Episode 21- Piper's POV
We all went into the streets, bangind pots and pans to get people to exit the buildings and give us thier attention. Aerrow gave a convincing speech that reflect all of our experience. Not a lot, but some stepped up to the plate to help cultivate crystals and create new weapons they could use. The rest somberly packed up thier things and helped each other moves things to the other side of the town.
Cycloniss, using her power, and Sanders moved planks to the Barrier Cliffs and built a platfrom around the spikes. A normal shelter would be too obvious, they would have to hide behind the spikes.
Some time during the trek there, a little girl started following closely behind Cycloniss and stayed with her the entire time. I watched her perform 'magic' tricks for the girl who looked on in wonder and amazement. The little girl's smile was contagious, I had to smile myself, and Cycloniss was not immune.
"Okay, Cycloniss it's time." Without a word she went to move the green monsters to their place.
Not long after was she back, and the rest of the gang.
"The other side is looking great. This town will be well defended." Aerrow said.
"That's great!"
"Yeah, great. Now hand over the crystals." Cycloniss said sourly.
"No way."
"Don't trust me? Well how am I going to defend myself?"
"I'll be doing that." I told her. She turned away, arms crossed, clearly annoyed.
"Here Piper, this is what's left after the north side took what they needed."
"It's enough, thanks." And he left to check on the citizens.
"Let's go Cyclonis." I said gently. She followed, keeping pace.
"We're not friends, nor are we going to be after this." she said.
"I know, and we'll be fighting each oher again. But I want you to know something-"
"I don't want to hear it-"
"I don't hate you. And to me, we can pick up where we left off; friends fight all the time. You can't say we weren't friends back then." She stayed silent.
"So why don't you give up and you can..let go, start over?" I proposed.
"When we get to Atmos, Cyclonia won't be Cyclonia ruled by a Master. The Sky Knight council would have assigned a squadron to them and be of help to the people. It isn't as if Atmos would cause harm to them. If you stay with us, I can give you a new life; you don't have to lose it to the war, it isn't worth it. You can do so much good with your power." She wouldn't look at me but she had to listen to me! I grabbed her shoulders and made her face me.
"Cycloniss! You save me once, now let me save you!" And then I saw she was crying.
"Cy-Lark…" Her tears tainted with her eyeliner rained down her face, her eyes thundering with pain. I tried to pull her into a hug but she pushed me away.
"I'm sorry I lied, is that what you wanted to hear?!" She growled, roughly wiping her tears away.
"Is that what you've been wanting to say?"
"…I really don't like you."
"Yes you do. While we're talking again, what happened to Dark Ace after you blew him up."
"He can atomize himself and put himself together."
"You could have mentioned that."
"Slipped my mind." she shrugged.
"Anything else?"
"You already know he's stronger now. He doesn't need me for power anymore. He's a danger to the Farside and Atmos."
"I know. He has to die."
"I sure wish I did before this happened."
"Is hurting people really that easy for you."
"No! I grew up under his tutelage, we both enjoyed winning; it's not easy! You don't understand anything Piper, I'm not coming with you to Atmos, I'm not going to be your friend! I'm not giving up without a fight!" She turned on her heel and flew ahead with her power.
"Lark!" I screamed, trying to catch up on foot. Whe we reached the other side of town, we faced all four Anarchids, a swarm of Nightcrawlers, Dark Ace leading them all.
"It ends now." Lark swore.
The next chapter may be the last.