Chapter 9: Life of a Merb
(Intro)
Stork was piloting the Condor through the skies. But he got distracted. He looked at a photo of a female Merb with lavender hair next to him, sighing deeply. Due to this distraction, he didn't see a mountain coming up. Radarr noticed it. "LOOK OUT!" He yelled. Stork snapped out of his distraction and saw the mountain. He quickly steered the Condor away from the mountain before it could collide into it. "Okay, what's going on with you?! This is the 8th time you've nearly crashed the Condor into something, Stork!" Finn complained. Aria walked up to Stork. "What's wrong, Stork?" She asked. "It's none of your business…" Stork said until he glanced over at the picture. Aria followed and saw the picture of the female Merb. "Who is she?" She asked. Before Stork could answer, Judy butted in. "She's Stork's lover." She said, causing Stork to shock himself with his electric powers. "How did you know?" Stork asked. "It was obvious because you kept glancing at that picture and got distracted because of it." Judy said with a shrug.
"What's the Merb girl's name?" Aerrow asked out of curiosity. "Her…name is…Lavender." Stork said hesitantly. "Name fits regarding her hair color." Piper said. "Stork, do you miss Lavender? Is that why you're so distracted lately?" Junko asked. "No! No, of course not." Stork said, quickly denying it. But then he started to feel that he misses her since he hasn't seen her for a long time since he spent most of his life in the Wastelands until he found the Condor. "Stork, you should go see her. That should perk you right up." Judy said. Stork was hesitant at first, but after thinking about it for a while, he really, really wanted to see Lavender again. "Very well. We'll go see Lavender on my home terra, Terra Merbia." Stork said. "But just to warn you, Lavender is different from the rest of my kind." He nervously said. The Storm Hawks were confused about what he meant as he coordinated the Condor to Terra Merbia.
Meanwhile, in Cyclonia, Master Cyclonis was setting Repton and his Raptors up with an assignment. "You're sending us to Terra Merbia?" Repton asked with interest. "Yes. The Storm Hawks will come to help those pathetic Merbs. And when they do…you will steal the Heart of Atmos from them the first chance you get." Master Cyclonis instructed. "Understood, Master Cyclonis." Repton said, bowing to Master Cyclonis before leaving with his Raptors.
Meanwhile, the Condor had just arrived on Terra Merbia. After landing, Stork began leading the Storm Hawks through his home village towards Lavender's house. As they walked, the Storm Hawks looked around, noticing that the Merbs were all a little…skittish as they worked. "They're afraid of us." Riggorix said. "Of course, they are. We Merbs are a very precautious bunch. Extremely precautious of every single possible danger in the entire Atmos that could kill us all." Stork explained. "So, in other words, they're just as paranoid as you are." Finn guessed. "More or less." Stork said. "I knew it." Finn muttered.
After a while, Stork brought his team to his lover's house. "This is her house. When I was younger, it looked bigger." He said. Then he hesitantly walked up to the house and rang the doorbell. "Coming!" A female voice called from inside. And then the door opened, revealing a female Merb with lavender hair. "Think that might be Lavender?" Finn asked in a whisper. "Stork?! No way! Is that really you?! It's been years!" Lavender exclaimed excitedly, bringing Stork into a big hug. The Storm Hawks were shocked by her sudden action. "Uh, she does not act like the other Merbs." Finn said. Lavender then noticed the team. "Oh, you must be Stork's friends." She guessed.
Lavender brought the team inside and served them refreshments. "Now I know what you're about to ask me. Why do I act differently than the other Merbs? Well, it all started 10 years ago when Stork and I were just kids." She started to explain. "Stork and I were wandering in the woods near our village. But just then, we were attacked by a pack of wolves. Their alpha was gonna attack Stork because he was very frightened. But I whacked the alpha in the head with a branch away from Stork and yelled at it and its pack to go away. The wolves fled and, in the process, I gained an 'unusual' personality that no Merb has ever gained to do." The Storm Hawks were amazed at Lavender's action in protecting Stork when they were children. "Although, my parents said that they were worried about what the other Merbs would think of me. That they'd think I've been infected by some ridiculous disease or something because most of the other Merbs are so paranoid." Lavender explained. Stork looked at her with sadness. He didn't think she was diseased. He thought she was really brave. Something he wished he was more than anything.
Just then, there was a scream coming from outside. Sky looked out the window and saw the Merbs running for their lives. Then he saw Cyclonians attacking the terra. "Cyclonians! They're attacking!" He exclaimed. The Storm Hawks and Lavender all rushed out of the house to see the Cyclonians attacking the whole village. Then they saw that Repton and the Raptors were leading them. "Burn it! Burn everything! We must draw the Storm Hawks to the terra!" Repton ordered. "Look no further, Repton! We're already here!" Aria called, getting the Raptor leader's attention. "What're you doing here, Repton?" Aerrow demanded. "I was sent here by Master Cyclonis for one thing. The Heart of Atmos. Now hand it over." Repton said. "You're not gonna get the Heart, Repton. Not without a fight." Aerrow said as he pulled off his scarf, revealing the Heart of Atmos. "Skylight Unite!" He shouted as the Heart glowed brightly, blinding the Raptors and the Cyclonians. And then the Storm Hawks, except Judy, transformed into the Skylight Guardians. Lavender was surprised to see Stork in his human form. "Judy, Lavender, get all the Merbs to safety. We'll handle the Raptors and Cyclonians." Aerrow said. "We're on it, Aerrow." Judy said as she and Lavender started leading the Merbs away from the battle. Aerrow turned to face a group of Talons led by the strongman Raptor, Hoerk, charging towards them. He motioned his hands and created a strong force of wind, blowing Hoerk and the Talons away.
Meanwhile, as Judy and Lavender led the Merbs away, another group of Talons block their way, Energy Staffs ready. The Merbs cowered behind Lavender and Judy. "Listen to me! Your fear and cowardice are making you all helpless and useless as you are misguided! I act this way because I overcame my fear and cowardice to save my friend Stork!" Lavender exclaimed as she snapped. The Merbs were shocked by her snap. They started murmuring to themselves, thinking about what she said.
Just then, the Talons started their attack. "Lavender, we gotta hold them off!" Judy called, activating her Fist Busters. Lavender kicked up a pitchfork and joined her in the fight. The Merbs watched as the fearless female Merb fight against the Talons. Then they felt a feeling deep within them. One of the Merbs up front looked down at a wooden club on the ground. Then he picked it up and decided that it was time. Judy and Lavender fought as hard as they could, but the Talons just kept coming. As the Talons now surrounded Judy and Lavender, suddenly, a pot hit one of them on the head, knocking him out. Judy and Lavender turned to see the Merbs charging towards the Talons with their own weapons, from pitchforks to clubs. The Merbs started attacking the Talons, clashing weapons and knocking them down.
The Skylight Guardians, especially Stork, noticed this and were shocked to see the Merbs actually fighting back against the Cyclonians without fear or running away like cowards. "Well, I am actually…impressed." Stork said. "Start driving them back!" Aerrow called. After snapping out of their shock, the Skylight Guardians continued to fight the Cyclonians with the Merbs' help. Aria fired her mana blasts, knocking down several Cyclonians. Finn created his light bow in his hand, drew back the string, created 3 light arrows and fired them at the Raptors, knocking them out.
Meanwhile, Lavender helped the Merbs drive the Cyclonians back to their skimmers. Suddenly, an Energy Boomerang was tossed passed her. She looked as the Boomerang returned to its owner, Repton. "So, you're the fearless Merb. I have to say, I'm disappointed." Repton said. "Is that right? Then let's see if I can change that!" Lavender exclaimed, lunging her pitchfork at the Raptor leader. But Repton blocked it with his Boomerang. As they clashed weapons, Repton obviously got the upper hand. He gave one mighty swipe and swatted Lavender's pitchfork out of her hands and kicked her down. Stork saw this and gasped in horror as Repton loomed over Lavender. "And now to put an end to this bravery nonsense." Repton said, raising his Boomerang and preparing to kill Lavender. "NO!" Stork shouted, firing a powerful lightning beam, shocking Repton and knocking him out. Stork calmed down and rushed over to his lover to check on her. "Are you alright, Lavender?" He asked worriedly. "Yes, my love. Thank you for saving me from Repton." Lavender said. "Then I guess we're even from when you saved me from those wolves when we were kids." Stork said. Lavender chuckled at that.
Stork looked back at the fight. He tried to come up with an idea as Merbs continued clashing with the Cyclonians. Piper fired a barrage of diamonds from her hand, knocking several Talons down. Skyler made a few Energy Staffs heat up in the Talons' hands, making them toss them down after burning their hands. Just then, Stork got an idea. "Lavender, tell the rest of our people to get to the bunker that shelters us from heavy thunderstorms." He said. "Why?" Lavender asked. "I'm going to bring in a thunderstorm." Stork said. Lavender nodded, knowing what her lover was thinking. "Merbs! Take cover in the storm bunker now!" She called. The Merbs heard her call and quickly made their way for the storm bunker. "Stork!" Aerrow called as he and the other Skylight Guardians regrouped with Stork. "Aerrow, you and the others go with them. Take cover in the bunker." Stork said. "Why?" Aerrow asked. "I'm gonna drive these Cyclonians off my home terra with a little lightning." Stork said. Aerrow saw a familiar look in Stork's eyes. He knew what his Merb friend was planning. "Skylight Guardians, take cover in the bunker with the other Merbs." He said. The Skylight Guardians followed his command and followed the Merbs into the bunker with Judy and Lavender leading them. "Be careful, Stork." Aerrow said before joining the rest of the team, leaving Stork to confront the Cyclonians alone.
Repton, having recovered from Stork's lightning attack, chuckled mockingly. "Are you really serious if you can take down all of us?" He asked mockingly. "Yes…I am very serious." Stork said in a cold tone. Just then, a rumbling sound could be heard from the sky. Repton, his Raptors and the Talons looked to the sky to see a huge dark cloud looming over the terra with flashing lights of lightning, along with a loud rumbling sound. "Boss, I think I just figured out what that Merb is planning!" One of the Raptors, Spitz, said fearfully, much to Repton's own fear. Suddenly, several lightning strikes began to shower on the terra, hitting the Cyclonians, Repton and the Raptors, electrocuting them. As the lightning strikes continue hitting the Cyclonians, Repton saw that there was no way to win. "Retreat! We can't handle the thunderstorm!" He yelled. The Cyclonians retreated to their skimmers out of fear, having suffered a lot from being electrocuted and took off into the air.
As soon as they were gone, Stork motioned his hands and made the thunderstorm disappear, leaving his home terra with a clear sky. The Skylight Guardians, Judy, Lavender and the Merbs came out of the bunker and saw what Stork had done. He drove all the Cyclonians out of Terra Merbia with a huge thunderstorm. Aerrow and the other Skylight Guardians were amazed at Stork's shocking idea, and yet, scary at the same time. But they knew he did well in using his lightning powers.
The Merbs looked around their home terra. The Cyclonians' invasion and fighting them left the whole terra heavily damaged. "It's okay, Merbs. I have a way to restore your terra." Aerrow said, holding up the Heart of Atmos. The Heart began to glow and the terra was restored in a few seconds. The Merbs were actually happy as they looked on at their home terra. It was like the invasion never even happened.
As the Skylight Guardians transformed back into the Storm Hawks, the Merbs gathered around them and cheered on their victory for protecting their home. Just then, Lavender's father, Duke Venture, walked up to the Storm Hawks. "Duke Venture! It's been a long time." Stork said, greeting his lover's father. "Indeed, Stork. I wish to thank you and your team for saving us and our terra from the Cyclonians." Duke Venture said. "And because of that, we Merbs have decided to form our own Sky Knight squadron as you inspire us. Our squad will be known as the Brave Hearts." "Thank you, Duke Venture. We always welcome the help when we need it." Aerrow said, shaking Duke Venture's hand. Lavender walked up to Stork. "I'm very happy for your heroics saving my life from Repton, Stork." Lavender said. Stork felt embarrassed by that. "Well, I did it so I could protect you from Repton. And because…I love you." He said. All of a sudden, Lavender kissed Stork on the lips, much to his shock. But he accepted it and kissed her back, showing that he truly loves her. Everyone watched the romantic moment between the 2 young Merbs.
Later, the Storm Hawks prepared the Condor to leave. Just then, Finn noticed that Stork wasn't with them. "Hey, where's Stork?" He asked. "He said he and Lavender needed to take care of something before leaving." Aerrow said. "But what is it that he wanted to take care of?" Riggorix asked. "Maybe it has to do with Lavender wearing one of our uniforms." Junko said. The Storm Hawks turned to see Stork and Lavender walked up to the Condor. And Lavender was wearing a Storm Hawk uniform. "Stork, what is all this?" Piper asked. "Lavender's coming with us." Stork said. "What?!" Everyone asked in shock. "Yep. I really had a blast helping you guys fight of the Cyclonians. So, we talked to my parents and they accepted my choice. They wanted me to have an adventure with you guys and stop Cyclonia from terrorizing the rest of the Atmos." Lavender explained. The Storm Hawks all looked at each other with a smile before turning back to the 2 Merbs. "Then we welcome you to the Storm Hawks, Lavender." Aerrow said, holding out his hand. Lavender accepted it and shook it.
Meanwhile, back on Cyclonia, the Raptors reported back to Master Cyclonis. "I…I'm sorry, Master Cyclonis. We…We've failed to steal the Heart of Atmos for you. Even worse. The Merbs have learned to…fight for themselves." Repton reported. Master Cyclonis was displeased to hear this. "Leave my presence until I summon you!" She ordered. The Raptors turned and ran with their tails between their legs. She hissed as she turned back to her machine. "You were lucky today, Storm Hawks. Next time, you will fall and the Heart of Atmos will be mine!" She mumbled as she continued her work.
Wow! Wasn't that interesting? Stork brings the Storm Hawks to his home terra to meet his brave lover, Lavender. But Cyclonis has sent Repton and his Raptors to the terra to try and steal the Heart of Atmos. But with help and encouragement from Lavender, the Merbs have gained the courage to help the Skylight Guardians fight off the Cyclonians. And Stork even managed to scare the Raptors and Cyclonians off the terra. And now, Lavender has joined the Storm Hawks on their quest. But Cyclonis swears that the Heart of Atmos will be hers someday. What other adventures await the Storm Hawks? Will Judy and Lavender get Skylight Guardian powers of their own one day? Leave a review if you want.