Author's Note: Well, this is it! The official last chapter, although everything important has already happened. This is where you'll get a hint about what will happen in the next story, and the final threads will be wrapped up.
Thanks to Pascy, Tege, Zapwing, Bergie, Hawk-Masters, Love Shall Never Die, and Helliexx for reviewing last chapter. I'm so glad you liked it!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Storm Hawks
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Piper stood with Cyclonis in her bedroom, helping her pack the last of her stuff. The Dark Ace had already taken her first two suitcases out to his skimmer.
"I'm just so sad you have to go," Piper said. "At least we won't go back to being enemies, now that this shadow war is over."
"Over?" Cyclonis scoffed. "You're my best friend ever, but sometimes you surprise me at how naïve you can be, Piper. The war isn't over. I bought you maybe a month's time to finish setting up shields at every Terra. The war is just beginning."
Piper's mouth dropped open. "What do you mean? You killed all the shadows."
"All the shadows that were in Atmos at the time. Think of how many universes that there could be, how many the shadows could have drained of life. We have no idea how many there are, but I know there are more. The portal is still open."
Piper's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure?" she asked.
Cyclonis was very sure. She could feel the presence of more shadows out there, she could feel their hunger.
"I am sure," she said.
"Then why are you leaving?" Piper wondered, grasping at straws.
"My people need me, and if we're going to win this war it will help to have the full power of the Cyclonian empire backing you up. Don't worry, Piper, we will see each other again, I promise." She gave her friend a sad smile, and a quick hug.
"What are we going to do?" Piper pleaded. "How are we going to fight off the shadows without you?"
"I have a couple of ideas involving Leecher crystals," Cyclonis said. "And the shadows won't be back immediately. They'll be more careful this time. All the Terras will be safe by the time they return. You'll be fine."
Cyclonis looked around the room once more, but it was bare. It was time for her to leave, for now. "Goodbye, Piper," she said sadly. "I'm not one for 'Farewells,' so I'm going to get out of here before I lose it completely and start crying. Give the Storm Hawks my love."
Piper nodded, not trusting herself to speak without sobbing, and waved her best friend goodbye once more, then Cyclonis walked to the hanger bay alone. The Dark Ace waited there on his skimmer. Together, they flew off into the sunset.
Yes, they would miss the Storm Hawks, but they were needed elsewhere. However, they would never forget the lessons they had learned on board the Condor.
The shadow war wasn't over; no, it was just beginning. The shadows may have had superior numbers, or be nearly invincible, but against all odds, the Storm Hawks and their Cyclonian friends had managed to survive the first wave of attacks. Now, they were ready, the Terras were protected, and they had some idea how to kill the shadows. Now, Atmos was united against this evil, and they were determined to survive.
The Cyclonians may have said "Goodbye," but truly, it was only a "see you later." The Shadow War was only just beginning, and Cyclonis had a feeling that so were her adventures with the Storm Hawks.
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Okay, about the sequel: the name will be "The Shadow War," and I will state in the summary it is the sequel to "The Same Team." I'm not sure how quickly it will come out—I have three other stories going. Hey, if any of you want to check them out:
Prisoner-written from Starling's POV. She's captured by Cyclonia, and it's what happens to her there. A lot of action, DA/S as it progresses.
Perfect Attunement-my fluff story. All fluff! Dark Ace and Cyclonis meet up on the Far Side, and they are willing to do anything to take down the Storm Hawks. However, to beat Aerrow and Piper, they need to reach Perfect Attunement, and to reach Perfect Attunement, one needs to be perfectly in love. So, it's basically Cyclonis and Dark Ace trying to fall in love—funny, cute fluff!
Being Cyclonis-a random idea that came into my head. A teenage girl is kidnapped from earth by the Dark Ace because of her natural crystal skills, and the old Master Cyclonis is dying. Basically, goes through all the episodes (and some fluff in between) showing what would happen if Master Cyclonis was good.
Okay, now I feel kind of guilty because I used my after-note to advertise my other stories. But those are what I'm working on, and I'll probably just work on them for a bit before I post "The Shadow War." So, um, don't expect this sequel for a week. (I know, it's not that long, but I usually post every day, so it's practically forever for me!)
Thank you all so much! And no, Cyclonis didn't kill your shadows (some of you were worried, I think) because they weren't in the Atmos. Thanks again, and until the sequel!!
~Kitty