reached his destination and gingerly climbed up to a seat.
After making himself comfortable, he grabbed the headphones and moved the radio in front of him. Switching some dials this way and that, he said, "Stork here. What's your status, Aerrow?"
The sky knight's reply came in clearly and quickly. "We're all fine. However, Piper isn't with us…" Stork gasped loudly and began his dramatic rant. "What do you mean she isn't with you?! Don't tell me you guys were too late! Oh, this is so dreadful; I knew this would happen! We were all so careless…." Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Stork was about to speak again when Aerrow interrupted him.
"Stork! Calm down; Piper is alright. She… she decided to stay back at the palace. We'll fill you in with the details once we reach the Condor. Now, where are you?"
Trembling from shock, the Merb stuttered, "Well, I-I hid the C-C-ondor bet-between a clu-clu-ster of ro-rocks. I'll g-go up and bea-beam a li-light fo-for you gu-guys to see. Sto-Stork out."
Flicking the on/off switch, Stork sprawled over his chair. He closed his eyes trying to calm himself down. He couldn't believe that Piper wasn't coming back. Well, Aerrow didn't say that she was staying at that dreadful place permanently, but what difference did it make? Even if she did eventually come back, she would never be the same. Even worst, she could be under the influence of the Talons and act as a spy, leading the squadron to their doom.
Shaking his head, Stork got up and prepared the airship for flight.
"Hey guys! I see a light dead ahead; it must be the Condor!" Aerrow looked ahead and nodded. "You're right Finn. Come on guys; let's reach the Condor before the weather gets worst." Ten minutes later, the group landed their skimmers inside the Condor's garage and parked their vehicles in the back of the room. They walked towards the cockpit in complete silence lost in their own thoughts.
Stork glanced behind his shoulder as the door swished open, and the guys came in. The Merb immediately noticed the tension among his teammates, but he didn't say anything. The group silently took seats around the table and murmured a greeting to Stork. Stork said his greetings and then focused on the situation. He first needed to get the airship out of the murky fog. He consulted his instruments and directed the airship north to where the fog ended.
It was nightfall by the time Stork landed the Condor on a safe, deserted terra. The others had remained in the cockpit staring at the table. Stork turned off the engine and stretched before joining the others. He glanced at each of them and said, "Well, you guys must be tired. I'll prepare dinner for us all. It should be ready in about twenty minutes."
The guys just dimly nodded, and Stork went to the kitchen. He decided to make some pasta since it was quick to make. He had made some marinara sauce recently, so he didn't have to waste too much time. As he waited for the sauce to warm up and the pasta to be boiled, his mind lingered on the others. During all his time spent with the squadron, he had never seen them so detached. It was if the life was sucked out of them by some parasite.
Stork considered it for a moment and then shook his head. No, this wasn't the time for paranoia. His friends needed him for comfort and support. Besides, the Merb knew that Piper was the cause of all this.
Piper… why did the navigator stay behind? The pilot had been so busy piloting the ship cautiously that he hadn't even asked the others what happened. Well, he supposed there was no harm; they didn't seem to be in a talkative mood anyways. The pilot fully knew that Piper would only stay behind for two obvious reasons: she had an important cause, or she was brainwashed. The second one was probably the most likely reason, but Stork realized that with the Storm Hawks, anything is possible.
His thoughts were interrupted as a ting came from the microwave. Grabbing two oven mitts, Stork took great care of taking out the marinara sauce. Just as he set it down on the counter, the pasta was ready. He swiftly prepared dinner and bought both dishes to the table. He returned to the kitchen to bring Yorka juice and water to the table along with glasses, plates, utensils, and napkins on a rolling cart.
After setting the table, he took a seat between Aerrow and Finn and cleared his throat. "Okay… dig in everyone. Hope you guys like pasta." Nobody responded; instead, they started to serve themselves. Stork sighed as he poured himself water in his glass. "I'll take that as a yes."
After dinner was done, Finn finally spoke up. "Hey Stork," the wingman began as he set his fork down, "I'm sorry that we are acting… well acting like you." Stork rolled his eyes and harshly muttered, "I don't act that depressing." The others smiled. Finn continued, "It's just that we're so crushed about Piper. It's not only that we miss her, but we feel guilty."
Stork raised an eyebrow and only said, "Oh?" Junko nodded. "Yeah, she told us how she wants to do what is best for Atmos." The Wallop launched into an explanation of what happened during their mission. He also explained Piper's own mission in detail.
Stork nodded his head when Junko finished. "Well, I'm not so surprised. She is always eager to accomplish peace for Atmos no matter what the price is. I just hope she remains cautious." Despite being calm on the outside, he was having a nervous breakdown in his mind.
He didn't want to start freaking out. That would only cause the guys to feel worst. With his multiple phobias, one of the pilot's greatest fears was causing agony for his friends. When he usually freaked out, the others just laughed it off and calmed him down. They never took him so seriously until now. He knew the table was turned this time. He needed to be there for his friends; after all, they had done so much for him already.
Aerrow looked the pilot straight in the face with blazing eyes. "Piper has a strong head; she knows what she got herself into. Don't underestimate her, Stork! We should all be supporting her, not criticizing her actions. Thanks for making dinner for us. I'm going to bed."
Getting up, Aerrow muttered good night to everyone and stomped to his room. As the door closed, silence occupied the room. Finally, Stork got up and began to clean up. The others got up to help him. While Stork was washing the dishes, Finn finished putting away the food and went to stand beside the pilot. He lowered his voice so that the others wouldn't hear him and whispered, "Stork, Aerrow didn't mean to act so cranky. He's just upset that Piper left us for the Cyclonians. He's guilty that we caused her to leave us. In fact, that's how the others and I are feeling as well, but he is really close to her. He just needs some time to get over the shock, and he'll be alright before you know it. For the meantime, please be easy on him; he truly cares for her."
Stork put away the last dish in the cupboard above him and rinsed his hands. "Oh, I may not be an expert on human emotions, but I always knew he had a thing for her. Finn, I'm not upset at all, just worried." Finn snorted. "I don't see that every day."
The Merb glared at the blonde wingman as he dried his hands. "Very funny. I just hope that Aerrow gets over it. As soon as Piper's mission is done, she'll come back. Maybe she'll be different, but at least the team will be together again."
Finn smiled as he and Stork walked to their rooms. "Yeah, you're right. We'll be fine without her. At least she is happy, and that really assures me. Good night Stork."
The wingman waved and entered his room. Stork stood outside his room on the opposite side of the corridor. He spotted Junko and Radarr heading towards their rooms and said good night to them. As the two entered their rooms, Stork glanced at the door to the sky knight's bedroom. Hopefully a good night's rest would calm down Aerrow, and he'll be his old self again. If not, then they would all be doomed. Before entering his bedroom, Stork mumbled to himself, "Oh, Piper; if only you knew what was going on."
A/N Awww, everyone is so bummed out! Tune in next time to find out what happens next. Oh, I better get going; I hear a mob of Stork fan girls coming! Oo