It is about fucking time I arrived at this part of the story.

I don't own Storm Hawks

OoO.

Finn said, utterly vexed, "...Dude, what...?"

Piper muttered, her face lined with confusion, "I don't believe this."

Junko asked gingerly, "What does this mean?"

And Aerrow, still breathless, said, "... Dark Ace?"

That was him. That was definitely him. It was hard to recognise him, at this angle, with him looking so helpless, and out of uniform. But that was him lying there unconscious, Aerrow knew it to be true, he'd spent months alone with that man.

Oh god, it was Dark Ace. How was this happening? Aerrow dropped from his seat onto the crumbling rocky floor, dust sweeping up from the surface around his feet when he landed.

It was very odd, to say the least, to watch their beloved leader suddenly leap from his ride and race towards the man he hated. They were baffled before, but after seeing that, there was not a single thought in their heads that could explain such a sight.

When he was close enough to the body, Aerrow suddenly dropped to his knees and skidded beside the Dark Ace.

Yes. He was right. It was him. How was he supposed to cope with this? The second he'd gotten beside him, his hands were on him, checking for a pulse, eyes locked on his chest, watching for any signs of life. After such disappointing results last time, and of course the numerous nightmares he'd seen of this man's return, he could not expect him to be alive.

Even with his quivering fingers pressed against his neck, the pulse there and pumping hard, even though he could see quite clearly that his chest was rising, even though he could literally hear his hoarse breath. It still could not be real. He'd spent the last month and a half accepting that this sort of thing was not acceptable in the real world. Any minute now the fantasy would disappear, reality would settle back in, the pulse and breath were all just his imagination. Hell, this probably wasn't even Dark Ace's body, probably just some stranger.

Any second now.

This was his fifth time checking for a heart beat, by now Piper had landed too, wondering what the delay was and why he hadn't given them any signals. It was still there, the beating, the breathing, his face, his hair, that massive scar across his chest that he'd looked at so many times during the night. No fucking way.

What? How? Why? When? And who? All just sped around his head in a tight circle. It was a disaster in his mind right now, as he tried to adjust to the fact that this was not some malice trick he was playing on himself again.

He swivelled on his behind, and faced away from the body, needing a moment to stop looking at this impossible truth. His face fell into his hand, too overjoyed, a wide smile stretched from cheek to cheek. He was chuckling to himself, laughing at this miracle, ridiculously thankful for it.

Finn and Junko were behind Piper now, the three of them just watching him laughing. It was a little disturbing.

Junko said, "Uh, I don't get it, did I miss the joke?"

Piper swallowed, hand nervously on her chest and around her neck, she was so concerned for him, behaving like this. Anyone could handle, for instance, Finn getting a little mad from time to time, that was his thing, and it worked for him. But watching Aerrow sit there laughing to himself? She was distressed, he'd only been like this for mere seconds, but already she needed him back to normal.

"So, what do we do Aerrow?" She asked, taking timid steps towards him, glancing back at the unconscious body that he was sitting beside. She was more terrified of the Talon, fearing that he might suddenly pounce up and strike. Because surely this had to be a trick, some devious tactic he and Cyclonis had concocted, and Aerrow was making himself so vulnerable right now.

Her voice steadied him, he took a deep breath and blew out slowly, then dragged his hand slowly through his fluffy hair. OK. One last check to see if this was legit. Yes it is. He's alive. Right. Aerrow sobered up, in fact, he looked exactly like he used to look, before all the nightmares, before the silent struggles, before the feigning illnesses. And his friends were overwhelmed to be seeing that look again.

Aerrow stood up, "Right, sorry, uh, ignore that, don't know what came over me. First things first; let's get him back to the Condor, Junko can -"

"Woah woah dude, rewind."

"You want us to take him on board?" Piper squeaked, aghast by such a suggestion.

"Yeah. He could have vital information guys, it's pretty clear he's Starling's informant -"

"Is it?" Junko said, twisting his face, he was having trouble catching up with Aerrow's speed here.

"Well," Aerrow said, trying to sound as normal as possible, swinging his foot around absent mindedly, "What else could this mean?"

Finn wrinkled his nose at him, this wasn't like their Sky Knight at all, "A trap maybe?"

"No, it's not, it's..." he did not have a decent argument for that, not without uprooting everything. And this was not the time for that. They were standing on the most dangerous level of the Atmos, and his friend, alive, actually alive, was clearly struggling with his health at the minute. He hated to do it, his team deserved an explanation, but he had to resort to simply saying, "Junko, can you carry him for me?"

However, the Wallop didn't move, his grey eyes were big and round, he was conflicted, "I don't really want to Aerrow, I don't think this is a good idea." He trusted Aerrow, of course he trusted him, but currently, it's like he was possessed by something alien. Taking Dark Ace back to the Condor was not safe for anyone, and it was hurting his head trying to understand why his leader couldn't see this.

Aerrow tried a friendly smile, but there was an edgy look in the depths of his eyes. He needed to get the Cyclonian to safety, before it was too late, as he didn't know his condition. He was so anxious right now, as his family all looked at him, bewildered by his behaviour. He was desperate to bring back that golden trust they all carried for each other.

"Junko, it's fine, relax. Just trust me alright? I mean," he snorted, "Come on, I think we can handle a weak Cyclonian, I've kicked his butt thousands of times. But it's important that we get him out of here, so we can question him about Cyclonia. Remember that guys? We still don't know anything about that, this could be just what we need."

The three of them exchanged glances, Junko silently asking them for some help, the discomfort was easy to read on their faces.

The Wallop did not feel swayed in anyway, "But it seems pretty fishy don't you think, for him of all to people to be the one trying to help? What if all that stuff about the experiments was a lie? I don't trust him, I don't want to go near him, I wish you wouldn't either."

"He's right Aerrow," Piper said softly, holding her hand out to him, "let's stop and reevaluate our predicament here."

"Guys c'mon I'm - Junko, I uh ... I order you to carry him!"

That did not feel good, in the slightest. Neither did the looks they all shot him for saying it.

"This isn't right man," Finn muttered, crossing his arms, trying to grasp this, brows furrowed at the Talon.

He hated to continue with this, but it was all he had, "Junko, like it or not, I'm still the Sky Knight of this squadron. And I want you to do your duty. Please."

Piper was distraught, it was like Dark Ace had rubbed off on him or something. She took a few steps towards him, wanting to pull him away, maybe that's all it would take, to pull him out of this weird trance. "You're acting weird."

"She's right dude you're freaking us all out!"

Before she could hold him, he threw his hands in the air, defeated. He yelled, feeling flustered, and crowded, and bullied, "Alright fine!"

Their faces settled, they'd gotten through to him. But seconds later their shoulders were tensed, faces tight again, as they watched him return to the side of Dark Ace, feet by his head. He squatted down and buried his arms underneath him.

"I'll carry him myself," he said like a stroppy child, ignoring their appalled stares. Dark Ace was so limp, it was horrible, like when he was lying dead in his arms, god it had taken so long to push that out of his head. He was so afraid of him dying again, his heart was bouncing off his ribcage.

He groaned and grunted as he tried to hoist him up, managing to lift him a little, but his knees were still bent, "Oh come on, you're not that heavy," he told him, trying to just will him to be lighter.

And then Junko was with him, face submissive and uncomfortable. He bent down and scooped up the Cyclonian's legs, and rose the majority of the body off the ground, taking most of the weight from his friend.

Through a hard breath Aerrow said, "Thank you Junko," and the two began to carry him out of the cavern, over to the skimmers. Starling was still on hers, ensuring no beasts or eruptive lava became a problem.

"Where exactly are we going to put him?" The wallop asked, averting his gaze from the man in his arms at all times.

It didn't require a lot of mulling over, "We'll squeeze him into my co-pilot seat." He glimpsed at Piper and Finn as he passed them with Dark Ace in his arms, they did not look impressed in the slightest.

Having forgotten what an almighty terror this man was supposed to be, he couldn't fathom why they didn't want to give him a chance to explain himself. He couldn't see why his sudden compassion looked so rotten, and he was so caught up in the excitement to have his big brother back, that he had not taken time to imagine what must have been going through their minds.

Extortion. Mind control. Were a couple of particular favourites that were now burned into the minds of the rest of the squadron.

They reached the skimmers, and thankfully Starling didn't question his decision to move the Talon to a safer spot. She wore a look of understanding, but only because she wanted to interrogate the bastard, if he'd been wasting her time and lying to her, she was going to mutilate his special area. She assumed Aerrow was thinking the same. Besides, leaving him alone while he's defenceless? Only an idiot would do that, the council would be overjoyed with this capture.

Radar was perched on the edge of his little side car, tail high in the air, ears flattened, he snarled fiercely at the unconscious man that his friend was carrying.

"Come on buddy move," he gestured with his head. But the sky monkey also refused his orders and continued to stare daggers at the Talon, beastly growls aimed at him, he too wanted nothing to do with this wicked human.

Much to their dismay, Piper and Finn felt compelled to contribute to Aerrow's crazy wishes, and so they tried to assist in shifting the co pilot. Calmly trying to shoo him with their hands, softly explaining that they needed to make space for the prisoner. Radar arched his shoulders like he was ready to pounce, sharp teeth bear, itching to attack, just like he always did to anyone with that nefarious smell.

Suddenly, Aerrow shouted, "RADAR MOVE!"

Everyone stopped, arms falling to their sides, faces blank, uneasy looks exchanged. Radar had recoiled back in his seat, crouching submissively, peering up at his friend, distraught as he had never been yelled at before, never faced a genuine scorn.

The tension was unbearable, Aerrow huffed, and spat, "Well he's getting heavy!" With that Radar hurried out of his seat and scurried out of the way, the two finally settled Dark Ace down into the side car, all the while Junko trying not to make any mistakes as him as he put him down, worried he too might get yelled at.

It was hardly a perfect fit, truth be told he looked rather ridiculous sitting in that seat. His towering height didn't help, his head fell back, and his long legs were draped and dangling on either side. But that was the best they could do and it was time to go, so Aerrow mounted his ride, the others hurrying to follow suit, Starling offering them meek smiles in an attempt to comfort them.

Radar was still at the edge of the cave, tail tucked between his legs, holding it like a comfort blanket as he tried to understand what he'd done wrong. Aerrow finally crossed his round, sodden eyes, and waved his arm at him, "Come on, you can ride on my back."

He was handling the raised voice worse than a newborn puppy, sheepishly standing there before the Sky Knight, whimpering quietly.

The lines of frustration finally faded, there was a jabbing through his chest as he really took in the sight of Radar cowering, and realised he had done that to him, he had actually scared him. Ashamed of himself, he slowly held his hand out to the fluffy little creature, and spoke as softly as he could, "I'm sorry little buddy, just get on OK?... Radar, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have yelled, please, come on, that won't ever happen again I promise, it shouldn't have happened at all."

His long ears lifted ever so slightly, hopeful and appeased, he leapt back onto the skimmer and crawled over Aerrow's shoulder. Although, there was no friendly chirp or a true sign of forgiveness, and so Aerrow's guilt was not shaken.

OoO.

Squadron log, we followed a distress beacon which lead us to a cavern in the wastelands, which has lead us to the Dark Ace himself. It is impossible to say what his intentions are, although the majority of us believe that it can't be good. Nothing good can come from a man like that -

"Piper, think you could stop scribbling in that thing and help us figure out what we're supposed to do with Aerrow?" Finn said, concern creasing his face. Piper sighed and closed her journal, venting her thoughts in it was hardly a comfort at a time like this anyway.

At that moment, Stork came onto the bridge carrying a wooden box with a black painting of a skull on the side. The three teens looked at him quizzically, he settled it down on the table and started rummaging through it.

"I suspect mind worms, when you get him in here I'll start probing."

Piper's patience was on a thin line, and so she scowled at him with an ill temper, "It's not mind worms Stork!"

"I don't know, it looks like it really could be this time," Junko murmured from the table, fidgeting with the edge of it, completely crestfallen.

"OK, guys let's just calm down, there is always a perfectly rational explanation for everything. I will go and get him, we'll sit him down, and finally have a long discussion about what's going on, alright?" While she was addressing the boys, this was more so a pep talk for herself, as it really was like Aerrow was possessed. Showing so much compassion for the devil himself was highly out of character, especially for their leader.

Meanwhile, Aerrow was in his bedroom, along with the Dark Ace who was still unconscious, but now resting softer on his bed. Radar was with him, and had watched with severe confusion when his friend had cleaned all the soot, dirt, and grime off him.

And now, he was just sitting on a chair, right by the bed, staring at the Talon. He was losing his mind with the silence, he needed a conversation with this man. This all being real somehow made it hundred times harder than all of the nightmares he'd had.

Maybe it was because he'd never had to worry about him in the dreams, unlike right now.

Dark Ace absolutely reeked, Aerrow had passed homeless people on the streets with fresher fragrances. Not to mention that beard, it wasn't long or anything, but what the hell was that thing? He'd like to think he was a supportive friend, but it was ungroomed and there were fucking crumbs stashed away in the threads.

It was annoying that Dark Ace clearly wasn't taking care of himself, what had he been doing all this time? He was alive, so why was he letting his life deteriorate? Wasn't he supposed to have a comfortable life on Cyclonia? Was it the discovery of the shield that had done this to him? Would Cyclonis have even left him locked away in there? So many questions.

JUST WAKE UP ALREADY. PLEASE.

Suddenly there was a soft hand on his shoulder, and for a moment, he believed it to be a zombie. He whizzed around, hands up, grabbing the wrist. Piper gasped, more shocked than he was. He saw it was her, but did not relax, waiting for her face to turn into a zombie, not even realising he was doing it.

"So?" She said.

He blinked, realising her mouth had been moving, "Sorry, what did you say?"

She tugger her arm free, rubbing the wrist, "I said; don't you think we should have a meeting? Decide what we're going to do with him?"

Trying to recover from that blurry episode, he stood up quickly, "Yeah, uh huh, sounds good, let's do it." He smiled at her on the way out of the room, she tried to return it but couldn't, what ever condition he had, it was pulling him down further and further. It was alarming to witness, and the fact that he was seemingly in denial, increased the fear.

"Radar, stay here and guard him, let us know if he wakes up," she said, the sky monkey saluted then leapt over to the bed and leered at him hard, lips jittering as he snarled.

When Aerrow walked onto the bridge, he didn't stop, barely even glanced at his friends, just started pacing back and forth in front of the table. All the while still trying to decipher what all this meant, and wondering how Dark Ace could still be alive.

He could hear Finn starting the conversation, and then he looked up to find Starling entering the room, wiping her hands with an oily cloth. He'd forgotten she'd offered to check the maintenance of the skimmers after that heated flight.

She joined the sharpshooter on the couch. And was trying to suss out what was going on with the teenage Sky Knight. Growing up in a war, you bear witness to a lot of people victimized by tragedy, death, depression, madness. Right now she was wondering if he fell into one of those categories, he certainly appeared tainted by some of the symptoms, but if so, why?

"So I'm thinking," Finn continued, "We contact the council -"

"No we're not doing that," Aerrow shot quickly, still pacing, still staring at nothing, "They won't show him any mercy."

Finn huffed, Aerrow was one of his closest friends, and it was obvious opinions clash occasionally, but right now he was seriously pissing him off, "That's the point."

Junko stepped in, trying to calm this discussion before it unravelled into a stormy fight, "I think what Finn means is, well, the council should um, they'd know what to do, with the stuff..."

"As Sky Knights it's not our place to put anyone on trial and judge them, the Dark Ace is officially apprehended now, so it's time to do the mature thing and hand him over to the council," Starling said, crossing her legs, playing with the word mature, knowing it was like twisting the boy's arm.

Aerrow rolled his eyes, "Weren't you mad at the council a while ago? You don't want to go back to that?"

Piper finally spoke up, feeling the heat of anger like Finn, "And didn't you hate Dark Ace last time we checked? Don't you want to go back to that?"

"I -"

"What's that?" Starling asked, she straightened up, eyes locked on Aerrow, on his chest. "Where did you get that?"

Aerrow looked at her, caught sight of Finn, Junko, then Piper, their eyes had all fallen to his chest, he looked down and realised the Storm Hawk pendant was in his hand. Words were stolen from him, he hadn't even realised he'd pulled it out of his shirt, he stared at it as they were, trying to form an answer.

OoO.

Running, he'd been running, that gas chasing him, formula 33. What if it could still reach him? Need to open eyes, need to get moving. It doesn't feel as hot as the wastelands, had he been moved? He tried to get up, but his arm was restrained, he realised his left wrist had been handcuffed.

Fuck.

Eyes snapped open, he was a prisoner, but who's prisoner exactly? He yelped with surprise as he was staring into the eyes of a creature with sharp teeth. It took him a moment to realise he recognised that face and those teeth. Aerrow's co-pilot.

No. This was just too good to be true. Karma didn't hand out good luck to the scum of the Atmos.

But when he took his eyes off the sky monkey, and scanned the room, his lips parted. Could it be? This was his - er - Aerrow's room. So he really was on the Condor. Suddenly his chest fluttered and his stomach knotted. Those damn emotions were hard at work now, riddling his body, making him nauseous. However, he understood that this was the perfect time to feel this way, because after over a month of waiting and wanting, he was actually going to see that marvel of a kid again.

He looked at Radar, who had taken a few steps back, but still growling savagely at him. He swallowed, knew he had to be careful with this creature, knew all too well that he was more than happy to bite your ankle, and fuck had that chomp hurt.

He raised an eyebrow at him, "You wouldn't be stupid enough to give me the keys by any chance?"

The animal gave him silence and sharp eyes so focused it was almost human.

That rejection was expected, so he tried something else, knowing that the monkey understood him. "I uh, I don't suppose Aerrow is around? Is he?" His voice was soft when he spoke of the boy, he was shaking a little.

"Just a yes or no will do. A nod or a shake?" He huffed, and pouted, "You suck at charades."

But then Radar hopped off the bed and scurried out of the room, leaving Dark Ace alone to catch his breath, and prepare himself for what was about to unfold. It was going to be more than a reunion, if Aerrow remembered him, and they failed to conceal their friendship there was going to be scandal and scorn. But he couldn't stop himself from feeling excited to see him again.

Radar entered the bridge to find all humans on their feet, gathered around Aerrow, who smelled nervous and a little sweaty.

"Yeah, OK, you found it, but where?"

"Why would you keep it from us if you just found it?"

"God dammit Aerrow will you tell us what's going on already!?"

"Alright everyone settle down! - Radar what is it?" Aerrow's interrogation was interrupted as the co-pilot pattered over to them, ears tipped up high, trying to get their attention. It didn't take much mime work for the squadron to translate that something was going on with Dark Ace, the best they could guess was that he was waking up.

And with that in his head, Aerrow abandoned the heated discussion and darted off back to his bedroom. He raced to that room like his life depended on it, his sanity possibly did. All he could hear was his own huffed breath, couldn't hear his friends hurrying behind him, Radar scurrying just a few paces back.

There was the door, it slid open upon his arrival, and then he was inside.

Aerrow looked at Dark Ace. Dark Ace looked at Aerrow. Both completely frozen, staring at each other in total silence, chests going crazy, stomachs dropping, too overwhelmed to try a word or even a breath at that moment.

Dark Ace was sitting up on his bed, alive and well, no signs that any really harm had come to him. In fact, there were no signs at all that he had been bitten or physically damaged, he just looked shocked to see him. Aerrow's hopes sank, it became entirely possible that he had no memory of the apocalypse.

Aerrow was standing before him, looking untouched by the menacing trauma they'd gone through together. He was surprised to see him sure, but he didn't look sleep deprived or malnourished, Dark Ace's shocked expression began to fall into a subtle disappointment. What if they'd got it wrong, what if the wish maker could lose their memory?

The door slid open again, Piper at the front of the group, anxious to see if the criminal famous for killing Sky Knights was awake. But she was pushed backward by Aerrow, who looked like he'd seen a ghost.

The redhead got them all back into the hall until the door shut behind them, then tried to muster up a tone that would sound reasonably like the voice of a leader. "You guys should just go back to the bridge with Starling, I'll interrogate him."

They already knew he was going to insist, it just seemed to fit his current flakey attitude, but still Finn asked, "You sure about that dude?"

Aerrow tried to sound friendly and confident again, like old times. This was just another regular day for the Storm Hawks. Must keep that mind set. But it was so difficult.

An old friend who is not supposed to be an old friend came back from the dead, but not zombie kind of dead, just died through a wish that didn't happen because he's the only unfortunate soul forced to know about it.

Trying to carry on, like this wasn't the case, Aerrow said, "Of course, I think I can handle it, but there's no point in us all trying to get him to talk, so you guys just go back to the bridge and relax. I'll join you with the details of the shield in no time."

Nervous exchanged glances, and then they walked away. He had to gently push Radar along with his foot to get him moving with them, but never the less, he'd convinced them, so he could be alone with the secret brother.

Taking a deep breath, ruffling his hair. The second he was back in the room their eyes found each other again. Both hard to read, as both were trying to decipher if the memories were alive. Aerrow couldn't take it anymore, he'd been coping with this alone for over a month now, he needed to know what Dark Ace knew.

So he started fumbling with words as he tried to form the right question, because how does one ask someone something like this? If Dark Ace couldn't remember, and was the hateful pilot who wanted to draw his sword through him, he would need to tackle this as tenderly as possible.

"Do. Can you. If. What. Um... uh... oh man."

And then, something in Dark Ace's face flickered different, his left eyebrow cocked ever so slightly, his breath hitched, lips parted. His face softened, the kind of face Aerrow actually recognised on the Talon.

Quietly, as if just as nervous as the boy, he asked, "You're still wearing the pendant?"

The redhead's face dropped instantly, eyes wide, hand gravitated towards his chest, clutching onto the Storm Hawk symbol. His chest was on fire, he could feel his face flushing a little. Dark Ace was looking at him expectantly, a little worried that he was wrong about this, begging with his eyes for him to make the next move.

"You remember?" Aerrow blurted, trying not to get his hopes up too much, hardly believing that the answer could infact be yes, that this reunion could end up being as perfect as his dreams.

Dark Ace swallowed, "I do," a timid smile managed.

His breath was hard and heavy, "You remember everything." OK, it was happening. Aerrow had to turn away for a moment, this was all just too much. He was used to things going his way eventually, for he and his friends to be able to cheer over another happy ending. But to this extreme? To have someone lost actually come back.

"Then... it won't be weird if I say I missed you?"

With a ginger tone, Dark Ace said, "As long as you can believe that I ... missed you too."

He looked back at him.

Finally.

Aerrow rushed to him, practically collapsing on the bed, wrapping his arms around Dark Ace, who in response now had his free arm holding onto him. The Cyclonian was so grateful that he was getting to see the boy again, and on good terms. This wasn't a pity hug, he was sincerely thrilled that this was happening. Goodbye was usually it for him.

But right now he was ecstatic, it was ridiculous, he couldn't contain his joy, this boy was something else. He started laughing softly, the two still in an embrace, "You actually did it. I knew you'd do it kid. You did great."

Aerrow's smile was stretched tight from cheek to cheek, eyes squeezed shut, starting to chuckle with him. Dark Ace was alive, and was acting like his big brother again. They finally broke apart, Aerrow having to take a few steps back, turning away again, trying to steady himself.

Meanwhile Dark Ace was overwhelmed, he was thankful for the reunion but he hadn't expected the boy to go on like this. He scratched the back of his neck, "I've only been gone just over a month, I didn't think you'd go on like this, I'm flattered."

"I thought you were dead, of course I'm going to be like this, who wouldn't?"

But there was an abrupt silence from the Talon, Aerrow faced him, to find the man perplexed. It suddenly dawned on him, Dark Ace didn't know.

"What... are you talking about?" His deep voice quiet and confused.

Aerrow stammered, "When I made the wish, you were in the temple and you, you were dead Dark Ace." In that moment, when the words passed his lips, there was a surprising sense of satisfaction. The weight of that secret was lifted from his young shoulders, he could finally tell someone about all of this.

"Well I was in a coma for a few weeks, but dead? Aerrow, that's a little dramatic."

The weight was lifted, and left in it's wake, a light head, and wobbly legs. He wandered over to the bed and sat on the edge, Dark Ace was looking at him with soft, anxious eyes. But Aerrow kept his gaze to the floor.

"You were, Dark Ace."

"Maybe you made a mistake."

Aerrow threw his head back, huffing with frustration, "Oh yeah. Of course! 'Maybe I just made a mistake.' After trying to get your heart going, trying to breathe life back into you, for about fifteen minutes, I was just mistaken. I was wrong, of course you were alive, I must have missed a sign somewhere. Or hell, maybe you were trying to screw around with me, a fun little prank!" He threw his hands up, jumped to his feet, wildly distressed. "Hilarious!"

He was going to storm away, but he was hoisted back, a firm grip on his wrist. Dark Ace saying "Hey, hey," the distraught teen looked at him, "Relax." The Cyclonian swallowed, nervous for him, as the kid clearly had been affected by all of this.

Aerrow realised he'd blown up, and calmed himself with hard breaths, rubbing his face with his hand, "Sorry. It's been kind of rough." He lowered himself back down.

Dark Ace studied him with crimson eyes, "Yeah. I don't doubt. At least you've got people around you to help?"

"I, uh, I haven't told anyone about it actually."

Dark Ace frowned, he'd been suffering alone for over a month now? But before he could say anymore to him, Aerrow was on his feet again and excused himself. He was relieved to have someone to talk to about this, but apparently he couldn't handle a full blown conversation all at once, he needed to take a breath, so he left and returned to the bridge to see his friends.

Stork arched his neck to look at the Sky Knight upon arrival, his suspicious eyes leering at him. Finn and Junko rose when he entered, trying not to look too tormented by all of this. Piper had been pacing back and forth, and began to stroll towards him when he came in.

"So, did you get it out of him?"

He ruffled his hair and looked at her befuddled, "Uh, get what?"

"Information, about the force field thing...?"

"Oh... dammit, I forgot, right," he'd failed miserably to play that off cooley, so to avoid being questioned again he swiveled on his feet and marched right back down the corridor, despite not really wanting to so soon.

"This is a problem Piper," Stork said.

"He's right we've got to do something." Finn added.

"I've never seen him so out of it," Junko whimpered.

The crystal mage turned to her friends, she looked just as disturbed as the rest of them, but her eyes were thoughtful. They were 100% right, there was something amiss with the once great Sky Knight, and right now, dare someone say it, he was hardly fit to call the shots. The orders he was giving regarding Dark Ace made no sense, perhaps there really was a form of manipulation involved.

She took a deep breath, and brought her attention to the radio, close to where Starling was sat, observing it all, trying to figure it all out with them.

"I think we need to make a decision you guys."

OoO.

I hope you guys liked this chapter, I certainly hope the reunion was what you hoped it would be, if not I can only apologise lol

A review would be great if you got some free time. I will try and upload soon :)