AN: Let me start by saying that I'm sorry for the delay. I ran into a bit of a writer's block there, but it's pretty much vanished now. (Directly at StormHawksAwesomeness: Sorry, but since you weren't technically 'signed in' when you wrote the review asking when I would update, there was no link that allowed me to reply. I would have gotten back to you if I could. Sorries.) Also, I'm sorry to those whom I told that this would be the Binding chapter – it's not. I shortened it so I could update sooner – a choice which improved the flow of the separate parts of the story. Anywho, thanks to everyone who reviewed chapter 5. I'm so glad I'm getting all this feedback! It really makes my day.
Chapter 6: Both Sides of the Story
Starling was on edge. Then again, she had been on edge for quite a while now. Regardless, the questioning and suspicious looks she received when she landed on Aquinos were enough to make her second guess her decision to come here. Ah well... Starling thought as she took another drink from her mug. Too late to back out now.
Starling sat in one of many lakeside taverns. The establishments varied widely in quality, however, Starling wasn't choosey. She entered the most deserted one she could find and claimed the farthest table at the back. She did not want to be interrupted once her business started. It wasn't the most glamorous meeting place, yet Starling would gladly put up with the dirt and questionable patrons if it was the cost of some privacy.
Starling was just on the verge of wondering if she was wasting her time here, when Tritonn appeared. All heads turned to him as he entered, but he didn't acknowledge anyone; he glanced around for Starling. Upon noticing her, he made his way across the pub to the seat opposite where she sat.
"Tritonn," Starling politely acknowledged. She wasn't looking the best, but that was only expected considering the rumours of what she had been up to.
"Starling," he replied back. "I heard you're lookin' to have a chat wit' me."
Starling raised the mug to her lips, neither denying nor verifying what Tritonn said. However, she did not need to reply; she carried the offhand air of someone whom had important business to discuss.
"But that's not all I hear," Tritonn whispered in a slightly less friendly tone. "I hear you're o' mind to try and get to the Far Side..." Starling put down her mug, not meeting Tritonn in the eyes, perfectly aware of the impending argument that would follow. "...by any means."
Now Starling did look at Tritonn – a silent confirmation of what he was implying. Tritonn frowned as he realized the rumours were right and he only remained seated in curiosity to hear Starling's side of the argument. "I've got half a mind ta leave right now, Starling." It wasn't a threat, yet without a doubt it was sincere. "Why don't ya tell me why you're truly here?"
"Tritonn," Starling spoke, swirling the remains of her drink slowly in her mug, knowing that choosing the right words were crucial. "The Council won't do anything to help. Now I have to seek out others who are willing to assist me."
"Assist ye with what, exactly?" Yet both Tritonn and Starling knew what.
"Tritonn," Starling said more confidently, stilling her glass. "I'm just trying to get the Storm Hawks back here. We owe them." Starling took a moment to consider her tactics, and eyed Tritonn intensely. "Some of us more than others." Her point did not go unnoticed, and Tritonn looked away from Starling, slightly ashamed of himself. "The Storm Hawks did help you, did they not?" It wasn't a question. "In fact, the cave they helped you seal – it wasn't just any cave, was it?"
"That's enough, Starling!" Tritonn objected, a little too loudly. The more curious bar-goers turned their heads at the outburst, but then Tritonn regained control of himself. "I know why you're here," Tritonn said, obviously trying to keep a check on his anger. "And frankly, I can't believe you'd have the nerve to come to me with such a request."
"Tritonn," Starling spoke with equal force. "I'm not here to argue. I'm here in hopes you'll understand. You're more level headed than most sky knights out there, which is why I felt sure this would be my chance." Starling could see that her subtle flattery had eased Tritonn's temper, and she had a hard time repressing a smile. "Won't you listen?"
Tritonn smiled and gave a half-willed scoff at his own presumptions. "Aye..." he conceded after a moment's silence. "Aye, I can't deny ye that." At Tritonn's words, Starling smiled. "Tell me what ya need. I'll listen."
"Thank you, Tritonn," Starling said, knowing that she had won the chance for an explanation.
"Don't be thankin' me yet," Tritonn corrected.
"Listen," Starling said, now able to reveal her plan and cast aside persuading tactics. "I've been looking into the Far Side. A lot of the research I've done has led nowhere, but passage through the endless caverns may actually be much more possible than most people would initially think." Tritonn gave Starling a wary look, but it went unnoticed by her. "If I could just get in... I know I could find a way through. Not only for the Storm Hawks, but think of all we could learn by having first-hand accounts of the Far Side. Think of what it would mean for Atmos!"
"Now just hold on right there, lass." Tritonn interrupted. "I can see where you're going with this, but it's just not gonin' to happen." He said it as sympathetically as he could, yet Starling's face, which had been filled with adventurous spirit and hope moments beforehand, now bore an expression of disappointment.
"What? Tritonn, I thought..."
"I said I'd listen, lass, not agree. I know that most if not all your hopes are restin' on this, but you have ta see it from my side. As the sky knight of Aquinos, I just can't allow the risk."
Tritonn was saying everything Starling feared he would, and her mood quickly changed to one of resentment. "Risk?" she asked cynically.
"Aye," Tritonn said dangerously, aware of the sudden shift in tension. "Think on it. There's only a chance that you'd be able to make it through. There's only a chance you'd find the Storm Hawks and make it back alive. But is there a chance those monsters will come out? No; that is a dead certain fact. I'm sorry, Starling – I really am – but I simply cannot allow the safety of these waters to be put at risk for a mere chance."
Starling rose from the table, stony faced and obviously annoyed. "I see." That's all she said and began to leave. Tritonn was taken aback and rose from his chair and called after the knight.
"Starling, wait! I don't want there to be any ill-will 'tween us. Can't we come to some sort of understandin'?"
Starling was at the door and paused for a moment. She turned back to Tritonn and looked at him sadly. "Sorry, Tritonn," she said. "I can't help you."
"Starling!"
But she left. She knew she probably came off as unreasonable, but she couldn't help it. Everyone, everyone had seemed to have given up. Excuses – it was nothing but excuses.
Starling jumped onto her ride, wanting to get as far away from Aquinos as possible. She flew into the air, and as the large water-filled terra behind her disappeared into the clouds, Starling knew she had only one chance left. It was her only choice, but to chase this lead, it would require a course of action that Starling was hoping she could avoid. Starling sighed as she realized what the recent developments meant.
This was going to be unpleasant.
Things were not good. But of course, that was an understatement. Things were terrible (end-of-all-hope by Stork's standards). And it had only been five days.
Five long days.
With no leader, the Storm Hawks were simply at a loss. At first, they tried to think of possible ways to get Aerrow out, but not a single plan was fully developed before it met its fate as a crumpled up piece of wastepaper. But not being able to form a plan was just a part of it. Knowing Aerrow hadn't wanted them to come to the rescue was even more painful to bear. No matter what words of false encouragement the team members gave to each other, no matter what fruitless hope, Aerrow's final note echoed in their minds and hearts. And of course, he was more than their leader, he was their friend. Not knowing what fate he might meet in the tower made them feel powerless; they floated aimlessly in the clouds, unable to do anything.
Piper took over, as the team knew she would. Piper was always put in charge when Aerrow was gone, and the team respected her place as second in command – well – first in command now. She was able to offer the team a shred of direction, with the thought that they should once again look for Domiwick, only this time from the skies. The fog had finally cleared, and the city streets were visible from high altitude. The team took their skimmers out daily, not sure what they were looking for – everyone knew Domiwick was just an excuse for purpose's sake.
But then the search had to be called off.
Piper was sick again.
At first they said nothing – after all, they had all been through a lot. Most of the team figured Piper simply must had reacted harder than the rest of them. In Finn's terms she was 'after all' a girl. However, they knew that was no explanation at all. Piper was stronger than some of the team in many ways. She probably just caught a cold... or something...
...or something...
By the end of the third day, it was painfully clear that there was definitely something wrong with Piper, and the team feared they knew what. The pale skin, dark circles under the eyes, and rough coughing all pointed to one thing: the Binding. Piper denied everything that she was confronted with. On several occasions when Junko would timidly ask her if she were fine, she would shrug off the question, with a mumbled 'ya'. However, there was one time when she almost broke down. Finn confronted her, angry that she wasn't acknowledging the issue at hand. Piper retorted that the only issue was getting Aerrow back, and the whole argument fell to pieces. After many heated minutes, Piper ran to her room crying, and the team didn't talk for the rest of the day.
But it was the middle of the fifth day now, and Junko knew that if he didn't do something soon, they might end up losing yet another leader... He walked down the hall to Piper's room and knocked gently on the door.
"Piper?" he asked, quietly so the others wouldn't hear. Tensions between the Storm Hawks were high, and he didn't want anyone else coming into the already complex equation. "Piper? Are you okay?" Stupid question, but Junko didn't know what else to say. There was no answer, but Junko knew it was too early in the day for Piper to have taken a nap, so he opened the door.
He was saddened by what he saw. She just sat there, on the edge of her bed, staring into space, lost in her head. Piper looked worse, by why look any better? Junko sat softly down beside her. She still didn't acknowledge his presence, but Junko didn't say anything. About a minute passed, and then he couldn't help but ask again.
"Piper?"
She gave a start and looked around. Her eyes fell on Junko, only now realizing he was there, and greeted him dully.
"Oh... Junko. I didn't hear you come in."
Junko may not be the sharpest tack in the box, but he knew how to read his friends. Piper was embarrassed for not noticing Junko sooner, and though she denied it to everyone around her, she was perfectly aware of what was happening to her.
"Piper..." Junko said slowly, knowing he was entering dangerous territory. "You really should talk to someone..."
Piper half smiled. By 'someone' Junko obviously meant himself. Who else was there to talk to? Stork had grown even more sullen than normal and kept himself apart from the others. Finn was moody and huffy all the time, and Radarr had taken root in Aerrow's bedroom, silently mourning and refusing more than half the time to come out. "Ya..." Piper said, staring at the floor. "I should."
Junko wasn't positive how to interpret her response. It didn't sound like a denial, however, so he pressed on. "Do you think it's 'cause Aerrow's not here?" It was risky mentioning Aerrow, but Junko knew that they wouldn't get anywhere if the matter wasn't brought to light.
Piper sighed, not knowing if she was yet ready to talk about it. She looked at her friend – timid and concerned. She owed it to the others to not have to make them worry. "Ya..." Piper finally conceded. "Ya, it is."
Junko grew tense. The team had been told what had happened between Aerrow and Piper on the tower's edge, but that didn't mean they understood it.
"Maybe..." Junko hesitated. "You think you could use it with someone else?"
"No," Piper replied instantly, not harshly, just in realization of the absolute truth of the fact. "I don't know why, but it has to be Aerrow."
Junko was silent for many minutes, Piper pondering quietly by his side. "Piper..." he said again, breaking the silence. "This has happened a lot more quickly than last time, meaning it's probably more serious..." Piper said nothing. She didn't have to be told that, she already knew. "You think..." Junko continued. "When we were down below, looking for Domiwick, you found that book..." Piper sighed, knowing where this was going. "Do you think we might be able to find something in the Far Side to help you?"
"I don't know, Junko," Piper replied, tired, as if this was something she had been thinking about many times over. "I considered it, but with things the way they are now... how could I find anything?"
Junko frowned. This wasn't the Piper he knew. "Piper," he said, a little more forcibly than the gentle tones he had been using until now. "You can't give up."
Piper paused at the words for a moment, recalling what Aerrow had told her: "I'm not giving up yet... you're the hope of Atmos now...".
Piper coughed, but behind the sickness eating away at her, a new determination suddenly seemed to burn behind her eyes. "What have I been doing?" Piper asked, more to herself than to Junko. She laughed hollowly which ended off with yet another hoarse cough. "Some leadership. Everything is falling to pieces." Piper then stood up, much to Junko's surprise (for she looked much too weak to stand). "You're right, Junko," Piper said with a smile. "It's time to get things back on track, and the first thing I'm going to do is have you and Finn go out on some recon. Maybe we'll..."
Piper trailed off, her fiery determination vanishing as fast as it had come. She swayed a little to the side, and Junko, realizing what was happening just in time, rose from the bed and caught her.
She had fainted.
"Piper?" Junko asked, worried about the sudden change, as fast as turning off a light. "Piper?" But she wouldn't wake.
"Stork!" Junko yelled, running into the bridge with Piper in his arms. Stork turned, hearing the urgency in Junko's voice. When he saw Piper unconscious, his sullen face turned to one of concern, and he bent beside her still frame as Junko laid her on the couch.
"What happened?" the Merb asked.
"We were just talking, and all of a sudden she just fainted! Mid sentence. I tried everything, smelling salts, you name it, but nothing's working!"
Stork bent lower to examine Piper. He hovered his hand over her nose and checked for a pulse. As he went about his diagnostic, Finn came in, closely followed by Radarr. As they saw Piper on the couch, they didn't need to ask what had happened – it had only been a matter of time.
"She's alright," Stork concluded. "For now. She's breathing alright, but if what you say is true, Junko, I don't know how long she might stay like this. Or what might happen if she does..."
Radarr squeaked, worried about his friend. Finn patted the top of the furry creature's head sadly. However, Junko, though worried, wasn't wearing an expression of fretfulness. He had a plan.
"Guys," he addressed to what little left of the team there was. "When Piper and I were searching the Far Side together, we came across a book that mentioned the Binding." Everyone listened silently to Junko, aware of the calm manner with which he spoke. "If she's right and the people of the Far Side did know everything about the Binding... there's only one person who can help us now."
He wasn't pleased, not at all. In fact, he was entirely pissed off. But then again, he had good reason to be. He had been the head talon for years, and the moment Cyclonis finally got her hands on Aerrow for good, he wasn't informed? Well, rationally he knew why. He was the one who turned his back on Cyclonis. Then again, the Dark Ace wasn't always rational.
He marched to the doors of the main chamber, a scowl on his face and sword in hand. The two Night Crawlers standing guard approached him, a little anxious, yet fierce nonetheless.
"How did you get past the other guards?" one of them hissed. "You are not welcome here!"
The Dark Ace ignored the pointless question and thrust the Night Crawler aside. He turned on the other with his sword. The dark figure blocked the attack just in time, but the Dark Ace continued to bear down on him with all his strength. "Make a bad choice," The Dark Ace whispered. "I dare you."
The untamed anger of the Dark Ace was too much even for the guards, so they stood to one side as the Dark Ace drew back, and entered the chamber.
She was standing there, back to the door, peering out the window as she always did. The Dark Ace said nothing. He merely approached her side silently and joined her in gazing across the land. They stood side by side, silent and still for many minutes.
"I knew you'd return."
The Dark Ace turned to Cyclonis, still angry yet able to keep a proper check on his temper. "Of course you did. You are, after all, holding my rival hostage."
"Rival?" Cyclonis asked, face concealed under her hood and still looking out the window. "Why, Dark Ace, that almost sounds implied that he's your equal."
"You know what I meant," The Dark Ace scowled. "I heard it from the Night Crawlers so I know it's true. Let me finish him."
"Why should I?"
The Dark Ace was struck speechless for a moment by sheer surprise, but then he turned to frustration and his anger grew by even more. "Why should you?" The Dark Ace quoted with irritation. "How could you not? Think of all the battles we've faced against each other. I haven't given years of service to be shoved aside!"
"I didn't say you couldn't finish him," Cyclonis interrupted the Dark Ace's rant before he could embarrass himself even more. "I meant why should I kill him?"
Again the Dark Ace was temporarily muted by surprise. "What?" he almost yelled. "Why not? Think of what the Storm Hawks have put Cyclonia though! Take down Aerrow, and the Storm Hawks are finished! But you're telling me you're keeping him alive? Why?"
Cyclonis turned away from the window, still not showing the Dark Ace her face. "The Storm Hawks are destroyed as long as they are separated from their leader. Besides, there's still something nagging me regarding the knight. There's more research to be done. But I haven't the time to delve into details now. You miss things when you run off, Dark Ace."
The talon knew he was cornered. He couldn't be in on Cyclonis' plans and still choose to no longer serve her.
Cyclonis smiled. "Why are you here, Dark Ace?"
"I..." he didn't know what to say. Where else was there to go?
"Tell me Dark Ace," Cyclonis said, sitting on a throne-like chair at the side of the room. "Have you been feeling... different... lately?"
At this, the Dark Ace's eyes narrowed with suspicion. Did Cyclonis know something about the ...guilt... he felt? "I..." but there were still no words for it.
"Have you been feeling tired, dizzy, ...weak?"
Now the Dark Ace was a little confused. Yes, it was true. Lately he had not felt himself – like he was recovering from a bad case of the flu. But physical anomalies were the least of his worries right now... or so he thought. But did that mean that Cyclonis was clueless as to the real reason for the Dark Ace's discomfort? Silently, the Dark Ace vowed to himself to not tell Cyclonis about the... guilt.
"Yes..." the Dark Ace spoke slowly, sensing a trap. "So what of it? I've been through enough to justify it."
"Indeed," Cyclonis said with a carnivorous smile. "But that's not the reason why you feel the way you do."
The Dark Ace knew that if he were smart, he'd leave right then and there before the checkmate, but curiosity got the better of him, so he played into Cyclonis' hands. "What is the reason?"
"I told you that you were nothing without me," Cyclonis paused, enjoying every minute of her scheme. "I meant that literally."
"Literally?"
"You've felt the power of the Binding, have you not, Dark Ace? Pity you don't fully understand it, or you might actually have seen it coming. I feared you may had clued in when Piper became ill, but even then your blind obedience stopped you from seeing it. How convenient." The hood on Cyclonis' robe peeled back, and underneath was the face of not a girl, but a witch, insane with power and evil.
"The Binding is evil, Dark Ace. When I first started researching the Far Side, I found the Binding's true potential. But I also found that with all that power came a price. Someone has to pay – and it wasn't going to be me."
"What..." stammered the Dark Ace, now fully afraid of what sat before him. "What are you talking about?" Although he feared he already knew.
"The Binding preys upon its user. But after much work, I had it prey on you. My mastery is enough so that I've slowed the deterioration to a mere trickle, but leave now, and it'll rampage through you like a burst dam tearing apart the land. Basically, you have no choice – you never did. You belong to me."
"You..." the Dark Ace panted, lost for words at the sudden revelation. But then his fury ripped at the seams, and he ran to Cyclonis, meaning to attack. "YOU BITCH!"
Without batting an eye, Cyclonis pulled out her crystal staff and had the Dark Ace on the floor in seconds. She had aimed the crystal's power at his chest, and now he laid on the cold stone, teetering on the brink of unconsciousness. Cyclonis stepped down from her throne and placed a pointed shoe on the Dark Ace's chest, making him gasp in pain.
"You are a pawn." Cyclonis said. "You have always been a pawn. Even back when you were first recruited you were being deceived. You never meant anything to Cyclonia or to me. Once the Binding has completely destroyed you, I'll dispose of you as I see fit. You left your freedom behind when you chose to come into this line of work. A traitor doesn't deserve choices or freewill."
And without another word, Cyclonis left. The Dark Ace was devoid of strength, able only to lie on the floor and gasp painful ragged breaths. However, as the feeling of betrayal bore into his mind, he couldn't hold back an anguished yell into the empty, cold stone.