Disclaimer: I do not own Storm Hawks or any of its characters. I do, however, own my own character and plots.

Chapter 14

"No... no...! No, damnit!"

Repton searched the crowds hysterically, looking in all directions. Maia's jeers just stopped! They just..! Granted, they made him angry, but to have them disappear all of a sudden meant that she..!

The cuts on his head throbbed along with his raging emotion. His fists clenched even tighter, and he finally acknowledged the glass bottle he held in his one hand. He was surprised he held onto it for so long. He brought it up to eye level and snarled at his warped reflection. One side was smooth, but the other had small indents in the glass that formed what looked like the emblem of Aquanos. Why Maia had it in her possession was something he could care less about.

He had found Maia, and he had let her slip from his grasp again. Everything was going his way in that tent. Everything, until that Farida came into the picture. Absolutely dastardly, that one. That was the type of Raptoress he was accustomed to. She looked just like Nakoto, but was nothing like her. They were both living crystals, but their personalities clashed. If he hadn't been distracted by Farida, Maia would never have pulled off that little fiasco, and he would have claimed both the rewards from Cyclonis and the pleasure of giving Maia what she deserved.

But needless to say, it was Nakoto he wanted.

And Maia knew where she was! Both she and Nakoto were the ones he desired to find, and he left Farida behind for them. He didn't expect Hoerk to actually manage and keep Farida with them... she would be gone by the time he got back. If he didn't find Maia, he would not only lose one bird... but three. Maia, Farida, and Nakoto.

All of his anger and scorn threatened to consume him, and holding onto the small glass bottle, Repton felt as if Maia's essence was in his hand. He wanted to destroy it. He raised his hand, and he planned to chuck it at the grown at full force, to smash it into a million pieces. He would've gone on with it, if his thoughts hadn't been interrupted by the shouts and sounds up ahead.

He could see the people splitting down the middle, and he saw that the reason was a pair of Talons, riding their Switchblades down the way. Snarling, he anticipated something more to further ruin his mood, but he didn't seem to be their focus. They were yelling at one another, with their crystals staves in hand. They were looking from side to side, as if looking, expecting, for something. Repton heard their vehicles approaching rather loudly.

From the side, out of a little passageway, a figure burst out. She dived, rolled, and got back to her feet, hunched. Her tail swept across the ground quickly, creating a rising wall of dust, and she considered her surroundings. Repton couldn't believe his eyes, or his luck.

Nakoto looked back at him, her pupils contracted, but she only briefly took him in. Her teeth were bared, but with desperation rather than vicious intent. As it were, she was cornered from many sides. Two Talons speeding to her from one direction, perhaps a Cyclonian or two taking over the passage she left, and then Repton behind her.

When the two Talons were only moments from reaching her, Nakoto raised her Dragon's Claw, fingers spread wide. The sound of her blood was a hum that compared to that feeling when reaching vast heights; Repton's ears felt like they were filled with water, or air. The violet filled her claws, and in only a second, she brought them down. Three scars lined the space, speeding toward the Cyclonians. With no alternative, they panicked, screaming. The attack struck their rides, and they went out of control. One of them crashed with their vehicle, while the other fell off. The ride of the fallen continued to spin until it stopped near Nakoto, and its arrival brought forth a cloud of dust that enveloped her. Repton couldn't see a trace of her, and instinctively, he reached back and drew his boomerang. He activated it when Nakoto burst out of the dust and swung for him, and each posed their weapons at each other's necks. They waited, staring at each other, muscles tensed.

"Nakoto," Repton said, stunned. Nakoto's eyes betrayed a small show of familiarity, which dulled the steel in them, but she did not relax.

"Are you with them?" she asked. There was distrust in her voice, and he knew she was taking his advice. He commended her for doing that, but it wasn't in his favour. "Are you here to capture me?"

"No, I'm not," he told her.

"But you're working for Cyclonis! You want to turn me in, I know that. There's no use in lying to me."

With all of his might, Repton forced himself to loosen his weapon arm. He looked past her and saw more Cyclonians rounding the corner. He was short on time. He looked back at her with a pressing expression.

"I just want to talk to you."

"Just talk, huh? What could possibly be so important?" She shook her head. "And how would I know that's all you wanted? How do I know I can trust you?"

He shook his head, and with the Cyclonians nearing, he blurted out without thinking: "You don't!"

The response caught Nakoto off-guard, he could see that. At first, Repton didn't know why, but then he saw the genuine truth in his words. That was what trust was, wasn't it? Taking the risk and putting one's confidence in another? She probably didn't expect such a blatantly-true answer from him. He even surprised himself. For the majority of his life, he didn't know what trust was or believe in it, and now he was preaching for it. It was either she did or she didn't, and Nakoto would have to be a fool to believe him.

They were silent for a second longer, then Nakoto stepped back, her arm still raised. As it were, she brought it to the blade of his boomerang, and their lights clashed heavily; violent upon gold. Her eyes watched him warily for a moment longer, and as she shifted, the stitches on her shoulder glinted.

"How is your groundwork?"

Repton tilted his head in confusion, eyes narrowed. "What?"

"Can your ride take the terrain? And can you control it?" She waited patiently for him, despite she could be captured at any moment. The fact that she stuck around meant she wanted to fulfill his request. Why was she—?

"Who do you take me for?" was Repton's cold reply.

She smiled, looking as if she expected that. Repton found himself distracted by its charm, and he wasn't prepared for her striking his weapon with her own. Her Claws swept across and knocked the boomerang out of his hands. He watched it fly, then turned back to see Nakoto running for the discarded Switchblade. Setting it upright, she swung her leg over and revved the engine.

"Stick to the ground!" she shouted at him. The Cyclonians were almost there, but they wouldn't be able to hear her instructions. "Just follow my light!"

Just as the Talons came in, she accelerated on the spot, spinning the back wheel to oblivion. The dust gathered quickly, making Repton cover his eyes with his arm, and she sped off out of the cloud. The Talons went off in pursuit.

Repton watched after them for a few long moments, until he found himself again. Typically, he would be angry that Nakoto made such a show of dominance. Rendering the Raptor King defenceless, in public? That was something inviting a death-wish. But no, he had more important things in mind. He spun on his heel and ran, scooping up his dead boomerang as he passed. He realized he was still holding to the stout bottle in his hand, and without much thought he slipped it into a pocket and kept running. He didn't care about where his brother was, or if Farida was still on the Terra, or even if Maia was still hiding in the shadows.

Nakoto was within reach, willingly. Did it get any better than that?

Now, with things regarding Repton, I'm not sure how to explain my reasoning, but I had more important matters to focus on at that moment.

Speeding through the crowded paths of Saharr's bazaar wasn't exactly my idea of a nice trek, but there was nothing I could do at the moment. The people in the bazaar luckily jumped out of my way. The measly Switchblade I rode was alright, but it didn't have a chance outside in the wilderness. I had to get to Cloud Nine.

I couldn't simply disappear with my Cloaking crystal out of commission; the Cyclonians would turn the whole Terra on its head until they found me. If I chose to fly out, they would follow me, and they would catch me (I've already displayed my poor piloting, so you should understand my dilemma). I had to take everything I knew of this Terra to my advantage, and that was out in the wilderness. If I got to Cloud Nine, I would be able to travel out there, and force the Cyclonians to go airborne while I took the ground.

One might've thought that the Cyclonians had the advantage, but if luck shone down on me, then the tables would turn...

I recollected myself, and found that I was on a path perpendicular to the one where Cloud Nine rested. All I had to do was take another short-cut through another alleyway. Up ahead, I saw that Cyclonians were heading toward me, having circled the perimeter to try and corner me. The Talons behind me were getting close, and as things turned out, there were four of them and one of me. That was an effective strategy on their part, but not effective enough.

I decided to ditch my ride. I took a breath, clutched the breaks, and as I slid, I turned the Switchblade sideways, horizontally. I climbed on top of it as it tipped onto its side, then I jumped back, discarding the vehicle entirely. The Cyclonians behind me didn't see it coming, and just sped right past me on either side. Momentarily confused, they didn't recover fast enough to avoid collision with the two Talons that already crashed into my diversion. The sound was both painful and blissful to my ears.

I landed on my feet running, and I felt my legs lock painfully for a second. I grimaced, trying to shake off the pain, and I forced my mind to the present. I briefly looked at my doing, watching the merchants and visitors react in different ways —angrily, in shock, in mirth—, then I sprinted down between two tents, out of sight.

I came out and met an even bigger group of Cyclonians heading my way, and I cursed. I just couldn't get a break! I ran down the remainder of the way, and when I saw Cloud Nine, I rejoiced. The people in the area scattered when I came in, startled by a Raptor with a glowing hand, and I hopped onto my ride. I turned her on without any trouble, and I exited the area immediately.

I made it to the starting-line where the Atmos Great Race was usually held. The banner that lined from one post to the other was eased-up, rocking back and forth. No tent or vendor was anywhere near them, so I took it upon myself to use it to my advantage. Just before passing through the arch-like entrance, I whipped my Dragon's Claw out and across, forming horizontal beams that rode out like the waves of an ocean to the shore. I sliced both posts at the base, and they collapsed inward behind me, thudding to the ground. I looked behind me and saw the Cyclonians deploy their wings and take to the skies. They thought they'd smarten up this time and avoid my obstacles beforehand. But they were so easy to manipulate.

My destination was much farther than most would venture to, so it would take a while to get there. In the mean time, I had to keep the Cyclonians at bay somehow, or at least keep them from ruining my plan. If they shot anything and hit Cloud Nine, that would do me little good. Close to the ground, I made sure not to stay in one path for longer than needed. Sure enough, some Firebolts started to rain down. I evaded them with ease, now within my element.

I looked over my shoulder and up, spotting the mass of Talons gathered together, with their staffs and crossbows. They swivelled from side to side while they multi-tasked flying with attacking. Only a few decided to fly close to the ground, and as they grew closer, their aim improved. Making sure nothing was in my path, I turned myself around and swiped the air with my bio-weapon. Some scattered and flew back from the attack, some took the hit and went down with their rides.

My Dragon's Claw was starting to ache. I hadn't the reason to activate it for a long period, and now I was exceeding what I was used to. I turned my back on the Cyclonians and directed my gaze to the path before me, my right hand squeezing the handle to fend off the small pain. It was definitely uncomfortable how it spread through my fingers, like nutrients through the roots of a plant.

Swerving this way and that, I scrutinized the horizon especially. I could see a dark dot on it, beyond the canyons, but I had to be sure if that was what I thought —and wished— it was. After all, it only came by from time time.

I reached the canyons; that is to say, I reached the towering pillars of rock Saharr was known for. This was an easy place to evade Talon attack for a while... I could hear them overhead, passing over, shooting towers by accident. The rocks came plummeting down behind, beside, and before me, and I overcame them. I weaved around the place, seeing if I could shake them off for a little while. It would be just fine if I lost them here, but I had a feeling that it wouldn't be the case.

I heard a ride descend and roar on the ground behind me, and I shot a glance over my shoulder quickly. I had to look ahead of me again —you can't take your eyes off the path for even a second without the risk of crashing—, so I only had a glimpse of something prickly, thorny. I laughed, knowing what it was, even with that quick a picture. The ride itself was recognizable in itself, since I had acquainted myself with it not too long ago.

We passed through a vast tunnel, which provided a canopy for just a few moments. Once under it, I slowed down and swerved, letting myself fall back. I wasn't stopping; I was having a little fun with the speed I already generated.

"Praise, Lord of Bogaton!" I shouted when I passed Repton's speeding form. He looked back at me over his shoulder, watching me go. I kept speed for a moment, veered to his other side, then sped up. When I reached his other side, he whipped his head the opposite way to look at me. "So you really want to talk to me, huh?"

"Where are you taking us?" he demanded. The exit of the dome we were in was getting closer, and I could see Cyclonians circling outside. I smiled and inclined my head.

"If you must know, there's a sandstorm we really need to catch!"

His voice was thick with skepticism. "Sandstorm?"

"There's one that occurs occasionally, in a spot where we can have our talk in private," I continued. I swung Cloud Nine in his direction, bringing myself closer. The exit was almost upon us. "Truthfully, I don't know if it's there for sure... but trust me. Just remember what I told you."

"Follow your light? What does that even mean?"

I lifted my activated Dragon's Claw, waved at him, and when we were out in the blazing sun, I kicked his ride aside. He recollected himself before he could crash, but I was already ahead. He gave me the most murderous look that I had ever seen, but I felt like laughing. If he understood the hint I gave him, then things would turn out okay. But then, was it even smart to have done so? Why was I trusting him?

I just felt like I could. Not trust completely, because I knew that he was the reason the Cyclonians were after me... I knew that he was ordered to capture me, too. You'd think that I shouldn't set myself up like this in the first place, to talk with him in a secluded place. At any time, he could just knock me out and take me to Cyclonia. But I just felt like he wouldn't, and I trusted that feeling. Did that, in turn, mean I trusted him?

Who knows.

The columns of rock ended, and Repton finally beheld what "sandstorm" Nakoto was talking about. It was no doubt a pleasing sight to her; she was working on a bluff, or an unsure plan. But surely, the sandstorm was there, looking ominous. The weight of their rides would be enough to keep them landed for a while. However, a Cyclonian's Switchblade would simply be swept away. They couldn't go through the air either, so the capabilities of entering and maneuvering in it were the Raptors' vehicles' alone. One thing Repton couldn't fathom was, how could one possibly hold a conversation in a sandstorm, let alone last in one? There had to be something in there more than met the eye.

Nakoto looked back one more time, before getting herself caught in the clutches of the storm, and Repton returned the look. She smiled at him and held up the still-ablaze Dragon's Claw. Blasts from the Talons' Firebolts continued to make them alter their paths, but Repton couldn't break his concentration now. The hint Nakoto gave, as cryptic and confusing as it was, made sense now.

Follow my light, she said.

She entered the wall of sand, and gradually, her shadow of a figure soon disappeared. The violet light of her hand still remained bright though. The few Cyclonians who dared to venture to the storm yelled out in alarm when they couldn't follow her in. Repton smirked and pulled out his boomerang, igniting it. For just a moment, he had to give an impression for the Cyclonians; Repton, as fearless as he was, was going into a storm with the intent of claiming Beta, a living crystal. That would definitely make Cyclonis appreciate his "motivation" and "dedication".

Both were obviously short-fallen, since he had no such intent. Not yet.

He entered the storm, a little unprepared. The sand came from all different directions, and he tried squinting to keep any from blinding him. As all Raptors did, he had third eyelids to sweep away the debris, but it was still difficult. He did, however, keep his sights on Nakoto's violet beacon, which looked like a ghostly orb in the storm. He followed it, making sure to keep or shorten the distance from it. His ride leap up sometimes, with the storm's strength, and luckily he could force it down. Eventually, the storm would be great enough to even sweep a Bonewing away. For what seemed like an age, they went on through like this; Nakoto leading a blind Repton to who-knows-where.

Then she suddenly turned. Repton couldn't help but mimmic, and for a moment, they continued like before until a dark mass came into view, like the gaping mouth of an animal. The light went into it, and Repton had to skid to a stop at the opening. He looked up, observing it, and wondered at the mass of the cavern. Nakoto stopped too, having swerved her ride sideways to a stop. It wasn't so dark inside, so he could see her slightly.

"Come on!" she called to him. "Not far now."

Now it was here that Repton faltered. A trap. It was a trap, wasn't it? He did not know of this place, and Nakoto was the one leading him down there. What was she planning?

"How do I know I can trust you?" he returned.

He waited, and his patience was rewarded with Nakoto's chortling. He could see the grin on her face, and he could hear it in her voice, too.

"You don't!"

There was more than one kind of echo in that cavern. Nakoto decided to trust Repton, against anyone's better judgement. And so why wouldn't he trust her, when he'd already seen how honest a soul she had?

He gripped his boomerang so that it was beyond his windscreen, and he proceeded into the cavern. Nakoto nodded with approval, swung her ride back on track and accelerated. The cavern's floor declined a little in short, step-like breaks, making them jump down and bounce off the surfaces. The stalactites and stalagmites lined the place like teeth to various mouths. Nakoto twisted and turned with a skill that contrasted greatly with her flight skills, and luckily Repton managed to keep up with her. The rush of the sandstorm could still be heard for a while until the walls started to get smaller. The echoes of the rides were getting more deafening the deeper they went in.

"It's a tight squeeze here!" Nakoto shouted over the echoes. "Past here, and we've reached our destination."

Repton's Bonewing scrapped the wall on the left, and when he retreated a little, he scrapped on the right. Both momentary, and probably very little damage, but still discomforting. The musty air wasn't that reassuring either. Wherever this "destination" was, it couldn't be that pleasant.

Nakoto took a drop up ahead, one that made her disappear completely. Repton, now paranoid, almost found himself calling Nakoto out on treachery, but he reached where she used to be and dropped a couple feet. Once landing, he went on before skidding to a halt. He looked around and found that they had reached their destination. Thoughtless, he put his diminished boomerang on his back again.

The space broadened immensely, curved like a stadium. Repton was almost at the base where they fell from and looked around. It would've been completely dark in there if not for the little openings in the ceiling. The sand drowned the light of the sun, but it was better than nothing. What was most surprising was the body of water that gathered in the darkest part of the cavern. Provided, it was a good deal deeper than the ground outside, but it was a wonder why it hadn't evaporated yet. It was here that his gaze immediately went to Nakoto, who stopped by this little lake. She turned off her ride and sort of skipped over to the water, with an urgency in her bounce. When she got to the water, she crouched and dipped her right hand into the water. He heard her sigh to herself, as if relieved from some kind of pain.

Repton let his Bonewing die, dismounted it and approached where Nakoto was. His steps echoed, which made Nakoto look up at him over her shoulder. She nodded her head toward her ride and laughed.

"Not a 'sorry-looking piece of junk', now is she?"

End of Chapter

A/N: Now this one took considerably longer. Mainly because it was mostly action/descriptions and right now I feel nothing but scorn for schoolwork and university applications.

Oh dear March Break, get here swiftly!

Hope you liked it! And please, review me with your thoughts; I like to know what my readers think!

~Vixen