Hello all, let's see if I can get this story completed this year!
I do not own the Storm Hawks, they are the property of Nerd Corps.
December 14th
Traditions
For as long as Aerrow could remember, he had always managed to spend New Year's Eve on Terra Atmosia. The memories became blurry with age, but he still remembered the joy and excitement he had felt as a toddler watching fireworks light up the midnight sky from his vantage point on his father's broad shoulders. Some of his favourite memories were from recent years when he came to Atmosia with his squadron – back when they were just a bunch of friends with high flying dreams.
There were days when he longed for the simplicity of years far gone, but New Year's was just as much about looking to the future as it was remembering the past. Aerrow threw his arms around the shoulders of his friends closest to him – Finn and Piper – and grinned when Radarr jumped from Piper's shoulders to his.
The future was a funny, fickle thing, and as they prepared to celebrate their first New Year's Eve as the Storm Hawks Aerrow was reminded of his encounter with the oracle in the Forbidden City.
The oracle had been cryptic about what she had shown Aerrow of the future, yet she was grateful to be saved by the Storm Hawks. Aerrow could only hope that the courage of his teammates – his friends – would see them through whatever the new year held; whether they were imprisoned or free, at war or celebrating peace, or even if they drifted apart or drew closer together.
Together.
As the bell began to chime in the church tower above the town square, Aerrow joined his friends in the countdown to New Year's Day.
"Ten!" Junko's excited voice belted out above all the others in the square, and Aerrow knew that few could match his Wallop friend's strength of heart.
"N-nine…" Though he was always hesitant to join in the yearly festivities, Stork's hesitation and endless preparation had saved their squadron on multiple occasions – Aerrow was even thankful for Stork's unending knowledge of rare creatures and obscure ailments (though Aerrow would never understand why Stork had doused both him and Piper in several disinfectants after finding out about their mistletoe incident that had been orchestrated by Finn a couple of weeks earlier).
"Eight!" Finn smiled widely as the countdown continued, never missing a number, just like he never missed a shot.
"Squawk!" Radarr's attempt at counting caused the Sky Knight to beam, remembering a night long ago when he had met Radarr for the first time on his seventh birthday.
"Six!" Aerrow called, proud to be one of the six Storm Hawks that the Atmos had left to protect it.
"Five!" Aerrow's squadron chorused, and he let thankfulness wash over him like a tidal wave as he enjoyed the comforting presence of his five closest friends.
"Four." Piper murmured gently as Aerrow drew his dearest friend closer to him, recalling fondly the encouragement his navigator had been to him for the four, almost five years that he had been lucky enough to know her for.
"Three!" Anticipation built amongst the group, eyes darting about and searching the dark winter sky for the first sign of a colourful explosion.
"Two!" To Aerrow, this had to be one of his favourite moments of the whole year – the end of one and the start of another.
"One!" As the group's anticipation reached a crescendo of mirth, Aerrow once again reminded himself that he always knew one thing for sure as he started a new year alongside his friends.
Cries of "Happy New Year!" echoed about Terra Atmosia's town square, unable to be drowned out by the twelfth toll of the church bell, or by the fireworks lighting up the skies overhead. Hugs were exchanged amongst groups of friends and family members all over the square, and the Storm Hawks saw no need to act differently.
They all took turns embracing one another in celebration, and a 'whoop!' was let out by Finn after witnessing Piper's quick peck to their Sky Knight's reddening face. Their laughter and joy remained throughout their early morning journey back to the Condor.
Aerrow dawdled at the back of the group, content to just watch his friends in front of him climb up the walkway to the flight deck. The Sky Knight paused at the bottom of the ramp and took one final look up at the explosions in the sky, assuring himself that if one thing was for certain it was that the Storm Hawks would make a big impression that coming year – in their own explosive way.
For those who read this from the beginning, or have just found this story now, let me know if you would like me to continue with the guessing game and keeping track of scores and what not.
~Crimson Fox4