Author's Note: I do not own Storm Hawks, etc.
Chapter Ten – Lost Friends
Steela headed for the café as fast as she could. It was still possible that Augustus would be late like he said he would be, but she didn't want to take that chance for this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She finally found the café, it was small and out of the way. There were only a few tables and most of them were empty. Augustus was nowhere to be seen, she breathed a sigh of relief for she wasn't late.
She took a seat near the shade enjoying the outside view. A waiter came by and took her order of a cinnabun and chocolate milk. In a few minutes, she had her order and enjoyed it as any person would enjoy a cinnabun and chocolate milk. She eyed the clock and it was fifteen passed noon. That meeting Augustus spoke of must be taking longer than he wanted. Well she wasn't going to pass this up, but she needed to do something to pass the time. Feeling around in her backpack, she remembered she had 'The Final Flight'.
Pulling the book out, she eagerly picked up where she was.
A bolt of red energy zoomed passed in front of Aerrow. The Dark Ace laughed, "I wouldn't worry about them if I were you."
"The Dark Ace!" Aerrow growled. He was always steamed whenever that person arrived. His mere presence made him forget about the two friends he just lost.
"Finn! Junko! Head inside, I will deal with this."
They both nodded knowing that they didn't want to be in the middle of that sky duel. Heading toward the hangar, they drove off much of the Talon swarm.
"For you…Piper." He said and proceeded to fight against the Dark Ace.
"You can never win, Aerrow. You don't have the heart nor the stomach to kill your opponent."
He grimaced feeling the anger built up inside him.
"Think about it. Over the years, you've never been able to kill me. You've defeated me on many occasions, but you've never truly stopped me."
"Shut up!" the sky knight shouted and kicked off his skimmer. Flying through the air with expert skill, he threw a kick toward the Dark Ace. It landed square on the chin and the Dark Ace flew against the back of his skimmer. With a passing strike of his dagger, the back of the Switchblade Elite became embroiled in smoke. Cursing his foe, the Dark Ace spun down toward the cloudline. Aerrow landed on his skimmer with perfect balance as Radarr flew them to the hangar.
When they arrived, Finn and Junko were holding off the Talons and doing a very good job at it, too. Finn's arrows hit their mark and Junko pulverized those who got close enough to his fists. Aerrow turned his skimmer, so the wheels skidded across the floor. Jumping with Radarr in hand, the skimmer hit a large group of incoming Talons and crushed them against the wall.
Landing in between his teammates, he said, "Okay, let's go."
The other two saw the Talons were still coming despite their efforts. Hurrying to the exit door, they quickly sealed it behind them before proceeding onward to the inner chambers. It wasn't long before they would run into trouble again.
"So the Storm Birds have finally come to play." Snipe smiled with a few Talons at his side. The group moved toward him, but Junko stood in front of his friends.
"Junko…"
"Aerrow, you need to stop Cyclonis. Every second that cannon is up and running, the more powerful every blast from it is. Go, I'll be fine."
Aerrow exhaled deeply, "Fine, meet up with us as soon as you're done and Junko…be careful."
After they gave each other a nod, Aerrow and Finn moved to the next chamber. As Snipe tried to follow, Junko stood in front of him. Punching his fists together, the knuckle busters lit up their usual green.
"Well, want to start already?"
The Talons charged and Junko batted them away almost effortlessly as they flew to the other side of the room. However this charge was a distraction as the flail hit Junko across the left side of his face, then the right.
"Not so cocky now, are ya?"
With another flick of his wrist, the flail swung down hitting Junko's head yet again. The Wallop knew he was going to die if he took any more of these hits, he could feel parts of his skull giving in. He needed to win and only one way come to mind, but he was told never to do it. However at this very moment, he didn't care…he just wanted to end it.
He got up and closed the gap between them. The flail flew by his ear as he continued to duck and weave. When he was close enough, he lit up his knuckle busters and punched Snipe in the stomach. After flying across the room, blood shot from his mouth. Now he felt his body giving in. Standing back up, he readied his flail once again.
Junko dodged the next blow and used his knuckle busters again. This time was the finishing blow. With a straight jab to the face, Snipe flew through into the next room. Junko didn't follow, he knew that Snipe was no longer pretty, well he wasn't pretty to start with. He fell to his knees feeling the severity of his wounds now that the rage has passed. Blood fell from his mouth and nose.
"Sorry, guys. It looks like I am not going to make it…" He said and then collapsed on the ground. He closed his eyes, knowing real well that they were never to open again.
Aerrow and Finn had made it deeper into the palace. They could see the way to the throne room. A red arrow flew toward them.
"Look out!" Finn said and pushed Aerrow down to the ground. The red arrow shot deep into his right shoulder. Only after a scream of pain left him did he realize the maniacal laughter that filled the room.
"Ravess…" He said.
The beautiful archer stood before him and drew back another arrow, "Well…well, it is nice to see you again."
Finn growled at her, "Aerrow! Go, I'll take care of this."
"But Finn, your arm…"
"Just go, Aerrow." He pulled out the arrow and tossed it aside, "Like I said, I've got this."
"Finn, you don't have to be brave."
He heaved his crossbow up in his injured hand, "You know me…always wanting to be the hero. Besides I've got a score to settle with this…b…witch."
"Finn."
"Go! Now! You know what Cyclonis will do with that thing if she gets the chance."
"Fine, I'll come back for you." Aerrow said and continued the mission alone.
"What? Aren't you going to go after him?"
Ravess smiled, "No, the one I want is in the room with me. Such a shame I have to kill you though, you were the best I ever had."
"This is for what you did to me on Terra Epsilon!" He pulled his arm up and fired despite the pain.
She dodged and countered with her own arrows. It seemed to go on forever, the endless game of shooting and dodging. Eventually the pain in his shoulder would get the better of him and he would lose. He knew he had to win before that would happen.
But she was too good and continued to dodge. The two were getting low on arrows and she decided to put an end to it. Running toward him, she effortlessly dodged his increasingly clumsy shots. She knew the pain was getting to him from lifting his crossbow. When she was in range, she kicked the crossbow to the ground. Without a second to hesitate, she pressed her heel into his wound causing him to scream endlessly.
"What's the matter? Last time I recall, you enjoyed the pain and you called me mistress."
"That…was…before…" He said struggling, "I thought you…loved me. Instead, you used me…and nearly got my…friends killed."
"And I left you a miserable brokenhearted man. So what? You'll be out of your misery soon enough. In fact, I think I'll do it right…"
She aimed her arrow at his head, he propped his knees making sure his feet were flat on the ground, "Now!"
Ravess released her arrow as he stood up. The arrow flew behind his knelt head and slammed into the wall. Her heel dug into his shoulder that hurt like hell, but he was alive. Using the momentum, he picked up his crossbow and threw her in the air. He aimed at her.
"You don't have the…" He fired. His arrow pierced through her chest, her eyes wide in horror as she fell to the floor. He stood over her, feeling the many types of pain he was going through at this moment, "I did love you…I still do."
"Ah…isn't that sweet?" An all-to-familiar voice said behind him.
He turned around to see the blade slice off his right hand, he gazed down at his tightly clenched fist still holding onto the crossbow.
"Now you can join her." With another sweep of the blade, Finn spun around as the wound was deep into his chest. He fell on the floor next to Ravess, his left arm fell across her shoulders. It looked as if he was protecting her.
The Dark Ace placed his sword on his back, "Just the way it should be…Now for Aerrow."
The red-haired sky knight knew nothing that had befallen his friends nor did he let himself worry about them. He still had his job to do, he stepped foot into the throne room. He unsheathed his daggers and they lit their fierce blue.
Master Cyclonis didn't turn around to face him, she continued toying with the buttons on the Maelstrom, "Ah, you're late. But that's all right, you get to witness the destruction of the entire Atmos…one terra at a time."
"I don't think so. Your reign ends here and now."
She faced him and laughed, "Why are you laughing?"
"Aerrow, the stage has been set and you played your part perfectly."
"What?"
"I've done a lot of thinking over the past two years since that day we first met. And at last, I've came to a conclusion."
"What are you getting at?"
"The problem with world domination is when you are gone, the world will find a new order in which to obey unless of course, there was a successor chosen to lead the next generation. However, the solution to remedy this problem is simple. The solution, Aerrow, is a mate."
He blushed a deep red, when he thought of all the possible statements she was going to say in the final battle, he never thought of that one, "You think it is me?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The first time you were here, the Dark Ace snuck up behind you and hit you with an energy bolt."
Aerrow felt his jaw, "Yeah, I remember."
"A sliver of blood shot from your mouth and landed on the floor. After I had the palace reconstructed, I found the sample and ran it through a DNA analyzer. Comparing it with my DNA proved to be…interesting. With a 96 probability, our child would possess high levels of both intelligence and physical ability coupled with the minimal risk of obtaining any genetic diseases."
"Like I'd ever be your mate. After today, I am putting a stop to you one way or the other."
The Dark Ace snuck up behind him, "I disagree."
Aerrow smiled, "Not this time."
He spun around ready for his attack. The Dark Ace shouted in frustration as they began to fight. Master Cyclonis sat in her chair enjoying the show, but keeping her staff close by. She treated this like a gladiatorial match between two combatants, this was to see if her mate was worthy enough. The sparring lasted several minutes before the Dark Ace grew tired of this.
He pulled something small from his pocket as he blocked Aerrow with one hand, "Here take this…" He threw the item. Aerrow knew what it was when it was inches from his nose. It was a flash crystal, he shut his eyes as quickly as he could. Then the blinding light swept through the throne room. Master Cyclonis and the Dark Ace brought up their forearms to cover their eyes. The light soon faded and Aerrow stood there dazed.
The Dark Ace smiled, "At last…"
He rushed toward him with a murderous expression, he raised his sword into the air. Master Cyclonis shot up from her seat and outstretched her hand, "Wait!"
Reacting on instinct, the Dark Ace froze in his attack and turned to his master. Everyone failed to notice Radarr this entire time. The spunky little creature shook his head as his sight returned, He looked at his friend and knew he was still dazed.
"Master! Why did you stop my attack?"
"I…I…" She stammered.
"Enough! I've had it with this child. Too long has he been the thorn on my side, now it is time to end it."
He turned back to Aerrow, but saw Radarr flying toward him instead. The Dark Ace clamored backward in surprise as Radarr clawed his face. Aerrow's eyes opened, the scene was blurry and yet clear. The Dark Ace's screams of pain echoed through the room as he grew angry. Grabbing Radarr's tail, he hung him upside down.
"You damn little rat!" He said and tossed Radarr in the air.
"Radarr…?" His vision started to come into focus.
"Die!" The Dark Ace threw his sword back.
"Radarr!" Aerrow screamed. The sword cut his lifelong companion into two. As he saw the two pieces of what used to be Radarr flop onto the floor, a sense of panic washed over him. Out of all the adventures and all the danger, he knew that Radarr was the one who would always be there. Now he was gone forever and it was all his fault. The momentary panic turned into rage as he saw nothing but red.
"Interesting read, isn't it?" Augustus said.
"Wha…what?" Steela said being broken out of the book's hold.
"I see you were very into it. You failed to notice the time." He said eyeing toward the clock that read 1:15 PM.
"My meeting went a lot longer than I would have liked. Anyway I am here now and the thing with the receptionist is taken care of. Oh um…miss?" he said as the waitress came by, "I will pay for anything this lady orders."
Steela was modest, "Oh no, you can't do that."
"Don't worry about it. This is a student interview and everything will be paid for by me."
"That's generous of you."
"Think nothing of it. Now Steela, we already discussed your mother, but what about your father?"
"Um…I am sorry, sir. But I don't know anything about him either, then he has red hair and his name is Aerrow."
"The Aerrow from the book? My, that is fascinating."
"That's what everyone says about them, though I never knew them."
"How come?"
She remembered Lily asking about her parents, has it been only two weeks since that day, the day before the Grand Slam Race where everything had changed for her. She explained her history as was necessary for an interview. Her words enticed Augustus for he was finally getting the ending to the book he read so much.
"And that is everything up to this point." She smiled.
"Fascinating…truly fascinating. You have certainly impressed me, just like your mother did years ago. Well, I've recorded everything you said on a messenger crystal and will take your case with the review board. If they approve and your finances are in order, then we will consider you a student at the University. Before I go, here have this."
He handed her a card, she took a better look at it and nearly fainted, "This is a…a Terra Celsus Researcher's Fund Card."
"Consider any expenses you may have…a gift from the Terra Celsus Research Department, mind you don't go crazy for they scrutinize every item that they pay the bill for."
"Don't worry, sir, I won't."
"Is there anything else you need before I go back to work?"
"Um…" She tried to remember the reason she came here, "…um…yes, I was wondering if you can make an appointment for me to see Herald Gershwin, I need to talk to him about crystal research."
"If you want to talk about crystals, I'd be more than happy to…"
"Not to interrupt you, sir, but I need to ask him about ambrosia crystals and he just returned with evidence about those particular crystals."
"I do not mean to question your reasons however personal they are, but I must ask why?"
"Do you know of Tarek Cyclonis?"
"Ah yes, the recent upstart who claims to be the son of Master Cyclonis. What about him?"
"Well, he has the crystal. He won it from the Terra Tecnos Grand Slam and I need to know how I am to stop him with a crystal that is said to make you invincible."
"Why stop him…he will be dealt with in time."
"He believes that my mother is still alive and he is after me to get to her. So if I learn how to defeat an ambrosia crystal, then I can be free to attend your prestigious university."
He stroked his beard, "I can do that. Though I warn you, he doesn't like to be disturbed especially after a long excavation."
"That's okay, I thank you for the opportunity."
"You're welcome, but I'm afraid I must be going. You have a good day now, young lady and I wish you well."
"You too, headmaster."
He smiled at the last word before paying the bill and exiting the café. Steela was gazing at the card with the same smile that she had the day Wallace Porter kissed the back of her hand, "I can't believe any of this is happening. Wow, I've been interviewed and now I have an appointment to learn how to stop the ambrosia crystal. Nothing can possibly go wrong."
Stork fell asleep at the switch. He had been up for days watching the surveillance and news networks, but more important he worried about Steela. He knew that she was fourteen and could take care of herself, she didn't know how cruel and unforgiving the world could sometimes be. However he was raised in a time where Cyclonia existed, so maybe the world is not as dark as it once was.
Stork awoke when the siren's blared, "What…what? Are we under attack?"
The computer said, "User…Aerrow identified. Welcome to the Sanctuary."
He eyed the cameras, but they wasn't one overlooking the Sanctuary door. That was an oversight on their part. He stood up and wondered if it was his friend had at last returned.
The door slid open as the sun cast the perfect silhouette onto the ground.
Stork blocked the sun with his arm, "Aerrow? Is that you?"
He approached the figure carefully, "Aerrow?"
The figure shot his leg forward in a kick. Stork flew against the back of the couch as the figure jumped on top of him driving the blade into his right shoulder. Stork let out a scream of pain as the door closed and normal lighting returned.
"Remember me?" Tarek smiled.
There is Chapter Ten, folks. Next Chapter, Tarek and Stork have their talk. Also the Final Flight is wrapped up as the final battle comes to a close. Cliffies Rule!