Sorry this took so long my laptop broke, and my computer was rebelling. I've had to resort to uploading on the college computers (the things I do for you guys ;))
I won't ramble, mainly because I don't want to be caught on here ^^"
Enjoy!
O.O.
That night Dark Ace lay tossing and turning in the bed they once shared, with his wrists tied above his head to the wooden frame. Raspy gasps of air were leaping from his chest and escaping his lips all night as he dealt with his restless illness. He was constantly gritting his teeth to subconsciously deal with the pain, and every now and then some nasty sting would throb beneath his skin causing his body to jolt suddenly.
Sweat drops were formulating on his brow, and were trickling down his face rather quickly causing his head of thick black hair to soak. His breath was hitched and shuddered as he panted heavily, his chest trembling as it rose and lowered with every breath.
Aerrow was sat on a wooden chair, his eyes were fixated on the Talon with a hateful stare. Held tightly against his chest was the photograph of him and his squadron, and in his other hand was a recently sharpened knife, his grip on it so tight that his knuckles had lost their colour.
The young Sky Knight had made an attempt at sleeping on the floor, his blanket and pillow were still set up next to the bed. But all he could think in his mind was What if he turns? What if the rope is too weak against him? They get stronger during the night. He had never experienced such a strong flush of paranoia. Was this what it felt like to be Stork? It would explain why he was always so jittery, why he had fought so hard to keep Starling at bay with the broom when all this started.
He took his eyes of the sleeping liability for a moment and admired Stork's face in the photo, the Merb hadn't even bothered to pose for the shot.
"Sorry I didn't help you," he whispered with sorrow. "I'm ready for him though Stork, I won't let myself get bit, I'll end this infection for you." He couldn't help but admire how docile Stork had been when they were trying to formulate a plan against the zombies. Rather than predict their doomed outcome, he really tried to focus and fight to save the chance of redeeming Atmos to it's true nature.
Now that he was thinking about one friend he couldn't stop, and his eyes soon traveled over to Finn, who was being picked up by Junko. A light half hearted chuckle passed his lips, and a narrow smile curled on his weary face.
"I can't believe how brave you were. My awesome sharp shooter stayed behind so that our safety was ensured. You were right, you always did have my back, and I can't wait to hear your music skills again. I'll listen to you play everyday, I promise, hell I'll even ask for a few lessons." It had never occurred to the redhead how much they took Finn for granted, and just expected him to accept that he was the goof of the group. He was, but Aerrow should have worked to make him as happy as he tried to make Piper.
"I'm working on that cure we talked about pal," Aerrow said to Junko's face, emerald flickered back up to the Cyclonian for a moment, "Never try to reason with a zombie." Good advice that no doubt everyone would agree with, if only Junko had known, if only he hadn't been so bloody nice. He wouldn't make the Wallop's mistake, he wouldn't restrain hostility towards the one he was currently dealing with because he was a comrade. Thankfully it was Dark Ace, so shoving a blade through his skull wouldn't be as heavy duty of a task as usual.
Piper. The Sky Knight had given his beautiful Crystal Mage so much thought that he had no more words to say to her, it wouldn't seem right after mourning her body. So all he could offer her photo tonight was a sweet kiss.
The last one was Radar. And for some reason, seeing the excitement and innocent love in the sky monkey's eyes caused Aerrow's temporary strength to crumble. He covered his welling eyes as a tear formed in both corners. That horrifying image of what was left of his body - no! He couldn't think like that, not tonight. He had something he needed to do, and if Dark Ace turned and attacked while he was one big messy bumbling idiot, he would die.
The sun finally decided to peek through the dusty curtains of the Terra Gale home, making Aerrow sigh with relief. He had actually managed to stay awake all night (as far as he knew), so he gave his weary green eyes a vigorous rub and yawned with his mouth as far as it could stretch.
The Sky Knight rose to his feet and headed over to the Talon with wobbly legs from sitting all night. He peered down at the Dark Ace who was still unconscious, but he appeared worse than when he had found him yesterday.
The older man was drenched in sweat, his wrists were glowing red from the chafing against the rope restraints, and he was still gasping and whining as his body tried to cope with whatever had invaded him. Infact there even seemed to be little droplets clinging to the corner of his squeezed shut eyes. Was he actually crying?
Now that's a scary thought; think of how deadly the Sky Knight slayer is, then consider him getting infected. If he is reduced to whimpers and tears, it must really hurt like hell.
But he had not changed, although Aerrow was aware that it was different for each person, so maybe he still needed some time for his cadaverous features to awaken?
It may have been the exhaustion, or the fact that he had not eaten all night during his guard, but the teen was feeling pretty agitated. He couldn't wait and see any longer. Strictly speaking he probably should have done this from the beginning.
With a pocket knife he sliced down Dark Ace's drenched t-shirt and ripped it off his body, revealing the assortment of scars he had spotted on their many nights together. However from what he could see, there were no fresh wounds on his front. Time to check the back, although he couldn't flip the Cyclonian over. So he knelt on the damp bed beside the traitor and proceeded to reach around and run his hands up and down his back numerous times, trying to locate something damp that wasn't sweat, or trail his fingers along a bite or scratch.
After concluding that his back was clean...(of a zombie infliction anyway) he wiped his hands vigorously down his shirt with a disgusted grimace. And that grimace didn't waver as he knew exactly where he had to go next, and what he needed to do in order to check.
Exerting a dramatic sigh he whined "The memory of these events just had to be cemented in my mind didn't they?" With that he unbuttoned the raven haired man's pants, tried not to look too focused as he reeled the zipper down and completely averted his eyes as he tugged them off Dark Ace's legs. The sweat made the last pull a bit of a chore, and Aerrow cursed under his breath a naughty amount of times until the last length passed the older man's feet.
There he lay, tossing and turning, close to naked. Somehow lying in the dark with him like this was no where near as violating as this was, and it could only get worse. He scanned the front half of his legs and determined them fine, then like his back, raced his hands up and down his lower limbs until he was certain there were no signs of a wound.
After that he wiped the sweat off again, and glanced at the one last place on Dark Ace's body that he had yet to check. The last place that was still wrapped in clothing.
"And I'm positive you would have killed yourself if they had bit you in that place so you're clean," he dismissed quickly and hopped off the bed, trying to mentally drain the newly formed imagery of what he had just done.
So now what was he supposed to do? Dark Ace was completely clean, unless there was another way of catching it, but Stork had never announced such a possibility. So the traitor was just desperately ill, but Aerrow had no clue as to what had caused it, or what it even was. None of his squadron had never fell victim to such a violent disease.
There was also the matter of the Cyclonian being...well a Cyclonian. Illness or not, he couldn't forgive him for all the lies and heartache he had caused him. Maybe he should just leave the crimson eyed man to die, cough his way into hell, it was the least he deserved if he really had been plotting about zombies with his teenage Queen.
But what if he really was innocent? Then Aerrow would have not only let an innocent man die, he would have been the reason for a friend's death. The teen was slumped on the couch with his legs tucked into his chest. His eyes were closed, he was shattered and wanted nothing more than to drift off and float away from the nightmare.
He was fed up with it all; the zombies, the decisions, even the survival. Why wasn't it over already?! Why was he still isolated from his friend's company? Why was he still enduring the dreadful disappointment when he woke every morning, to find that he would not get to smile back at Piper's adorable face?
He wanted to scratch Radar's ears again, he wanted to sit with friends and watch television, he wanted...a life. And he certainly didn't want to have the responsibility of a man's life in his hands. Because this choice was so difficult.
If it had been months ago, he could gladly leave Dark Ace to fend for himself against what ever the hell he had. But that wasn't the case now, because stupid Dark Ace had to actually behave like a human being for a change, and fuck up everything that Aerrow once knew about the Atmos.
Aerrow hated how angry it made him. Dark Ace was a Talon, but this revelation of deception had shocked him and caused him to feel utterly betrayed. It shouldn't, but it did.
His mind was a muddle, he wanted his friends to help him decide. Even if the conclusion was let him die, he would be satisfied just as long as his family had helped him decide that it was the best course of action.
His disarray of thoughts flickered away as sleep finally shrouded his concerns and kept him a dreamless slumber for about five hours.
At eleven thirty Aerrow was already calling for the dragon to come down to Gale, he had eaten and freshened up. Sleep had not helped him develop an idea on what to do about the Cyclonian. But he wouldn't let it deter him from ending this horror movie of a new life. He was going to set off to another Terra and retrieve a new crystal just as planned. Dark Ace could stew in his own filth for another day, and if he didn't make it well...Aerrow would never know the truth, but he could live with that.
He sailed through the blue skies that morning on the back of the dragon, loving the pure thrill that came with the flight. The undulating, the beat of it's colossal wings right by your sides. And the heavyweight seemed to make spiraling and dipping around so much more breathtaking than a skimmer. And while he searched for the best Terra, he made the most of every second.
Flying was such a beautiful art, and it helped the teen recover the simple joys in life that are so hard to come by these days. He trusted this dragon as much as he did Radar, and it resulted in his confidence flourishing. First he took his hands off the reigns and mirrored the dragon's wings when it glided with his arms, yelling with excitement.
And eventually the adrenaline junkie could not resist abandoning the saddle altogether, and standing on the beast's back like he would with his old ride. His feet shifted a bit as it was clearly unsteady, but as he surfed through the clouds and coursed his fingers through the fluffy white puffs he regretted nothing.
Suddenly something shot up in the sky close by, causing the dragon to shudder with fright. Aerrow dropped to his knees and rolled down it's sides, gripping it's back legs to avoid dropping through the sky (although that would have been fucking awesome).
"Woah boy! Woah slow down!" He yelped as it kicked and struggled in the air trying to deal with whatever that red smokey thing was.
"STOP!" His assertive order snapped the frightened creature out of it's panicked state, and it finally started to steady itself giving Aerrow the chance to clamber back up to the safety of his brown leather saddle.
That red shot was hanging in the air and Aerrow recognised it as a flare gun, which meant someone on that Terra close by must need help. He directed the dragon over to it and took a moment to observe what was happening. He couldn't jump into a situation, especially with no one to watch his back.
"Wait...I know this - oh no," he face fell into his hand with a smack. Of course he couldn't fly away now, he'd been seen, and well being a Sky Knight flying down in case there was an actual emergency was the decent thing to do. Shame Dark Ace wasn't here he could have punched Noob in the face or something.
But alas down he went to greet the obnoxious - enthusiastic number one fan of the Storm Hawks. He and the dragon reluctantly settled down on the ground with the stubby little fan charging towards them in an ecstatic manner.
"Wooooaaaaaahhh! I just knew it was you Aerrow! You riding a dragon? Coolest thing ever! Although that fall was pretty disappointing." Aerrow had been regretting the decision to swoop down since he saw the flair, what the bloody hell convinced him to do it?
"Noob, please I am not in the mood to -"
"So where are the others? Off helping some Terras with this apocalypse right? Heh I actually mentioned in the fan's newspaper once that you guys are at the top of my list for my zombie killing team -"
"Noob! Shut up!" The youngster in glasses fell silent, utterly shocked by his hero's outburst. Aerrow wasn't sure what compelled him to even bother confiding in this nuisance, "They're dead...all of them...fell victim to this war you're treating like a game. You haven't had any bother from them I take it?"
Noob couldn't even speak, his mouth hung open with the sudden strike of reality, he merely shook his head slowly.
"Didn't think so, you don't have that look in your eye. The flicker of pain, and pure fear. Because that's what I feel, I couldn't save them, and I can barely bring myself to kill those things. I am NOT a hero. It's time for me to go, I have a mission and I'm wasting time."
"Wait, what mission maybe I could come with you and help?" He urged desperately, wanting to relieve the torture the subject of his admiration was so clearly facing.
"Sorry Noob but no you can't come, it's dangerous, I have to travel to every single Terra so-"
"Well if that's the case please take some of my warp crystals!"
Aerrow's defeated march came to a hault, he turned around and met the fan's gaze, "Warp crystals?"
"Yeah they grow here remember?"
"Noob, thank you, that's exactly what I need!" Not to travel from Terra to Terra, no the dragon was perfect for that, and warping into a Terra was not a smart plan when there are zombies anywhere and almost everywhere. The ray of victory was glimmering ever so slightly in emerald once again, because he was back on track, and Noob had proved that not everyone were assholes. Well he kinda was, but he was being helpful at least.
After Noob fetched him far too many crystals that beamed a beautiful bright purple, he had to thank Noob and sit with him in his trailer for a few minutes. Talking to someone who wasn't a threat, Raptor, or traitor was so refreshing he felt he had to relish the moment.
At first Noob asked Aerrow how the Storm Hawks had died, which the teen answered hastily and switched topics rather quickly. "Can I ask you something?"
"You can ask me anything Aerrow!" He was still far too excitable, damn him.
"What do you think about the Cyclonians?"
"Not worrying about those losers are you? Because there's no need to, they're pathetic bullies who can't match your skills! Even though you're kinda miserable now, you're still the best of the best! And they're still rotten people who deserve everything they get."
A statement Aerrow himself would have once made if asked about the self proclaimed elite soldiers, "Yeah. But you see, recently I, well I've wondered if good and evil is just a myth. Although now I'm not sure. I...Urgh God I don't know what to think!" The redhead wrapped his face away in his leather gloved hands once again, trying to ward away the stressful surreal throb that arose whenever he tried to deal with the notion that Dark Ace wasn't a good man, he was evil like he thought he would, the friendship that seemed pretty real was a lie, like it really should have been anyway. But he didn't want it to be, so maybe that was clouding his judgement, maybe it had been obvious from the beginning.
"Woah, woah there pal it's OK take it easy," he gave Aerrow's shoulder a supportive pat. "Where is this coming from? What makes you think those guys deserve more than a spit in their face?"
He looked his fan in the eyes, past those milk bottle glasses, and swallowed hard praying that he wouldn't disappoint this boy. Because if he did, if his number one fan couldn't relate to his thoughts and say I understand why when told about the little adventure he had been on with a particular killer, then when this was all over. No one would. Dark Ace would be right, no one would see it as a breathtaking truce it would be a treacherous disaster.
"To help me with my mission," how in the Atmos would he finish this sentence. He could only manage the blunt version, "Dark Ace has been working with me. Like a truce." The shattering of Noob's glass on the floor voiced his opinion on the matter rather accurately, which was just as well since his mouth had unhinged rendering him speechless.
"But it doesn't matter now," Aerrow rushed to try and defend what had been going on, "Because it turns out he and Cyclonis are responsible for all this."
"They what!? Those those I don't think there is a word to express how angry I am right now! Seriously though how did you fall for that?"
The redhead through him a scowling look, "He was acting friendly enough."
"Huh, well I bet when you confronted him that front was wiped clean pretty easily. God the fight that must have ensued was probably legendary, I bet his expression was that hate filled look he does that makes you want to boot him in the mouth! But no doubt you kicked his ass and left him in the dirt, right?"
Aerrow was silenced. Dark Ace should have reverted back into the kind of man that holds pure hatred in his blood red eyes, and wears and expression that reads overkill. But he didn't, he looked like someone had just kicked a puppy down a hill or something. It was completely out of character, there was no epic fight but why? Aerrow had wanted to beat him to the floor then and there. But Dark Ace had ran, his weapons were just as deadly as his and he ran. The man who thrived for the undoubted answer of violence took off instead of trying to run his blade through his supposedly teen rival. But why?
The next thing Noob knew, the Storm Hawk had practically leapt out of the mobile home and mounted his dragon. The Sky Knight had to know why, he needed to know. Why didn't Dark Ace fight back, it was what their relationship revolved around.
Had Cyclonis ordered him to keep him alive or something? If so further investigation would be executed. And he would get to the bottom of it, for all he knew it could bring the mission to a halt.
Before the clouds even shifted to unveil the small Terra that was Gale, the dragon was growling with hostility. Like a dog when it can sense an unwanted intruder nearing your home.
Aerrow pulled the gun from it's hold hastily, and as the Terra soon came into sight the teen realised what the fuss was about.
Raptor skimmers. Two Raptor skimmers.
It dawned on Aerrow of course they should have expected more to show up, the thirteen including Snipe that had chased them wouldn't have returned. The large lizards were a family not a troop, so of course search parties would be executed.
Or not...What if they knew they were already here? Dark Ace would definitely be informing his alliance of the Sky Knight's whereabouts. Maybe the liar wasn't even ill, and they were having a meeting on what to do with the redhead now that he knew the truth.
So Aerrow directed the dragon to abruptly drop down below Terra surface level. Once there he swooped over to it and hung in the air just under where the grass starts growing. Aerrow hopped from it's back to the ridge of the little Terra and clambered up. A dragon would be too easily spotted, but the leader of the Storm Hawks crept into dangerous situations all the time.
In a crouch he snuck up to the window to check the area inside; all clear, the Master's followers must all be upstairs. Perfect that made his job far more easier.
Aerrow pushed the door at a mind numbing pace as he bared in mind the old hinges loved to creak. Once in his gun was out, and his breath was hitched. He loved low cover, but it didn't usually involve the chance of death. Crystal weapons never had the option of instant death, only temporary paralysis; if you hit in the right place.
He wasn't only scared for his own life, but the lives of everyone else. If he couldn't save the Atmos literally no one else would be able to carry out the task. He really should consider sending out a letter to someone.
So Aerrow crept up the stairs with sharp eyes and a weary mind, the voices of the two Raptors now close enough to hear. The redhead stopped half-way up the stairs to listen in on their conversation, their voices were hushed with that strong hiss that accompanied those with a fork tongue.
"For what he did to Repton? This bastard traitor doesn't deserve to breathe for an extra minute," the sound of a blade unsheathing followed.
"I know brother I agree! But think about how fun it will be, watching him cower infront of us all. I agree the two faced traitor deserves to die, but not quickly without a satisfactory helping of humiliation."
"I can't hold out that long! He's lying here in the palm of our hands! He murdered our brother, abandoned the name of Cyclonia and now stands by that Storm Hawk boy's side, for that if I can't kill him I must do some damage here and now."
Aerrow heard their footsteps draw closer to the bed where the traitor lay, his emerald eyes were painted with a particular tint that had not been worn in his gaze for quite some time now. His brows furrowed as he knew exactly what he had to do; he was going to save the Dark Ace.
This was the time to lose morals and jump into action, a vibe that he was strongly familiar with (although it only resulted in the damage of an enemy skimmer and a parachute being deployed). Aerrow knew in his heart, that those days were a thing of the past, in order to survive such a hellish reality one had to become cutthroat, a feeling that sent a nasty churn in his stomach.
At this point in time, it wasn't clear if the redhead could actually adjust to this lifestyle and slit the Raptor's throats who were a mere staircase away. But the one thing that surged him forward to break that final distance now, was the knowledge that everything would be erased. His memories would remain of all the blood and pain, but his guilt would vacate his mind for good.
So he did something that a spineless Cyclonian did; and threw a knife directly into a Raptor's back. The overgrown lizard froze and fell face first seconds later, this thankfully resulted in his brother standing there in sheer shock for a moment as he realised than another of his kin was gone.
This gave the Storm Hawk the opportunity to surge forward, although the fact that he was actually performing such wicked deeds caused his feet to drag with a heavy weight of regret. Just as the beast from Bogaton realised that he was not alone, Aerrow buried his sword deep into his chest.
The sound was nauseating. The toughness of the steel trying to force it's way through the skin was a feeling like no other. Facing a foe, and crossing their cold stare as they silently judge for you have done to them, was a twisted sensation. And in the end all Aerrow could do was let his hands fall from than handle, and step away from the vicious crime he had just commited.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, the fact that the scaly rogue couldn't possibly have heard didn't even cross his mind.
Many minutes passed, before Aerrow could finally abandon the position his guilt had glued him to. He thought dragging Dark Ace through the house was a chore, trying to dispose of these two was going to be a whole new level of hard, not to mention all the blood. God he hated blood when it leaked from people's bodies. He didn't think it was a sight he would ever adjust to.
The Sky Knight wandered over to where the traitor to the crown lay in bed harmless, thanks to him. It was a reminder that his actions were somewhat justified.
Without even thinking, Aerrow leaned over him and wiped the masses of sweat that had formed on his brow away with his sleeve. The Dark Ace was not bitten, but he looked like death would be knocking on his door soon.
With that, his emerald eyes rolled over to where the portrait of his team lay untouched on his pillow, still on the wooden floor. He knelt down and couldn't help but look at them all closely once again.
"Sorry guys," he started with a hard swallow, "You're going to have to wait a little longer." He rose and placed the framed picture back on the bedside table, with that heroic smile he finished "I've got another friend to save first."
O.O.
Please read and review! And I hope you enjoyed this chapter.