Chapter 4: Wrong Associations

I…had some trouble writing today. Actually for the past month, I couldn't bring myself to even talk about what's happened. Because of what I did, I was driven in too deep, and now I must suffer the consequences. To understand what I mean I must talk about the confusion with Thunder Hawk.

The monitor had been turned off. There I stood with watery eyes and a ton of imaginary worry warts on my face. Tornado had already left and all I could do to contain myself was to keep asking questions.

"Don't take it so seriously, Wave. We're not bad guys," Assured Jet.

"How can you say that? From what I can tell you intend on getting the Treasure of the Babylons by any means! That's a crime against our ancestors!"

"Yeah, so what? Not like they did anything good for us," Storm started to buck up to me. "If it wasn't for them we wouldn't even be down here!"

"That's not even what it's all about Storm and you know it." Jet added.

My patience was getting thinner by the second. Alone against these thieves, I was the only one who could stop them from causing disaster. But even then I still didn't stand a chance for I was outnumbered. I wished my father was there.

"Okay Jet…why don't you let me in on your secret?" I inquired.

"It's no secret. Everyone in this area knows our problem and why we have to go this far. Because of my mom we're forced to this kind of life. She's not well."

There was no point in me glancing at her. All I had to do was listen and I knew he was telling the truth. Coughing and wheezing, spit flying out, all the signs of illness. Jet spoke again.

"When we took her to the doctor they said she had a virus that was unheard of, and because of that there was no way to give her medicine or cure her. My dad figured that with the Treasure of the Babylons he could find the cure and hopefully prevent it from spreading to others."

Surprised by this I was still concerned as to why they had to go to such extremes. "If that's all you want it for then why don't you explain yourselves to my people?"

After another cough, Rayne Hawk stated, "We tried about 5 times before but your King wouldn't hear of it. He thought that we shouldn't spare my life at the cost of others by the wrath of the Guardian."

Disbelief shrouded me. Our benevolent king couldn't stand to save her life? This was unforgivable! "But then why do you decide to steal? Are you sure about what the Treasure really is?"

Not one of them answered. Since my father told me so much about it I decided to share my knowledge. Soon they began to question their mission. Anxiously Jet paced back and forth across the carpet. Storm scratched his head and Mrs. Hawk sat down while holding a wing to her chest.

"This has gotten too complicated," heaved Rayne, "maybe we should call your father and-"

"No ma! I don't want to! Dad can do this and he's gonna do it!" yelled Jet.

He wasenraged and began stomping the floor with his red shoes. To cause more noise Storm pounded his fists into the wall making thick dents.

"They better get this done! I wanna be like a normal kid again!" He kept hitting the wall until Jet's mom grabbed hold of him.

"Stop that! I understand your concerns for me but I'm starting to think that-"

Cutting her off was an ear-splitting buzzing sound coming from outside the building. Fearful expressions covered the faces of the three.

"Come on! We have to move quickly!" shouted Rayne while racing up a fleet of stairs.

Having no clue what was going on, I followed.

The highest part of the building had in it the office of Thunder Hawk and a bunch of collective items scattered within it. Rayne didn't hesitate in what she wanted to get. She reached for the case with two lengthy green feathers inside and handed it to Jet. He stared at them and then at his mom.

"Listen carefully, Jet. The worst is about to happen to this place as well as Babylon and as told by your father I give you these. They are the Babylonian Wings meant to control the wind circling the user. Also if used properly they can become weapons and cause serious damage. These now belong to you."

He remained speechless as she went around the room opening hidden doors and taking out Extreme Gear. Without emotion she pushed us into a dreary room with a hanger and a giant blimp dangling from it.

"Mom, don't tell me we're leaving the city!" Jet cried.

"Not I…you three must leave this place before the natives come. It's my fault all of this is happening anyway."

Jet grabbed hold of her and shook furiously. "You can't stay here! I won't let you!"

She pulled out of his grasp. "Please Jet don't make this harder than it is. I knew from the start the natives wouldn't agree to your father's request and now he's fighting them. That fight will come here and endanger the city and you cannot risk your life. Eventually you shall become the Legendary Wind Master."

"Wind Master?" I wondered, never hearing such a thing.

"No time to explain. Ebony!" she called.

From behind the blimp's cast shadow a bird sauntered out. She was a vulture and looked about old enough to be my grandma! Her eyes were baggy with fatigue and she had a hunchback. Not the most pleasant appearance.

"Is it that time already Miss Rayne?" she asked.

The hawk nodded and pushed us all into the cockpit of the blimp. Though he tried his best to hide it, I could see tears starting to form in Jet's eyes. Even Storm was beginning to break down and so was I.

"Behave yourselves…especially you Jet."

It was the last time a heard her voice; the last time anyone heard her voice. Jet pounded the door violently for several minutes before Ebony launched us out of the hanger. He fell back onto Storm and they both burned red with rage.

"I suggest you three hold onto something. It may be slow but in a little bit things are going to get shaky."

None of us saw what came next. Through the windows of the blimp we witnessed not one but two fiery explosions at the same time. I knew where they came from and for some strange reason I didn't cry. It was tearing me up inside but maybe watching those two bawl like hatchlings was torture in itself. Then I thought about what it would be like if I hadn't met these two or left Babylon then I'd…be just like my mom and dad. No matter what the outcome someone had to pay the price and it was our parents who died. All because of some stupid treasure…

Note: Thanks to all those who are reviewing and loving this story. I sure love writing it!