Chapter 11: Happy Birthday, Aria!

(Intro)

It's an early morning on the Condor. All of the Storm Hawks were up early, except Aria who was still asleep. They gathered at the bridge. "Okay, Storm Hawks. Today is a very special day. Today is Aria's 13th birthday." Aerrow said. The Storm Hawks all muttered and chattered about this. "Now I have a plan for Aria's birthday party. I want it to be perfect and make it the best 13th birthday of her life. That's why I've given each of you assignments." Aerrow explained. "Piper, Skyla, Sky, Rigg, Junko and Judy, you guys decorate the bridge with party decorations. Finn, Radarr, Mimi, Stork and Lavender, you guys bake a birthday cake." "What's your assignment, Aerrow?" Skyler asked. "I'm gonna distract Aria while you guys prepare her birthday surprise." Aerrow said. "Okay, but how are you gonna distract her without her finding out about the surprise?" Skyler asked. Aerrow started to think for a moment until he thought of something. "Actually Skyler, I want you to take Aria out to Terra Moonhill. A bit of time with you should distract her from our surprise." He said. Skyler understood with a nod.

Just then, Aria came up to the bridge, yawning while waking up. "Morning, everyone." She greeted. "Morning, Aria." The Storm Hawks greeted, acting innocent. "What were you guys talking about?" Aria asked. "We…were just discussing for the upcoming missions." Aerrow lied. "Without me?" Aria asked in confusion. "Actually, Aria, I was wondering if you'd like to come with me to Terra Moonhill." Skyler said. "Why are we going there?" Aria asked. "We're gonna do a little sightseeing." Skyler said as he gently took Aria's hand and led her to the hanger. He then turned and winked at Aerrow, who winked back. Once they were gone, Aerrow turned back to the Storm Hawks. "Alright, Storm Hawks, let's start prepping up this surprise party." He said as the Storm Hawks begin the preparations of the surprise party.

15 minutes later, Aria and Skyler had arrived on Terra Moonhill. They parked their skimmers near the entrance and entered the town square. "So, what are we gonna do now, Skyler?" Aria asked. Skyler started to think for a minute. Then he glanced over to a nearby café called the Moonhill Café. "How about we have some breakfast over at that café?" He suggested. "Good idea. I am getting a bit hungry." Aria said. They walked into the café and sat down at a table. A married couple walked right up to them. "Welcome to the Moonhill Café. I'm Mary Jeffese and this is my husband, Carmine." The woman, Mary, introduced. "Nice to meet you. I'm Aria and this is Skyler Stormheart." Aria introduced. "Do you 2 work here?" Skyler asked. "Oh, we don't just work here. We own this café." Carmine said. "Really?" Aria asked. "Yep. We opened it after our honeymoon." Mary said. "You know, you 2 make an adorable couple yourselves." Carmine said. Aria and Skyler felt embarrassed by that comment, blushing a bit.

Meanwhile, back on the Condor, the Storm Hawks were setting everything up for Aria's surprise party. Piper, Skyla, Sky and Riggorix were setting up streamers and confetti. Junko and Judy were blowing up balloons. "Nice work, everyone. The bridge is looking really festive." Aerrow said as he oversaw the preparations. "Yep. We're going to make this the best birthday Aria's ever had." Piper said as she wrapped on another streamer. Aerrow walked into the kitchen where the others were working on the cake. Finn, Radarr, Mimi and Lavender were pouring the ingredients in the bowl while Stork read the recipe and stirred the ingredients. "How's the cake coming?" Aerrow asked. Stork took a finger scoop of the cake batter and tasted it. "A couple more teaspoons of vanilla and we should be good to go." He said. "Great work, Stork. Aria is going to be so happy we threw her this party." Aerrow said. "I wonder how she and Skyler are doing right now?"

Later, after having a nice full course meal, they left the café. "So, where do you want to go next, Skyler?" Aria asked. Suddenly, before Skyler could answer, they heard a child crying from nearby. They looked over to see a little girl crying by the fountain. Out of concern, Aria and Skyler walked up to the little girl. "Hey there. What's wrong?" Aria asked. "I…I'm lost! I can't find my mommy and daddy!" The little girl sobbed. Skyler brought the girl into a comforting hug. "There, there. It's okay. It's gonna be okay. We'll help you find your parents." He said. The little girl was happy to hear that. "What's your name?" Aria asked gently. "Maya." The little girl, Maya, said. "Okay. Where do we start looking for Maya's parents?" Skyler asked. Aria started to think for a moment. Then she came up with an idea. "Maya, do you have anything that belonged to your parents?" She asked. "I…I have this." Maya said, pulling out a handkerchief. "It's my mommy's. She used it to wipe ice cream from my mouth." Aria took the handkerchief and started using her mana powers to track down Maya's mother with her eyes glowing pale pink. "What is she doing? Why are her eyes all glow-y?" Maya asked, noticing Aria's eyes glowing. "She has mana powers and she's using them to find your mom through the handkerchief." Skyler explained. Maya was in awe to hear this.

Aria continued to focus her powers to search for Maya's mother. She started to see a vision, seeing every location on Terra Moonhill. Just then, she saw a couple looking for someone. "Maya!" The woman called. Aria deduced that the couple was Maya's parents as she stopped using her powers. "I found them." She said.

Aria and Skyler led Maya to the location where her parents were looking for her. "Where are they? Where are my mommy and daddy?" Maya asked eagerly. "Maya!" A woman's voice called. "I believe they're right there." Aria said, pointing to a couple over by a set of cabanas. "Mommy! Daddy!" Maya cried, running over to her parents, who brought her into a tight emotional hug. Aria and Skyler watched with emotional smiles at the family reunion. The parents then walked up to them. "Thank you for bringing our daughter back to us." The mother said, thanking them. "It was our pleasure." Aria said. As the parents walked away, Maya waved goodbye to Aria and Skyler, which they waved back. Just then, Skyler received a radio call. "Skyler, head back to the Condor with Aria. It's time." Aerrow called. "Aria, it's time to head back to the Condor." Skyler said.

Soon, Skyler and Aria arrived back on the Condor, parking their skimmers in the hanger. "Aria, please close your eyes." Skyler said. "Why?" Aria asked, confused. "There's a bit of a surprise on the bridge." Skyler said. Aria got very curious about this surprise. So, she closed her eyes as Skyler gently took her hand, guiding her towards the bridge. "Man, Aria is gonna freak out when she sees this." She heard Finn whisper. "Shh! Quiet, Finn!" Piper whispered. "Okay, Aria, you ready to open your eyes on the count of 3?" Skyler asked. "Yes." Aria said. "Okay." Skyler said as he started counting slowly. "1…2…3! Open your eyes!" As Aria opened her eyes, she was greeted by her brother and friends. "Surprise!" Everyone yelled. Aria was stunned by this, seeing party decorations set up all over the bridge. She realized that her brother and friends set up a birthday party for her. "So, what do you think of the surprise we set up for you, sis?" Aerrow asked. Aria couldn't even find the words. Instead, she had a big smile with tears falling down her cheeks. Then she brought Aerrow into a tight hug. "Thank you! This is the best birthday I've ever had!" She cried. Aerrow hugged her back. Everyone then celebrated Aria's birthday by partying and eating cake. This really was the best birthday of Aria's life as a Storm Hawk.

Well, how'd you guys like this for an original chapter? Aerrow and the Storm Hawks prepared a surprise party for Aria while Skyler took her on a date and helped out a lost little girl in the process. Will Aria and Skyler become a couple? Will there be other birthday adventures for the Storm Hawks? Leave a review if you want.

Special thanks to FoxyKhai0209 for Terra Moonhill.