Episode 36

"It's not what it looks like." I said with my hands up.

"You have some explaining to do." Aerrow said.

"There isn't any. It's all here." Piper said, and gave Aerrow the list I made of things Cycloniss needed to get to where she was now.

"...you betrayed us." Aerrow said. It sounded almost final. He looked at me as if I were an enemy. He had come to me many times, opened up about fears, worries, and insecurities and I 'acted' like a true friend. I had turned him inside out, violated him-

"I didn't. I would never-"

"I trusted you!" He said, pulling out his blades. I stepped back, putting my hands up.

"I would never hurt you like that, any of you!" Finn stepped closer.

"Don't hurt her." Arrow looked at him, then back at me.

"You're a traitor."

"I'm not. I thought that I could help!"

"Calm down everyone." I heard a familiar voice say. I was so glad to see Starling.

"Now Starlight would never do that. I would know. She's been working undercover with me for a few months now."

"You found out about the key because I told Ravess to tell you. I'm the one that put her there. I knew you would go back there after Stork told you about the door he found there. I couldn't tell you myself because Cycloniss thought I was working for her, and she would immediately know it was me and I wouldn't be able to help."

They all looked at each other and at Starling. Starling was one of the best Sky Knights Atmos ever had. She was beside Lightning Strike. They couldn'tbelieve Starling would lie but at the same time, there was so much evidence against me.

"A few months? Starting when."

"A few weeks after we met. About two months after."

"When were you going to tell us?"

"I...I don't know." I never thought of telling them, did I.

"What do you mean you don't know."

"I don't, I-I'm still undercover. After the war?"

"Seriously?" I shrugged at a loss of what else to say.

"I thought you trusted me." I huffed. "I thought that you'd accept it when you found out. It didn't seem like something that would be a surprise, or something I would have to defend. I'm...a Sky Knight. I didn't know that Terras would be destroyed. When I found out about her plan, I started drawing out the place from memory in case it came in handy. Cycloniss has increased the size of her Nightcrawler army since we first saw them. On top of all the soldiers scattered throughout the tower...it's all there for us to use." I said pointing to those places.

"Everyone, it's in the midst of a fight that you need to know who your friends are, and be confident in it." Starling started. "Trust them absolutely or you're shaky without it. I never once doubted my squadron. I knew where their allegiance lied, I can bet my life on it. I knew they had my back always, and I knew they felt the same way about me. When we fought, I was never afraid, and neither were they. This connection is why we were great, and why we continue to be great. " Everyone hung their heads in deep thought.

"I love you all. I would never betray any of you, not for anything. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I just...I didn't think you'd understand or believe me. I was scared that you wouldn't, of where that would lead me." I guess I was right.

"I didn't want to take the risk. You guys mean a lot to me, I trust you with my life. It really hasn't been easy doing this, keeping secrets." They were silent.

"I believe her." Finn said after a moment, but he still wasn't the usual energetic Finn. "She wouldn't do that."

"Thank you...Finn." I weaved my fingers into his but he didn't grip my hand.

"Yeah, of course she wouldn't. She's a Storm Hawk like us." Aerrow said, rubbing the back of his head in embarassment. "Sorry, I...I should have trusted you."

"Yeah," Piper said. "I'm more sorry it's just...you know."

"I know. I don't blame any of you for your reaction so it's ok." They smiled at that.

"Good to see you again." Starling said, putting an arm on my shoulders. She still didn't really touch people like that. I gave her a one-arm hug.

"You too Starling. But I came to check everyone was ok. I have to go back."

"Why?" Aerrow asked.

"Because Cycloniss doesn't know anything. I'm still her right hand."

"But...she destryoed those terras? She'll destroy you too." No, she wouldn't...right?

"I don't have a choice. I know what she did, but it's far from over. We need someone on the inside. I'll be fine. Trust me."

"Well...I guess."

"I'll be back before you miss me."

Now they knew. I didn't have to keep it secret anymore, which was a weight off my shoulders. But I couldn't tell them I was friends with Cy after what's happened. I still pitied her even after all that's happened. They wouldn't understand that. Not even Piper would accept it. But I'm still sure I'm doing the right thing, right? Can't turn back now.

I walked everyone through the layout of the building and warned them about the new upgrades given to the Nightcrawlers but unable to specify what they did. I didn't even know understand the mechanism. In the end it was late at night and the others went to bed. I had to hurry out. I packed some food to take to Ravess on my way back to Cyclonian since I was in the relative area, and some sandcakes for Cy and I. Finn seemed to have taken the news well but there was something up. I decided to settle whatever it was, not wanting to leave him like this,or us like this; I may not be back for a while.

I assed by his room but he wasn't in bed so I decided to check the roof of the cruiser. There was a balcony, like a turret, for aerial strikes. Finn was hunched over the railing with his head hung, very uncharacteristically. Half of my body out of the hatch I knocked on the metal roof. He turned, clearly not expecting someone to be up here.

"Sorry, I just...wanted to talk." I climbed out of the opening and walked towards him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"Don't lie to me."

"You did."

"I-" I sighed. "I kept a secret but I didn't lie. I wouldn't lie to any of you, I haven't, and I especially wouldn't lie to you."

"Really?" I tilted my head and furrowed my eyebrows. It wasn't like Finn to doubt me.

"Of course." I said. "Why do you doubt me? Tell me what's bothering you. I don't want you thinking something bad about me." Having misconstrued notions about me was a button of mine and he still hadn't answered.

"...Did you and Aerrow kiss the other night?"

"What?"

"You two were talking in the balcony at the bow and he stepped infront of you and-"

"Ew, no!" I laughed. "No way that'd ever happen; he's with Piper and my brother."

"Really?" Now he donned his usual grin.

"Yeah, of course not. Were you...jealouse?"

"...a bit." He admitted. I pinched his flushed cheeks.

"Silly goose." Looks like I can never admit I did have a crush on Aerrow before. "Was that it?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Well I've gotta get going-"

"Look! A shooting star!" I looked up but I was too late.

"Starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight." I looked back and he was looking right at me. "I wish I may, I wish I might make the wish I wish tonight. I wish to not lose you in this fight, I wish to make you officially mine tonight. And if we survive the war in a fortnight, I hope to ask you to spend every night with me. I tried to make it rhyme." I stared back with my mouth open.

"...Uh... "

"You don't have to accept to the second part but I hope you'll be my girlfriend..."

"I, uh, I don't think I can. It's not that I don't want to, I do, but right now we have work to do."

"It doesn't get in the way? Unless you don't want to?"

"No it's not that! I do, I'm estatic you asked. I guess you're right; sorry I ruined it for you." He pulled me into a tight hug which literally allowed no room between us.

"You didn't. You're awkward, I think it's cute." I blushed.

"You're too confident. I like that too."

"So the Finnster isn't afraid of commitment you womanizer?" I teased.

"Sorry."

"Don't worry. You didn't have a chance anyway."

"Hey," I smiled.

"I'll see you soon." I said as I mounted my bike.

"You better." With a so-long kiss I took off.

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