Chapter 14: Heart Loss
(Intro)
Aerrow and Radarr flew on their skimmer across the clear blue sky as they were being chased by the Cyclonians, led by Ravess, Isis and Lilias on orders from Master Cyclonis to take the Heart of Atmos from its keeper. "Don't let him escape! Get that Heart!" Ravess ordered. "Guys, I could use some backup! It's getting pretty hairy up here!" Aerrow called on his radio as he dodged energy blasts from the Cyclonians. "Hang on, Aerrow! We're on our way!" Piper called through the com-link. Suddenly, Aerrow nearly got hit by one of Ravess' arrows. In respond, he released a powerful wind current. The wind current caused the Cyclonians to lose control of their skimmers. Ravess, Iris, and Lilias managed to regain control of their skimmers, but some of the Talons were unfortunate as they ended up crashing into each other. "Ha-ha! They never learn. They'll never catch us." Aerrow said. "Uh, Aerrow?" Radarr said, pointing ahead of them. Aerrow looked and saw another group of Talons in his way. Suddenly, the Talons got struck by several lightning strikes, electrocuting them. Aerrow and Radarr looked and saw that the Condor had just arrived.
The rest of the Storm Hawks join their leader in the air to aid him. Piper and Skyla combined their powers and created a petal storm with crystals, dealing a lot of damage to the Talons and their skimmers. Riggorix created several tiny metal balls and Skyler coated them in fire. Riggorix then fired them at the Talons, burning them and damaging their skimmers. Junko tossed plasma balls at the Talons. Finn fired his light arrows at the Talons, shattering their skimmers. Sky fired jets of water from his hands at the Talons. Stork fired multiple bolts of lightning from his hands, electrocuting the Talons. Aria conjured mana disks in her hands and tossed them at the Talons' skimmers, slicing off their wings and causing them to fall.
As the Storm Hawks continue to fight the Talons, Aerrow decided to take things up a notch. He removed his scarf and unveiled the Heart of Atmos. "Get ready, team!" He called. But before he could even start saying the magic words, Ravess shot one of her arrows at the Heart, knocking it off his neck. "No! The Heart!" Aerrow exclaimed with worry. He tried to get it back, but more Talons swarmed him with energy blasts. He could only watch as the Heart continues to fall into the Wastelands. He slowly turned his head and looked angrily at the Cyclonians. "Oh dear." Radarr muttered before ducking down into his co-pilot seat. Aerrow gave a loud yell and motioned his hand. "What's he doing?" Lilias asked. Suddenly, the air around the Cyclonians began swirling rapidly, creating a huge tornado. "Oh no." Ravess groaned before she, Isis, Lilias and the Talons were blown away.
After landing their rides back in the hanger on the Condor, Piper and the others walked up to Aerrow, who was still sulking from losing the Heart of Atmos. "Wow, Aerrow. That was a wild ride, sending the Cyclonians away with one blow." She said. But then she noticed that the Heart of Atmos wasn't around Aerrow's neck. "Uh, Aerrow, where's the Heart of Atmos?" She asked. "It's lost in the Wastelands. Ravess knocked it loose before I could change us into the Skylight Guardians." Aerrow said. The others gasped at this. "Without the Heart, we can't become the Skylight Guardians." Skyla said with worry. "That's why I have to say this. Team, we have a serious mission: to go into the Wastelands and retrieve the Heart." Aerrow said. The Storm Hawks stood ready.
Later, upon arriving in the Wastelands, Stork landed the Condor in a spot where the inhabitant creatures couldn't find it. After disembarking the Condor, Aerrow assembled the team. "Alright, team, we're about to head out and find the Heart of Atmos. But since I don't know where the Heart landed, we'll need to split up and search every part of the Wastelands. Aria, Piper and the Stormheart Triplets, you're with me. Finn, Junko, Stork and Rigg, you're a team. And Starling, you're with Judy and Lavender. Radarr and Mimi will join you too." He said, assigning the teams. "What?! You're sending me…with another team?!" Radarr asked in shock. "Yeah, why? What's the problem?" Aerrow asked. "But I always go with you. I'm your co-pilot. We're practically brothers. Mimi and Aria are pretty much the same." Radarr said. "I don't know. I think Mimi likes being on a different group." Aria said. Mimi was perched on Starling's shoulder. Starling chuckled as Mimi nuzzled her cheek. "Besides, Radarr, you'll be fine without me for a little while." Aerrow assured. Radarr sighed in defeat before going to join his group. "You're right. I should get used to being with a different group." He said, climbing on Lavender's back. "Alright. Fenix and Sid, you 2 stay with the Condor in case it gets unwelcome visitors." Aerrow instructed. "We're on it, Aerrow." Sid said. "Yeah. No one's getting past us." Fenix said. "Alright, teams. Let's go Heart hunting." Aerrow said.
But as the groups split up, unknown to them, Ravess, Isis and Lilias were listening from afar. "Figures they'd be looking for their precious Heart of Atmos." Ravess said. "So, what's the plan, Rae-Rae?" Lilias asked. "We'll follow them. Once they find the Heart, we'll ambush them and steal it from them." Ravess said. "Very deceptive. I love it." Isis said. "Then let's get to it, Rae-Rae." Lilias said, pounding her fist in her hand. "Does she have to call me that?" Ravess asked, annoyed by Lilias' nickname for her. "It's her thing. It's best to get used to it." Isis said.
Meanwhile, Starling's group had just began their search. "Alright, keep your eyes open. The Heart must be around somewhere." Starling said. But as they searched, Radarr was deep in thought. "Something on your mind, Radarr?" Mimi asked. "Yeah. I just been thinking about if there's a chance of becoming a Skylight Guardian." Radarr said. "Really?" Mimi asked. "Well, yeah. I keep thinking about what kind of powers I'll get. Or what I'll look like as a Skylight Guardian." Radarr said. "You know, it's funny you should say that, Radarr." Starling said. "We've been wondering the same thing." Judy said. "Really?" Radarr asked. "Yeah. Let's talk about it while we continue looking for the Heart." Lavender said.
Meanwhile, Aerrow's group couldn't find any trace of the Heart of Atmos. "Nothing here." Piper said as she checked behind a boulder. "Not here either." Sky said as he checked near a cave. Suddenly, a pair of red eyes woke up in the cave. Sky turned and screamed in alarm as a huge pack of giant charcoal-black-furred felines called Wasteland Leopards. The leader of the pack gave a loud roar in Sky's face. "Okay! 2 words: mouth wash!" Sky exclaimed, firing a jet of water in the leopard's face, forcing it back. "Hang on, little bro! We got your back!" Skyla exclaimed, firing a storm of pebbles at the leopards. One of the leopards slashed at Aria, but she protected herself with a mana shield. "I could use some help here!" She called. "I got your back, Aria!" Skyler exclaimed, firing a jet of fire at the leopard, scaring it off. "Okay, time to put these beasts back to sleep." Aerrow said. He created a typhoon blast, blowing the entire pack back into the cave. "Nice shot, Aerrow. Now we just have to seal that cave." Aria said. "I'll lock them up." Piper said. She placed her hands on the ground and created several crystal pillars, sealing the Wasteland Leopards in their cave. "That should hold them, but not for long." She said. "She's right. Wasteland Leopards are incredibly strong." Aria said. "Strong enough to break through even crystal." Skyla added. "Then let's get going. We still have to find the Heart." Aerrow said.
Meanwhile, Riggorix's group wasn't having any luck finding the Heart either as they searched around a lava pool. "Man, finding the Heart of Atmos in the Wastelands is like finding a needle in a haystack." Finn said. "It's gotta be here somewhere. Keep looking." Riggorix said. Suddenly, a giant Living Lava Monster burst out from the lava pool, surprising Riggorix. "Rigg! Look out!" Junko cried. As the Lava Monster lunged for Riggorix, Stork threw a lightning bolt at it, electrocuting it and scaring it back into the lava pool. "Whew. Thanks, Stork. You saved my life." Riggorix said. "Don't mention it, Rigg." Stork said. "I gotta say, Stork, you're really getting the hang of your lightning powers." Junko said. "And to think that you weren't used to them when we first became Skylight Guardians." Finn said. "Well, to tell the truth, I'm really getting used to my new lightning powers as long as I don't shock myself and protect Lavender." Stork said. "Alright. Now that that little distraction is out of the way, let's get back to looking for the Heart." Riggorix said.
Meanwhile, Starling's group was still looking for the Heart of Atmos. But they haven't found it either. "I don't know, guys. We've looked everywhere for the Heart." Judy said. "But it must be around here somewhere." Starling said. Just then, Radarr caught glimpse of something shiny from a distance on a tall stone pillar. He took out a pair of binoculars and saw the Heart of Atmos hanging on the pillar above a pit of lava. "Guys! I found it!" He called as he led the group to the Heart's location. As they arrived there, Radarr climbed up the pillar and retrieved the Heart. "Nice work, Radarr." Lavender said as Radarr climbed back down. "Aerrow's gonna be so happy to have this back." Judy said. "Yeah, I know." Radarr said as he handed the Heart to Starling.
Suddenly, a bunch of arrows were shot around them and exploded. "What in Atmos was that?!" Starling asked in surprise. As the smoke cleared, Ravess, Isis, Lilias and a squad of Talons revealed themselves. "Cyclonians?! Again?!" Judy exclaimed in anger. "We figured you Storm Hawks would find the Heart eventually." Isis said. "Now be a bunch of good little children and hand it over." Lilias said. "Not on your life." Starling said as she got into a fighting stance. Judy, Lavender, Radarr and Mimi joined her. "So be it. Get the Heart!" Ravess ordered. The Talons charged for the Storm Hawks while Isis and Lilias walked towards them. Judy used her Wallop strength to knock down several of the Talons with a single punch. Lavender drew her Energy Blasters and started blasting several more Talons, stunning them. As 3 Talons tried to step on Mimi, Starling drew her Energy Nunchaku and whacked them across the heads, knocking them down. But then Ravess came in and tackled her. Radarr latched onto Isis and was pulling her hair. "Ouch! Get off me, you pesky rodent!" Isis exclaimed. "Hold still, Isis! I got him!" Lilias exclaimed as she prepared her Energy Club. Radarr leapt off Isis before Lilias swung her club, accidently hitting Isis in the head, much to her shock. As Radarr landed, he pulled out his radio. "Aerrow! Come in, Aerrow!" He called. "Radarr! What's going on?" Aerrow asked through his com-link. "Trouble! We managed to find the Heart of Atmos, but the Cyclonians ambushed us! We need backup, ASAP!" Radarr exclaimed. "Copy that, Radarr! We're on our way!" Aerrow called.
Starling and Ravess struggled over the Heart. "Give me the Heart this minute!" Ravess demanded. "Not gonna happen, Cyclonian!" Starling exclaimed. As they struggled, the Heart slipped out of their hands and started rolling towards the lava pit! "No!" Radarr cried as he went after it. He managed to leap towards the pit and grabbed it before it fell in. Suddenly, the Heart began to glow. As the glow grew brighter and brighter, it created a huge flash of light, blinding everyone. The light caught the attention of the other Storm Hawks, who were on their way towards the others. "What's that light?" Finn asked. "It looks like the light from the Heart." Aria said. "But what's going on?" Piper asked. Aerrow began to think.
Back at the lava pit, as the light died down, the Cyclonians looked back and were shocked at what they saw. Radarr, Mimi, Judy, Lavender and Starling had become Skylight Guardians! Radarr was turned into a young human boy around Aerrow's age. Mimi was also turned into a human as a young girl around Aria's age. Judy aged into an adult Wallop. Lavender remained the same age, but was also turned human. And Starling remained the same, but her hairstyle changed from her usual short and spikey into long twin braids. "I…I don't believe it! We've become Skylight Guardians!" Mimi exclaimed happily. "Wow! I am loving my new hair." Starling said as she played with her new braids. "So, this is what being human is like? I kinda like it." Lavender said, admiring her new human look. "But how is this possible?" Judy asked. "The Heart of Atmos must've sensed our determination to protect it…and then granted us Skylight Guardian status." Radarr said as he looked at the Heart of Atmos.
"5 more Skylight Guardians won't make a difference. Master Cyclonis will have the Heart of Atmos one way or another." Ravess said. The new Skylight Guardians took their stance. "You want it? Come and get it!" Radarr dared. The Talons charged at the Skylight Guardians with their Energy Staffs ready. "Alright, guys, let's see what we can do." Radarr said. They began fighting the Talons, knocking them down one by one. Radarr knocked down at least 3 Talons. But just then, another came at him with an Energy Axe. Startled, Radarr motioned his hand and suddenly, a brilliant blue dome surrounded him and the Talon. The Talon started moving slow, like he wasn't even moving. Radarr was amazed by this. He went around the Talon and kicked him in the back as the dome wore off. The Talon was stunned by this. "I have time powers? Awesome." Radarr said as he looked at his hands. Just then, the Talon and 4 of his pals lunged for Radarr. But Radarr clapped his hands and created another time dome, stopping the Talons in time and giving him time to move away. Once he was out of their reach, he snapped his fingers and resumed their attack, causing them to crash into each other.
Mimi found herself surrounded by 3 Talons aiming their staffs at her. Suddenly, as she raised her hands, she fired 2 jets of magma from them, melting the staffs. The lead Talon looked at his staff in shock before he and his pals retreated in fear. "Whoa. Magma powers? That is amazing." Mimi said as she looked at her hands.
Judy knocked down one Talon after another. But suddenly, Lilias came at her with her Energy Club. As she swung the club, Judy caught it in her hand. "You think yourself a Skylight Guardian?! Then where's your fancy power?!" Lilias asked tauntingly. Judy drew her fist back, not noticing that it was glowing turquoise, and punched Lilias with an energy boost, sending her flying into some rocks. Judy looked at her fist in surprise, seeing that it was glowing with energy. "Whoa. Now that's cool." She said.
Lavender continued blasting the Talons with her blasters. "Well, well, well. You got some slick sharpshooting skills…for a Merb." Isis said as she walked up. She used her chain blades to swat Lavender's blasters out of her hands. But then, as she tossed her left blade at Stork's beloved, Lavender's eyes glowed magenta as she held out her hand. And suddenly, the blade stopped in mid-air. "What?!" Isis exclaimed in shock. Even Lavender was impressed. "I have…psychic powers? That gives me an idea." She said. She used her new powers and redirected the blade back at Isis, tying her up with the chain.
Starling continued to use her nunchaku to knock down the remaining Talons. "Don't move!" Ravess exclaimed as she took aim at Starling with her arrow. Starling glared as she dropped her nunchaku and raised her hands. "Now, hand over the Heart." Ravess said. Suddenly, Starling saw her hands glowing with starlight. Getting an idea, she motioned her hands and fired a starlight energy beam, blowing a stunned Ravess to the ground. "Starlight powers. Now that is the coolest thing I could ever ask for." She said as she looked at her hands, glowing with starlight.
The Cyclonians recovered and looked in fear at the Skylight Guardians. "Retreat! Retreat!" Ravess exclaimed. The Cyclonians hurried back to their skimmers and took off. As soon as they left, the rest of the Storm Hawks arrived just in time to see them leave. They turned and saw in surprise that Radarr and the others were now Skylight Guardians. "What happened?" Aerrow asked. "Well, it's a long story." Radarr said. A while later, he explained everything. "Wow. You guys are lucky, driving off the Cyclonians. Things might've gotten worse if they had captured the Heart." Aria said. "Speaking of which." After Radarr and the others changed back to normal, he removed the Heart and presented it to Aerrow. "I think this belongs to you, Aerrow." He said. Aerrow smiled as he took the Heart and placed it back around his neck. "Well, I have a feeling that the Storm Hawks are about to get even stronger. Especially with 5 new Skylight Guardians on our side." He said. Radarr, Mimi, Judy, Lavender and Starling smiled proudly at that. "And that's good. Because we'll need to get stronger. That way, we'll be able to stop Cyclonis once and for all." Aerrow said. The Storm Hawks nodded in agreement with their leader before heading back to the Condor with their mission a success. The Heart glowed midnight blue as it was back where it belongs.
Meanwhile, back at Cyclonia, Master Cyclonis was frustrated that Ravess, Isis and Lilias had reported their mission to steal the Heart a failure. More especially when they said that there were 5 new Skylight Guardians now. "I will have the Heart of Atmos! Whether their forces are 15 or 1500, I will have all of Atmos!" She exclaimed.
Wow! Wasn't that awesome?! Aerrow loses the Heart of Atmos in the Wastelands during an attack by the Cyclonians and organizes a search for it. And upon finding it, the Heart granted new Skylight Guardian powers to Radarr, Mimi, Judy, Lavender and Starling. With their new powers, they managed to defeat the Cyclonians and send them flying back to Master Cyclonis. Will there be other Skylight Guardians? Does the Heart possess any other secrets? Leave a review if you'd like.
AN: For you readers. I'm leaving for a few days. So, I won't be able to post anymore chapters until I come home. Thank you if you understand. See you all next week.