Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with "Storm Hawks". Characters, places, and other aspects of the story (except for original characters, animals, locations, and some other aspects) that are referenced to do not belong to me.
A/N: So, now we are returning to the whole x amount of years prior to the formation of the Storm Hawks.
5 years prior to the formation of the Storm Hawks, on board the Thunderbird, en route to Terra Quies…
The sun had set and the crew of the Thunderbird had cleaned up and prepared for dinner.
"Has anyone seen Phoenix?" asked Sparrow.
"He's still out on the runway with his phoenix." replied Crow flatly.
"He seems to be talking to it." Warbler said as he placed down a plate of potatoes.
"He's been at it ever since we got back." Finch added.
"I'll go tell him dinner's ready. Be right back." stated Sparrow as she got up from the table and went to get Phoenix.
"You don't suppose the phoenix is hungry too?" asked Buzzard raising an eyebrow.
The three laughed at his comment and began to eat.
Out on the deck…
"So, you incinerated the Cyclonian cruiser's engines while Falcon, my dad, saved the civilian freighter with the rest of the squadron?" asked Phoenix.
"Yep, those Cyclonians were more burnt than when your father left the toast on the campfire for too long." replied Redemption speaking through Phoenix's head.
The two shared a small chuckle.
"Phoenix! Dinner!" Sparrow yelled from the deck.
"Alright, coming!" Phoenix shouted back.
"That friend of yours, Sparrow, is it?" asked Redemption inquisitively.
"Yeah, one of the crystal mages from our crew. What about her?" replied Phoenix questioningly.
"There is something special with that one. I can't specify what it is exactly, but your friend is capable of much preservation or much destruction." continued the phoenix.
"Well, Sparrow's told me she's been training herself on how to do the binding with her crystals." added Phoenix.
"Phoenix, keep her safe. She does not know that she possesses great power yet, but when she does, make sure she stays on the right side of things. With that kind of power in the wrong hands, much more death and destruction will result from it." finished Redemption.
"I see. I'll keep an eye out." stated Phoenix to the fiery bird.
"Alright, well you best be heading to dinner." stated the phoenix.
"Yeah, but wait. How do I find you again?" asked Phoenix.
"Notice how I'm speaking to you through your mind? Just call to me using the same method, and I will arrive promptly. It is how your dad talked to me as well. Goodbye Phoenix." stated Redemption as the large flaming wings fluttered and propelled the phoenix into the night, illuminating its immediate surroundings.
Phoenix left the runway to join his crew.
Later that night…
The crew had cleaned up, and the Thunderbird was now on auto-pilot en route to Terra Quies.
Phoenix tip-toed past his sleeping friends' quarters until he reached Sparrow's quarters.
He knew she was still up, because shortly after dinner, he had told her that he wanted to speak with her in private.
"Sparrow, you awake?" asked the sky knight to the darkened room.
"Yeah, what did you want to talk about?" asked Sparrow in a whisper as she lay on her bed.
"Sparrow, Redemption told me that he sensed great power within you. You're special." stated Phoenix as he sat next to Sparrow's bed.
"Oh, I'm just another crystal mage in-training." replied Sparrow now readjusting her pillow.
"You're more than that according to Redemption." stated Phoenix silently.
"And frankly, you're more than that to me." said Phoenix now looking at those familiar emerald eyes.
"Phoenix, you know I'm with Buzzard. Also, I thought you had dropped your intentions when we had the conversation about priorities." stated Sparrow now sitting up and looking down at her pillow.
"I was rash in what I said. Every night during training, I looked up to the moon because I missed you so much too. I guess I just didn't show it at the time, and now all of this has happened. I know I'm endangering the integrity of the team, but I need you with me. Part of me says, I don't care about the consequences. Like those days when we were freeing Terra Quies. Those days when we were working together to free our people, and having the time of our lives." stated Phoenix yearningly.
"Phoenix, I have to be honest here. I feel conflicted too. Ever since you left, Buzzard stepped into my life, and treats me so nicely. I don't want him heartbroken-
"And what about my heart?" stated Phoenix with a pained look on his face.
"Look, I don't know. Maybe time will help us unravel these conflicts." stated Sparrow evidently torn between the sky knight and the crystal mage.
"Just know this. Forever and always, I love you." stated Phoenix as Sparrow turned a full shade of red.
"Thanks Phoenix, I dare say, I feel the same about you." stated Sparrow silently.
"Then leave him! Please!" stated Phoenix in a more hectic whisper.
"Phoenix, you and I both know that would mean repercussions for the team." replied Sparrow honestly.
"Alright, I shouldn't pester you with this. I don't want to cause any more trouble." stated Phoenix now looking down at his lap.
"You never caused me trouble. If anything, I see it as a wonderful array of adventures." Sparrow finished as she put a hand on Phoenix's lap.
Phoenix, now turning a full shade of red, put his own hand onto Sparrow's hand, held it as he got up, and kissed her on the forehead.
"Goodnight." Phoenix said as he headed out of her room.
"Goodnight." replied Sparrow now more conflicted than ever and bearing the same shade of red as Phoenix.