Disclaimer: I don't own any Storm Hawks or anything.

Thanks for the reviews and such, to everyone who did!

Retrieval Mission

Piper dashed after her red-haired leader with Radarr in her grasp. The rabbit had received cruel treatment from Dark Ace when he was thrown across the throne room. She was glad that Aerrow had come to find her, and was glad that he didn't leave her to the Cyclonians. They would have killed her if they had been given the chance, but Master Cyclonis was going to use her as bait for Aerrow. Why?

She still wondered that very question. Piper wanted to ask why Master Cyclonis wanted him, but it was not the best time. First of all, they were fleeing for their lives, and second they were trying to find her misplaced staff.

That staff was special to her and that was why Aerrow had even thought of getting it. Her mother had given it to her before she had died and made sure the Piper promised to take good care of it. Having been Aerrow's friend since they were thirteen she had been comfortable with him and told him secrets, but that was becoming more complicated because they had gotten older.

For some reason she has been getting butterflies in her stomach when she saw him or when she thought of him. What was that? Did she have a crush on him? That had to be impossible because he was her leader and commander. There was no room for certain feelings.

Suddenly Aerrow slid to a halt and pushed up against the wall. Piper followed suit. She could hear voices coming slowly nearer and nearer. Her heart began to race once she knew who possessed one of the voices.

"You were supposed to not allow him to get past your guards, you moron!" Master Cyclonis screamed at another person who had not spoken yet.

"Master Cyclonis may I spe-" he was cut off.

"Why do I even bother on this conversation? I want you and your men to search this ship and find that brat! And I want it done now!" she shouted. He stood there like a frightened lamb seeing a hungry wolf. "Why are you just standing there? Go!"

One of the Talon leaders ran past them and they waited nervously for the Cyclonian ruler to pass and hopefully they would remain unnoticed. Master Cyclonis started to walk into their hallway and stopped.

Piper held her breath and watched. Aerrow seemed to tense at her side. It seemed as if the queen had sensed their presence. Piper didn't like this, but soon she was relieved for Master Cyclonis had moved on.

She breathed in deeply and relaxed. "Um," she whispered. "Why exactly does she want you?"

Aerrow turned to her. In his green eyes gleamed could see hatred. "Personally, I don't really want to talk about it right at this second," he whispered back. "I'll probably tell you when we're safely back on the Condor."

She didn't question him again and followed him quietly. She felt Radarr twitch in her arms and wondered what the unconscious rabbit was dreaming about. Piper looked down at him and gazed lovingly at him. Radarr had always found a way to make sure you were cheerful and he always knew when you were down.

Aerrow abruptly stopped and turned to face her. "Where is it that you think you lost the staff?" he finally asked. She would have thought he would ask her sooner instead of wondering aimlessly through these halls.

"Um, sorry," she answered. "I don't remember where it was."

He shrugged and then went back to wait he was doing. She walked behind, very sensitive of his presence. Soon her mind was back into dwelling on her feelings. It's not like he likes me too, she thought. But… what if he does?

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Aerrow looked back to make sure Piper was following, and sure enough she was. He was glad that he had found her at that moment or he probably wouldn't have found her conscious. Radarr had already been knocked out and he felt sorry for his friend. He would wake up with a splitting headache.

He could feel the cold metal of the handles of the blades in his hands and felt a little safer. Aerrow wondered what Finn, Junko, and Stork were thinking. Knowing Stork he would probably think they were dead already. He rolled his green eyes.

He stopped. He felt uncertain. The suddenness made Piper run into him. She muttered something about warning her and then he heard something else. Footfalls.

Aerrow tensed and then saw a vent. He went over to it and shoved a very uncooperative Piper into it, following closely behind. He knew that Piper did not like closed spaces, but it was the only way to escape the eyes of the Talons.

For some reason he became really aware of Piper's company. Being her friend for two or so years he never realized that she was actually beautiful. He mentally hit himself and ignored the feelings. When you are in a ship full of Talons and Master Cyclonis is somewhere about, you don't want to realize that sort of thing. It's way too distracting.

After crawling for some time Piper stopped. She turned her head towards Aerrow and her eyes were wide. "I think I dropped my staff somewhere in the throne room," she whispered.

"If you left it there, then we'll have to go and get it," he replied blankly. He didn't like the idea of going back to that room, but if it meant getting Piper's staff back then they had to go back.

After wondering in the vent for awhile they finally found the vent to the throne room. Piper opened it up and dropped into the room. Aerrow gripped onto Radarr with tightness and jumped down.

Aerrow and Piper looked around the room searching for Piper's staff. When she found it she gave a cry of glee and ran towards it. She smiled as the familiar weight was in her hand. Aerrow grinned at her happiness and while they were caught up in this moment they had not realized the danger they were in.

Master Cyclonis, Dark Ace, Snipe, Ravess, and some random Talons were in the same room. Aerrow sense their presence and turned around. His smile froze and then a slight frown formed on his face. Piper had only to look up to see the group of unfriendly Cyclonians.

"Aerrow," Master Cyclonis sneered. "Welcome back." Sarcasm was evident in her tone of voice.

He rolled his emerald green eyes. "What makes it welcome?" he jeered. "I find it solely on sarcasm and hate."

Master Cyclonis' eyes turned bright and full of loathing. She pulled out her staff and readied it. Piper placed herself in a battle stance and her energy staff turned on. Aerrow put Radarr down in a corner and then pulled out his blades, they glowed a brilliant blue.

Dark Ace who was in front of Aerrow pulled out his blade and red shone brightly off its metal. "Now, you're mine, brat," he growled.

"No one is to kill Aerrow, but I give you the permission to injure him for he has caused me serious pain," she demanded, and her eyes landed on Piper. "I really don't care if you kill the girl."

Aerrow grimaced, but his mind was soon distracted when Dark Ace began his attacks. Their cold blades struck each other and sparks began to fly. Aerrow strained under the pressure and then Dark Ace pushed him on his knees. Aerrow rolled away from the looming figure and unfortunately he received a swift kick to his ribs.

That sent him flying to the ground and one of his blades knocked out of his reach. He groaned, but he still managed to struggle to his feet. Dark Ace advanced on him and continuously slashed at Aerrow with rage and disappointment. Aerrow was weakening and it was harder to block the attacks. He risked a glance in Piper's direction.

She was using her staff to defend herself from the arrows Ravess relentlessly shot at her. Piper was being directed into a corner to be killed as a wolf corners its prey. Aerrow's vigor and strength suddenly returned and his blade actually cut into Dark Ace's flesh.

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Piper was sweating as she continued to deflect the arrows Ravess threw at her and then even Master Cyclonis herself began to shoot bolts of energy at her. It seemed as if they really want to make her work before the killed her.

Her heart went over to Aerrow and it screamed inwardly for his help. She saw him glance over at her, but the short, intense glance was interrupted by the infuriating Dark Ace. She tried to keep up with the attacks and sent some bolts of her own towards Ravess and Master Cyclonis.

Unable to block a blast she felt herself being thrown against the wall by the impact. She groaned and her body slumped to the ground. Ravess came closer and readied her arrow to send it into the teen's chest. Piper stared at the rose colored point and just when Ravess was going to release it a blue furry creature attacked the red-haired woman. Piper couldn't help smiling for she knew that Radarr was alright, for now.

Ravess screamed as Radarr's claws ripped at her face. Piper used the distraction to get herself up and for a moment she forgot about Master Cyclonis. Piper yelped as she was hit by the dark teen's staff. The force of the blow knocked her to the ground and Master Cyclonis' staff was glowing a dark purple ready to fire.

"Aerrow!" she shouted, her voice quivering. He seemingly didn't hear her and she watched helplessly as the blast came closer and closer. Then she remembered the crystal that she had…. a shielding crystal.

She dug into her pocket and pulled out a tiny crystal. As Master Cyclonis' blast was about to hit her she held the crystal out. There was a flash and then it disappeared. Piper smiled, but she was slightly disappointed that after one use of it, it was gone forever.

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Dark Ace growled as Aerrow slashed his skin. Aerrow backed up, not quite sure what to think. The red blade swung at Aerrow with renewed rage and he suddenly regretted the blow. Aerrow dodged and attacked with the same rage for he was beginning to get sick of the man.

Aerrow heard a faint cry from Piper and when he looked over there he saw she was holding one of those shielding crystals and knew she was going to be alright. Risking the glance he was kicked in the stomach and he groaned, but soon recovered. This was going to be a long.

He had the feeling that they had to leave this room soon or all of the Talons on board would swarm in. Aerrow moved over to where Radarr was placed still unconscious as ever and picked him up. He was still protecting himself with his blades and then he fetched the other blade and put it on his belt. He couldn't hold onto Radarr and two blades at the same time. Dark Ace was still bent on trying to defeat him and he wasn't ready to give in.

He made his way over to Piper and motioned for her to follow. They stood back to back and fended off Dark Ace and the others. They went over to the door and managed to get out of it. Once they made it out they sprinted down the hall towards the bunker. Aerrow made the decision that they must make it there to Piper's heli-scooter. It was the only thing that would get them off this Cyclonian ship.

Aerrow entered into the bunker with Radarr in his arms and Piper in tow. Something wasn't right…

Hopefully it was long enough for everyone.

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