Only two reviews this time? Sad face! Come on guys! Pretty pretty please with a cookie on top of some whipped cream? I'm sorry for the delay but, as I said, I cracked my radius head. I hope this chapter tops all my others. There is a little bit of language, but it's a tense situation. This is one of your first looks at Roberto after all that has happened. Enjoy!
Previously on Finding Perfection…
Cypriote is plotting against Alexis using… Alejandro. Alexis is making her way to the Pond of the Living to see what happens with Roberto and how it will affect her chances to get back to her life.
I kneeled by the Pond of the Living and sighed. I was getting so tired of doing this. "I want to see Roberto." I said.
Roberto was on Terra Atmosia on a mission. It was just a simple crystal retrieval. They had already gotten the crystal. He thought back to what he had seen earlier…
Alexis stood before him, looking eternally awkward. "Okay. Roberto… Well, I never really knew you very well. Definitely not the real you, and not really the… spy you either. I appreciate you trying to save me. I really do. You were working with Ace to protect me. I'm very thankful for that. I don't think I would have been able to do what you did. You know, deceiving Alejandro, Fernando, and Vendetta. I have a favor to ask, actually. Watch over everyone and make sure they don't go and do something stupid. Ace already almost got killed. I'm eternally in your debt." She said.
Now he was wandering around the town. Alexis was thankful. She knew that he was helping her. He felt a small sense of accomplishment. If only he had saved her…
He looked to the side as he saw a flurry of movement in an alleyway. He turned toward it and began to walk. He kept an eye and ear out for the sight or sound of someone running. Nothing came.
He got closer to the alley and a voice said, "Roberto?"
Fernando had just reached Atmosia and was looking for a place to stay. He would wait to go to the law. It was too late now, and he wanted to give Vendetta a chance of possibly escaping. "Please, Vendetta. I know you'll realize I'm gone before Alejandro does. Realize what I'm doing and run." He whispered.
"I did notice you were gone before Alejandro, and I did realize what you were doing, but I'm not running."
Fernando turned around to be faced with a smirking Vendetta. "You followed me…" He muttered.
"Uh, yeah. Did you think I was going to let you get all the glory? All the slack?" She asked.
"I guess not. For now, we just need to find somewhere to sleep." He said.
"Funny. You would think at least one of us would remember to bring some money." Vendetta said.
"We didn't have much money to start with. I brought some money." Fernando said.
"How much?"
"Enough to get us into the lowest Atmosia has."
"Better than jail."
Fernando and Vendetta wandered the streets until they finally saw a motel that they could afford. Before they knew it, they were standing in a dingy apartment with dirt on the walls and two beds with the mattress full of moths. There were brown specks in the water and a dirty carpet across the floor.
Vendetta sneered and said, "Send me to jail now."
"Trust me, this is still much better than jail. Especially for a pretty flower like you." Fernando teased.
"I am not a flower." Vendetta snapped.
"Whatever you say…"
Roberto stared, wide-eyed, at Fernando and Vendetta. "What are you…?"
"Shh! In here." Vendetta whispered.
Roberto joined them in the dark, dirty alley. "What are you guys doing here?"
"We're turning Alejandro in." Fernando said.
"They'll take you in too. You were accomplices."
"We were hoping that they'd cut us some slack for turning him in." Vendetta said.
"I doubt it. Listen, why don't you just wait and come with me for the night. Then, tomorrow, we'll go to the Storm Hawks and go find Alejandro ourselves." Roberto suggested.
"I don't want to work with the Storm Hawks." Vendetta sneered.
"Wait, Vendetta. If we team with the Storm Hawks and go after Alejandro ourselves, we don't go to jail, but we still get our revenge." Fernando said.
Vendetta smirked at all the possibilities. "Fine. I get to decide the punishment."
"To some extent." Roberto said.
Vendetta glared at him and snapped, "Aren't you a Cyclonian? Where's your cruelty?"
"I don't have any."
"Maybe we could even get the Dark Ace to help." Fernando said.
"He won't. He will not work with the Storm Hawks. He tends to work alone." Roberto said.
"The Storm Hawks it is." Fernando said.
"Tomorrow." Vendetta added.
"Tomorrow." Roberto agreed, nodding. "Now we just need a place to sleep…"
"Don't worry. I got just the place." Fernando said, flashing a toothy smile.
"Lead the way." Roberto said.
"Not again." Vendetta sighed as they made their way back to the dirty motel.
The next day, Roberto was ready to go. "We don't have rides." Vendetta pointed out flatly.
"Don't worry about that. I can get you guys some Cyclonian skimmers." Roberto said.
"Won't people attack us if they see Cyclonian skimmers? Especially the Storm Hawks?" Fernando pressed.
"Probably. You got a better idea, smart guy?" Roberto asked. Fernando remained silent. "Then, just wait here a little longer."
He left and made his way to the tent where the Cyclonian rides were. It was hidden well. They didn't want to get the locals to call in the Storm Hawks for a simple crystal retrieval.
Roberto looked into the tent. Good. The guard was asleep. Useless fools. He strolled past the guard and rolled a skimmer out. He wasn't looking forward to pushing each one to the motel one at a time. He'd also have to stay hidden. He sighed as he pulled the skimmer into some trees and stepped back to make sure it was hidden. It was.
He smiled in satisfaction and left to find Fernando and Vendetta. If they just waited for him to give them the skimmer, then he wouldn't have to stay hidden. He smirked as he walked down the street, right in view of everyone. This was much easier than wallowing around in the mud.
He reached the motel in the midst of his self-worshipping. "Did you get the skimmers that fast?" Vendetta asked suspiciously.
"No. I need you two to wait for me outside of the tent to take the skimmers. It'll take way too long to try to sneak them all here. I also need all my energy in case the Storm Hawks attack us before we can explain everything." He explained.
"Fair enough." Fernando said.
"Yeah. I want to get out of this place anyway. I hate dirty motel rooms." Vendetta said, crinkling her nose slightly in disgust.
The trio walked to where Roberto had hidden the first skimmer. "Wait here and I'll get the other and mine." He told Fernando and Vendetta. Fernando nodded; Vendetta just sat on her skimmer, showing that she would stay.
Roberto entered the tent. "What are you doing here?" The guard asked.
"Damn." Roberto muttered under his breath, before speaking up, "I need to retrieve a skimmer."
"Your skimmer? What's your name?" The guard asked, pulling out a clipboard.
"No. Not mine. I need a spare for a talon who broke down nearby." Roberto lied expertly.
"Fine. Go at it." The talon said.
"Thanks, mate." Roberto said, wheeling a skimmer away.
"Need help?"
"No. I've got it."
Roberto wheeled the skimmer out to Fernando. "I'll go back and get mine in a couple of minutes. I don't want the guard to get suspicious by my suspiciously fast traveling." He said.
"You know, it's actually kind of handy having a Cyclonian around. Have you ever thought about being a spy for the sky knight council? You're pretty good at it." Vendetta said.
"I've considered it, but I'm hesitant to go up against Master Cyclonis. I was trained in spying in Cyclonia. They know all my tricks." Roberto explained.
"Why did you come to spy on us in the first place?" Fernando asked.
"Master Cyclonis wanted to see what all the news was about the new squadron that didn't become official. She didn't want you to become the next Storm Hawks."
"That's understandable. I mean, the kids have kicked her ass countless times. Must be embarrassing." Vendetta said, smirking in amusement.
"Very." Roberto said darkly, turning. "I'll be back." He walked over to the tent.
"Back again?" The guard asked suspiciously.
"I need my skimmer this time. The guy must've bumped his head. He doesn't remember his way back; I, personally, don't think he's fit to drive. A buddy and I are bringing him back." Roberto said.
"Name?" The guard asked.
"Jackson." Roberto lied, giving the name of one of the other talons and prayong that this guard didn't know him. He wasn't in the mood for a battle right now.
"Jackson, Jackson… Here. Now off you go." He said.
Roberto hopped on the ride and drove out to the Fernando and Vendetta, who were ready on their skimmers. "Let's get going." He said. They flew off. "Let's head to Cyclonia first and try to get the Dark Ace's help. We'll be more readily welcomed there on our skimmers."
"We don't exactly look the part." Vendetta said.
"Look in your skimmer's compartment. We usually keep a spare uniform in there." Roberto told her.
"That's convenient."
"Why?" Fernando asked.
"If a Cyclonian shreds his uniform in battle or something, he won't have to wear normal clothes. He can just change back into uniform. In civilian clothes, he ran a chance of being attacked." Roberto explained.
"Smart." Fernando said.
"I don't even want to think about a Cyclonian losing his uniform in battle." Vendetta said, shuddering.
"We'll stop at this terra up here."*
"Approaching Cyclonia." Roberto said.
"Do we have to get the Dark Ace involved in this?" Vendetta asked.
"He's a skilled fighter and would be a valuable ally in battling Alejandro. Also, he was closest to Alexis and Alejandro took her away from him. This is his battle too." Roberto said.
"Honorable, for a Cyclonian." Fernando said.
"Alright, alright. Whatever." Vendetta sighed.
The trio landed their skimmers in the hanger bay. They got off and strolled away. No one suspected a thing. Authentic rides, authentic uniforms. One of them was even a real Cyclonian! They were safe here. At least for now.
Roberto led the group to the fifth floor, where the Dark Ace's room was located. He knocked and the door slammed open. "What?" The Dark Ace snapped, glaring murderously at them.
His bad moods have doubled ever since Alexis disappeared. I just hope he doesn't kill us when we try to bring her up. "We need to talk." Roberto said.
"About what?" The Dark Ace demanded.
"Alexis."
"I'm not going to talk about her to you. Who are these three?"
"My friends. We want to get Alejandro and we could use your help."
The Dark Ace's eyes darkened at the name. "Alejandro. That bastard. When I get my hands on him, I'll rip him to shreds for what he did."
"The honor is yours." Roberto said.
The Dark Ace considered for a moment before saying, "Fine."
"One more thing." Fernando said.
The Dark Ace looked at them. "We want the Storm Hawks to help too." Vendetta said.
The Dark Ace's eyes flashed with hatred. "No deal, then. I will not work with the Storm Hawks. They could have stopped what happened, but they were too ignorant and stupid to see it."
"What about taking care of Alejandro?" Roberto asked.
"I'll do it myself. Even better, you'll take care of it. Why get my hands do it when your little group will be so capable?" The Dark Ace smirked before promptly closing his door and leaving Roberto, Fernando, and Vendetta in the hallway.
"That went well." Vendetta said.
"Better than I thought he would." Roberto added.
"Yeah. Let's just go find the Storm Hawks. We don't need him." Fernando said. The three left on their skimmers once again.
"Let's set up camp on that terra." Fernando said. The group landed and Vendetta began to start a campfire as Roberto and Fernando set up the tent.
After the tent was set up and the fire was going, everyone warmed themselves by the fire. "I can't believe the Dark Ace didn't want to help save Alexis. What kid of boyfriend is he?" Vendetta demanded.
"He just didn't want to work with the Storm hawks. He blames them for her death." Roberto said.
"What do you think it's like where she is?" Fernando wondered.
"I don't know. She contacted me though. She thanked me for helping the Dark Ace. It must not be very good there. I get the feeling that she wanted to come back." Roberto said.
"She contacted you? What did she say" Fernando asked.
"She just thanked me. She also told me to watch over everyone." Roberto said.
"We'll be able to get her back. Once Alejandro is out of the way and we're teamed with the Storm Hawks, there will be no one to stop us." Fernando said.
"Good." Roberto said.
The next morning, the three set out to go to the Condor. "So what are we going to tell the Storm Hawks? It's not like they exactly trust us." Vendetta said.
"We'll have to explain and be completely honest. We won't leave anything out and we will tell no lies. We must gain back their trust if they're ever going to help us." Fernando said.
"I agree." Roberto said.
"Get ready. There they are." Vendetta said.
The Condor was in the distance. They drove a little closer and Fernando's radio crackled. "What do you want?" Aerrow demanded over the radio.
"We're here to ask for help…" Fernando began.
"Why would we help you?" Finn demanded.
"It's about Alexis. We have a plan to save her." Roberto said.
"What makes you think she can be saved? You killed her." Piper said angrily.
"She spoke to me." Roberto said.
There was silence on the other end of the radio before Aerrow hesitantly asked, "…She contacted you, too?"
"Yeah."
"So what's your plan?" Aerrow asked.
"Aerrow?" Piper asked in the background.
"Why don't we all sit down on the Condor and talk it over, shall we." Fernando suggested.
"Yes. Open the hatches, Stork." Aerrow said.
"Aerrow… she contacted you?" Piper asked in the background before the signal cut off.
"We're in." Roberto said.
"That was easier than I thought it was going to be. I figured they'd at least attack us… how disappointed." Vendetta said.
"It's best this way. Now we'll have more time to hunt down Alejandro and save Alexis." Fernando said.
They landed their skimmers on the Condor and were met by Aerrow, Piper, and Finn. "Follow us." Aerrow said, all business.
"What, no 'hello' or 'how are you?'" Vendetta asked.
"No." Piper said coldly.
The group of six sat at a round table in the main room of the Condor. "So, what's your plan?" Aerrow asked, looking at Fernando, who nodded over to Roberto.
Roberto began to explain his plan: "First, we have to find Alejandro. I think we might have an idea on where he is. He was on Terra Atmosia last, but he probably fled to another terra when Vendetta and Fernando left…"
"Why did they leave?" Piper asked.
"We wanted to turn Alejandro in." Vendetta said.
"What terra do you think he left to?" Aerrow asked.
"It would most likely be a nearly deserted terra; one that he wouldn't think anyone would chase him too…" Fernando said.
"How about Terra Peligro?" Piper suggested.
"That's likely…" Fernando said.
"On with the plan." Aerrow urged.
"When we find Alejandro, we'll take care of him ourselves…"
"Surely you don't mean to kill him?" Piper asked.
"The council will do the same, just slowly. At least we'll make it quick." Roberto explained.
"Fair enough." Aerrow said.
"After he's out of our way, it'll be easier to help Alexis." Roberto said.
"How do you propose we do that?" Stork asked.
"…I don't know." Roberto said.
"We can't just run into this without a plan…!" Piper began.
"We'll figure it out after Alejandro is out of our way." Vendetta interjected.
"I guess the plan's good enough for now." Aerrow said.
"Thank you." Fernando said.
"Well, I guess we're going to Terra Peligro." Aerrow said, nodding to Stork. Stork sighed and turned the ship.
"This way." Fernando said.
"What if this is a trap?" Vendetta asked.
"It isn't. He can't p0ossibly know we're coming." Roberto said.
"I don't know. He's tricky." Piper said.
"How could he have known? We were the only ones who knew." Finn pointed out.
"Easy. I guessed." The group turned to see Alejandro, standing on a nearby ledge.
"How'd you guess?" Aerrow demanded.
"Well, whenever Fernando and Vendetta left, I figured they were going to turn me in like the traitors they are. It is disappointing. My entire team… traitors." Alejandro sighed pitifully.
"Just get on with your damn story." Roberto said.
Alejandro smirked and continued, "I left the terra and came here to escape the terra that was full of law authority. When no law enforcement came looking for me, I knew that you three had rejoined and were going to try to take me down yourselves. I also knew that you aren't stupid and you know that I'm not stupid. It would only take a matter of time before you came here to find me. I didn't expect to see the Storm Hawks though. Well played! What a twist! Now, where is that Dark Ace? I'm sure that he would love to have the pleasure of breaking my neck."
"He's not here. We're the only ones who will be breaking your neck, Alejandro." Vendetta said.
"And what a show that would be. The fight, you losing. It's a pity I won't be able to enjoy it. It's too bad Acey isn't here. Too bad for him that is… I suppose I'd better continue. The show must go on! You'll love act two." Then, he disappeared.
"Act two?" Finn asked.
"The Dark Ace! It has something to do with him! We must go to Cyclonia now!" Roberto exclaimed.
"No way! We're not going to Cyclonia." Aerrow said.
"Fine. We can take Alejandro ourselves…" Vendetta began.
"No! We need all the help we can get. Storm Hawks, we're not doing this for the Cyclonians. We're doing this for the world. Something bigger than just Alexis being gone is going on, and I want to stop it before I even know what the plan is." Roberto said.
Aerrow glared at the ground for a moment before finally nodding in agreement.*
I tried to make it extra long since you had to wait for my arm to heal. At least it's well enough to write now. Curse you, arm! I had a bunch of songs from Les Misérables stuck in my head, so no talon how different the writing got. lol I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter. I don't know how I feel about it. Please review!
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