Hi guys MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! sorry it's been so long (you've heard that before right?)
"So yeah I have decided to write a fan fic for every holiday." You know who said that? Yeah yours truly :/ I can't believe how long that lasted. So to make up for not writing a christmas fic or anything um picture everyone in this chapter in santa hats ;) lol jk
anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter I'm sorry if it's not worth the wait.
I hope you all had a good christmas and new year :)
OoO.
Tomorrow morning Aerrow and Dark Ace would fly out to Terra Clockstopia and retrieve the crystal that powers the time pulse. It was no problem, given that a back up for the time pulse had been made ever since the incident in which the Cyclonians tried to take it over. Hopefully there would be no zombies on the terra. Just go in, get out. Easy.
They figured the most important crystal to get would be the one that runs time.
When the time was right the two would hopefully venture out back to Terra Bogaton for more weapons and ammunition. They needed it, but not right now.
But that wasn't the problem at the current point in time. There was a bigger issue now and it sent both sick. It was probably the biggest problem they'd ever faced.
It was time to sleep. And there was only one bed between them.
Stood side by side, they slowly turned their gaze to each other. When they were caught in each other's sights they snapped their heads away.
Dark Ace quickly said "I'm not sleeping on the floor."
Aerrow retorted just as quick "Well I'm not either."
After some sighs of discomfort and grunts of annoyance the two finally got in bed together, with only their underwear to keep them respectable. The uniforms were too dirty to sleep in.
They kept elbowing and kicking each other as they attempted to get comfy in the bed. It wasn't exactly the largest double. They restrained from speaking or commenting on anything as they lay there, that would have just made the situation worse.
Settled down facing away from each other, Dark Ace and Aerrow forced their eyes shut to hopefully sink into sleep sooner rather than later.
As Aerrow lay there with nothing but each other's breaths to break the silence, thoughts of unbearable subjects managed to finally find time to take over his mind.
What came to mind first were his friends. Memories unfolding. He found himself smiling a little at first as his mind would rekindle a joke that had been seen as funny ages ago.
But unfortunately those memories began to lead to the closer present. The images of each and every death began to repeat over and over in his head, as consecutive as his own heart beat.
His thoughts began to spiral out of control.
He'd lost his cool head, he wasn't thinking through the plans and missions he would take part in with his new partner, neither did the word 'fun' come to mind.
Instead his mind was drowning with doubt. What if this didn't work and he had to live in this horrific new world without Piper? With nothing but pain and sorrow to promise that they'll be right behind him. And then there's Dark Ace, who could double cross him or throw him to zombies at any point. Every word that twisted man spoke Aerrow feared could be a lie.
He promised himself he would bring back Piper and the Storm Hawks, but he had to admit the world was making it pretty hard for him. As far as he could see at the moment there were no odds in his favour.
This feeling of doubt and pain was so foreign to him. Like a bitter taste worse than merb cabbage and he didn't like it. He wished he could wash it away but his mind kept telling him you can't.
It was piling heavily on his mind until finally, what he had tried to keep locked away escaped. His side of the pillow began to soak up from the streams of tears that were now seeping from his troubled green eyes.
Despite hating it so much it wouldn't stop. Infact he was getting worse. Soon he was whimpering, his heavy breath stuttering as he tried to control himself.
The troubled Sky Knight was snapped out of his depressing daze when a rather agitated Dark Ace barked "Argh I can't take this anymore!"
Hours must have passed since he began trying to sleep, but alas he'd had no luck. And all because that childish brat was keeping him up. First he kept hearing light giggles, what the fuck Aerrow found so funny he'd never know. Then there was random twitching that kept slapping him back into consciousness. And then the tip of the bloody ice burg he starts crying! Seriously was this going to happen every night? It was early days but Dark Ace had had enough.
He got out of bed, delibrately digging elbows and feet into Aerrow as he did, and stood before the sobbing young boy who now sat up looking shook up and a little ashamed.
"How long do you plan to cry over that pathetic team of yours?! Because you're keeping me awake!"
Aerrow's sorrow began to replace with anger yet again for his enemy. How dare the weak minded Cyclonian call his friends pathetic! He wanted to yell in Dark Ace's face, infact he wanted to throw some punches too. But his rage held him frozen, forcing him to just give nasty glares that the Cyclonian knew well.
"Oh sorry did I touch a nerve?" Dark Ace asked with a mocking tone and smirk. "Look Aerrow this clearly isn't going to work so why don't you fuck off? I don't know why you asked me to do this in the first place! Go find some other Sky Knights who will happily cry over lost ones with you."
Aerrow stood up feeling the heat of the arguement. "I'm sorry Dark Ace I really had no idea you were such a heartless bastard. Or more like I forgot you were. I forgot that you don't care about anyone but yourself!"
Shockingly to Aerrow, his rival's hatred seemed to dissolve. There was no smugness or sarcasm in his face either. He actually looked taken back by the comment. Then he spoke, but his words were dejected instead of spiteful. "You honestly think that I haven't experienced what it feels like to lose people I care about? And you call me shallow! I've gone through my whole life losing people! It hurts like no other pain. But you move on because crying doesn't help. It never helped me and it doesn't bring them back!" After that rant he looked away from the red head, feeling regretful for sharing his feelings in such a way.
Aerrow looked at him with bewilderment. That was a side of the ruthless Talon he never knew existed. He continued to watch stunned, as Dark Ace walked out of the room in silence, maybe even feeling embarrassed.
The Sky Knight didn't know what to do. Seeing the man without his evil shell was something completely different. He eventually got back into bed and found himself staring at the ceiling with so many thoughts whirrling in his head.
Dark Ace did the same, but had climbed up on the roof and was now admiring the night sky. He wanted to sleep, but he too was now experiencing the stream of memories of loved ones. He grimaced, the weak minded Sky Knight had no idea how lucky he was to have the chance to bring them back. Dammit, it had been ages since he'd thought of these people, damn that little prick who had made him think of them. Damn everyone who thought ill minded of him. Damn the people he got close to, damn them for leaving him forever.
Aerrow was awakened by the sun, which had found it's way through the flimsy curtains and laid on his tired eyes. He stretched his aching limbs and forced himself out of bed to face the world again. Last night's occurances were still fresh in his mind, but he figured it best not to mention them to the Dark Ace. Not while they were a team anyway, maybe he could use it as black mail for when they're battling in the sky again in the future.
He also hadn't forgotten that the Talon had told him to leave. He didn't want to do that, the ruthless killer would be his best bet against the walking corpses. So far Sky Knights haven't been his safest company, though it killed him to admit. So he tried to act like nothing had happened. "So Dark Ace what time shall we set off to Clockstopia?" His voice echoed through the empty hut. "Dark Ace?"
He checked all the rooms and nervously knocked on the bathroom door but nothing, he was no where to be found. Had he left him? Had he set off without him?
Suddenly he caught sight of movement outside, near the edge of the Terra. He rushed to the window. "Oh my god, it's running! Why is it- no wait it's just Dark Ace... Wait, what the hell is he running for?"
Aerrow was in the middle of putting his boots on to chase him when the Dark Ace came through the door, panting a little. He looked down at Aerrow who was inspecting him with muddled eyes.
"Um what were you doing out there?"
"What? I was just having a morning jog. Wakes me up." He marched up the stairs taking his shirt off.
"Now what are you doing?" He inquired. Dark Ace turned to Aerrow with an impatient look.
"Taking a shower." He slammed the bathroom door behind him. "Im now turning the water on and taking the rest of my clothes off."
"What the?! Ew Dark Ace why did you think I wanted to know that?!" Aerrow yelled up sticking his tongue out in distaste.
The man yelled back from the bathroom "Well pardon me, I thought you wanted me to inform you on every little action I take in my daily life." Aerrow rolled his eyes and refused to yell back. Excuse him for being a little quizzical of the man who kills people for a living.
The Sky Knight took this opportunity to sneak around the base, and search for anything he could use in the future if complications happened to arise. The teen wasn't sure what to expect, but there was nothing hidden away, no secret weapons stashed, no top secret plans kept out of sight.
Feeling clean and refreshed, Dark Ace stopped the water that was beginning to lose it's heat. Rubbing his eyes he then peered around the room and realised his mistake way too late. "...Shit..." Not only did he have no change of clothes so he'd have to put his grimey uniform back on, but the bathroom seemed to be lacking in towels. "Shit. Shit. Shit!" He couldn't sneak out incase Aerrow saw, and there wasn't anything he could use to at least stop him from dripping. The Rebel Ducks apparantly couldn't even afford a friggin shower curtain!
He closed his eyes, released a heavy sigh then headed for the door, only opening it slightly. He hesitated with humiliation then finally called down to Aerrow who was eating an apple for breakfast. "Ae...Aerrow?"
"Hm what?" Aerrow asked with apprehension given that the voice came from the bathroom.
"Um...I need...uh...can you do me a favour?" The blood thirsty Talon asking him for a favour and sounding embarrassed made Aerrow laugh. He almost thought about holding his laughter back for Dark Ace's sake, but then he remembered he didn't care.
Still giggling Aerrow asked "What kind of favour?"
The Dark Ace swallowed his pride as he continued "I need a towel." The laugh that came down stairs made Dark Ace want to kill himself, or better yet kill Aerrow.
"Sure hang on." Aerrow finally responded. He ran up the stairs, still giggling childishly as he rumaged around for a towel.
He went up to the still slightly open door. "Here." He offered holding it closer to the door, only a hand reached out and snatched it, with that the door slammed shut.
Aerrow sarcastically sighed, what a nerve! No thank you or anything.
Afterward they sat together in a short awkward silence. Aerrow realised Dark Ace hadn't brought up him leaving again. Is he acting like nothing happened either?
Curiousity got the better of him. "I'm surprised you haven't shoved me out the door yet."
Still feeling uncomfortable about the towel incident, Dark Ace shyly looked at Aerrow "You've got a better idea of what needs to be done, I've got people I want to cure too you know."
"Oh like Cyclonis?"
Dark Ace looked away again "...Yeah sure."
OoO.
With the grand Clockstopia tower in their sights they realised that they weren't alone. Parked outside the heavy doors were five unrecognisable skimmers.
They entered with caution and weapons at the ready.
The two walked in to find a group of four seemingly discussing something.
Since they were busy with their business Dark Ace planned to sneak past, he signalled to Aerrow to do so with him. But he shook his head and told him to wait, he turned to the people and camly said "Um excuse me? What's going on?"
The group turned to the duo with weapons raised.
"Woah woah take it easy! I'm Aerrow of the Storm Hawks!" They settled down, but a man with a beard furrowed his brows at Dark Ace when he recognised the dangerous Cyclonian. He raised his weapon again but pointed it directly at Dark Ace.
"Well he's not a Storm Hawk!" Dark Ace scowled at the man.
There were hostile glares throughout the room, most aimed at Dark Ace.
Aerrow stood infront of the Talon with his hands up "Wait a second guys, it's OK we don't want any trouble. We're all on the same side now."
Aerrow heard the Dark Ace whisper "Fuck this." After that he pushed the boy out of the way and ordered "Look we've got a job to do, so stay out of our way and there really won't be any trouble." He flashed his gun to show that he was serious and still with a Cyclonian mind state.
At that point the fifth guy of the group came through a door leading to stairs going up. Dark Ace's determination took over. "Excuse me." He said then made his way to the door. Unfortunately the man also recognised Dark Ace and refused to let him past.
"There aint no way I'm letting a Cyclonian mess with the time pulse!" How noble of him, Dark Ace thought about this new burden. He could do without all this shit.
Refusing to give this twat the same chance as his friends, Dark Ace shot the guy in the stomach and continued up the stairs nonchalantly.
He gave no thought to the fuss being made behind him, figured he'd let Aerrow handle it. It's not like he killed the guy. Big fuss over nothing.
With the Dark Ace gone, the group were huddled around their injured comrade. Aerrow took the time to apologise for him. But found himself with weapons raised and pointing at him.
"A real shock to see you all friendly with the likes of him!" One preached to him.
"Believe me, I'm only doing it to save the Atmos. We have to collect a whole load of crystals see?"
"Ah right, so you haven't gone Cyclonian?"
"Of course not! I'd rather eat dirt!"
"You and me both brother." There was a cheer of agreement.
"So what happened to the Time keepers?"
After an unnerved look between the group, one of the men turned his gaze to a scrawny man with glasses who kept checking the gears. "After the infection went world wide, barry, the time keeper's nephew, recieved a call about an emergency. When we arrived, they'd disappeared."
"Hey look Aerrow since you're short on a team maybe you could join us? We'll help you find the crystals, and we'll be a hell of a lot better company than that bastard you're with at the moment."
Aerrow contemplated for a moment then said "Well-"
"Yeah off you go Aerrow." He was interupted by the Dark Ace who was now strolling towards them. Gun in one hand crystal in the other. As he got closer Aerrow felt like he could read a sense of sorrow for being ditched in the older man's face. "Who'd want help from me right? What ever I'm better off alone anyway." With that he threw the retrieved crystal into Aerrow's arms and headed for the door.
"Yeah good riddens!" One of the group members yelled.
He felt kind of unwanted and betrayed as he left through the tower's doors, not that he should have. It wasn't like he would miss Aerrow or anything like that. But he wanted to be a part of the time travelling mission, it had made him feel useful, like he was in an accepted state again. But no, he'd been discarded by Aerrow. Can't say he blamed him really. Maybe he was as worthless as Cyclonis had said he was.
"Wait up!" That Sky Knight's annoying voice called out to him. Mystified, he watched Aerrow as he ran to him.
Since Dark Ace didn't say anything Aerrow continued with "So are we heading back to Gale or shall we hit another Terra?"
Astonished if anything Dark Ace asked "Wait what? Aren't you with them now?"
"I was going to. But then I remembered I'd already made a truce with you, and a Sky Knight doesnt go back on his word. So you're stuck with me no matter what!" He appeared annoyingly happy about that (on purpose).
"Stop with the soppy bull shit and let's go." Was the closest thing to 'thanks' that Aerrow would get.
As they began to fly, Aerrow pointed out that the day was growing dimmer so retreating to Gale was probably the best option.
On the way back, for the first time a conversation between them sprang up. "Weren't they pissed when you blew them off to join me?"
"Yeah. They told me that if I did this I was all of Atmos' enemy. But they're wrong, I'm doing this for the Atmos, and like I said I'm faithful to my word."
Today Aerrow had realised that although all of what was yet to come was for a good cause, he would come across hostile people who didnt agree with him one way or another. He could barely kill zombies given that they used to be humans, so he would find it hard to hurt someone in his way like Dark Ace did today, those were the real reasons for catching up to him.
All the way back to Gale Dark Ace hadn't spoken another word, he barely even looked at Aerrow. He wasn't sure how to cope with the foolish Sky Knight's devotion. He didn't know what to make of it, what were his motives? What could Aerrow possibly gain by continuing to fight by his side? They clearly weren't mixing very well.
After dining on a rather simple meal, Dark Ace headed out the door once more. It was nightfall now, but he didn't care. When Aerrow questioned him he simply replied with "Out" and "just something I have to do, nothing to worry about."
And it wasn't really, it was just something he had to- or more like wanted to do.
OoO.
Although the mist was a burden to his eyes, the head lights of his skimmer were a clear enough path to retrace his steps back to the rock, in which he'd left a certain someone...or something...he wasn't sure what they were really labelled as.
As he arrived and laid his eyes upon the zombiefied Ravess he wasn't really sure what to do next. He just hovered above her, his crimson eyes met her blank but observant hungry ones. She began to snarl and struggle to reach up for him, longing for nothing but flesh in between her-or it's teeth. She'd broken free of her restraints but so far she had survived the chance of limping over the ledge.
He just watched her with pitiful and disgusted eyes. He didn't exactly stay for very long, truth be told he was getting bored. He had nothing to give her and there was nothing to do to her. So he returned to an impatient and cautious Aerrow.
Aerrow was aware that he and Dark Ace weren't exactly 'tight', but after what had happened today, the teen figured he deserved a bit more respect from the Talon.
"So what were you doing?" He asked casually but the doubt was clear enough.
"Nothing." Dark Ace shrugged, Aerrow didnt deserve a proper explaination in his eyes. Besides telling Aerrow that he was hiding a zombie away probably wouldn't go down well.
They lay back to back again in bed that night.
They must have been lying there for around an hour. Aerrow found himself back in that depressive state again, grieving over the images of his friends ripped apart or drowning in their own blood. He would have tried to cover up his crying to avoid seeming weak to the Cyclonian, but they'd already been through this, and when his mind tortured him like this it was like nothing else mattered.
Dark Ace too was still awake, just barely, his eyes were beginning to sore from exhaustion. Oddly enough Aerrow wasn't keeping him awake, the young boy's whimpers entered one ear and left the other. His mind was somewhere else, he was pondering and debating on what to do about Ravess. Does he need to feed her? Surely that's crossing the line. Maybe a fence would be a good idea.
He knew that keeping her safe wasn't exactly a priority anymore, but there was a pinch of doubt in his mind that raised the question what if it doesn't work?
Since he was tired his mind trailed a bit and he kept returning to Aerrow's decision today. Sure that group weren't exactly brutal like him, but they seemed like more the young boy's style.
After today it seemed both guys felt they should be watching their backs. Aerrow was curious about Dark Ace's secret night time wander, and the Talon himself was questioning Aerrow's motives.
He was well aware that the teen wanted to know where he'd gone tonight. The last thing he needed was Aerrow following him, he had to do something to give Aerrow a false sense of trust, he should've done it sooner really.
So he said through his tired state "Try to get some sleep." It was enough to make Aerrow feel more tranquil.
OoO.
Dark ace standing naked in the bathroom panicking over no towel...yeah i regret nothing X)
Seriously though sorry that there wasn't as much action in this chapter but to be fair you can't expect a zombie disaster every time I update can you :P
Please review if you liked or what ever XD