So.... it's the weekends, and I just finished my Chinese mid-term today. So now I have lots of time to update! Yay for updating! and also due to popular (kinda lol) request, here's the next chapter to Dance Away, Dance Away, Dance Away All! Please R&R!

Disclaimer: Storm Hawks (c) Nerd Corps and Ace Fipke

Chapter Five: Unveiling of the Royal Birthstone

"So… the name's Finn," Finn began, "You come here often?"

Angela chuckled, "What are you talking about? Of course not! I own a designer store on Terra Shoppers. I think you might have heard of it before, Angela's Designer Dresses?"

"Oh…" he replied, "Hey, two of my friends went there recently and received a free dress or something."

Suddenly, she started to get nervous. "S-So… you know them?" she stammered.

He smirked, "Yeah, my buddy Aerrow's the leader of the Storm Hawks. And Piper's the navigator and tactician of the team. Sometimes I think she can be a real snob."

"A-Are they any good? At fighting, I mean," she asked randomly.

"Yeah, Piper's a master at Sky Fu, and Aerrow's a really great Sky Knight. Personally, if Aerrow and Piper had a fight, I don't know who's win," he replied.

Angela gulped. If Master Cyclonis and the Dark Ace decide to execute their plan, then I know that Sky Knight will probably be on my tail for what's going to happen to that girl…

"Hello? Angela, hey, you okay?" Finn asked worriedly, swinging a hand in front of her face, breaking her out of her thoughts.

"Y-Yeah, everything's fine," she lied.

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Aerrow and Piper were keeping their eyes open for any signs of Master Cyclonis or the Dark Ace.

"See them?" the Sky Knight asked quietly, twirling Piper around.

"Not yet," she replied, "But they'll show up sooner or later. I just know it."

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At another place in the large ballroom, was a blonde girl in a long purple dress and a man in a dark-grey tux. They were dancing smoothly.

"Do you think this will work, Master Lark?" the man asked, tightening his grip on her hand.

"Of course, Larry. Do you doubt my plans?" Lark hissed back.

He hesitated. "No Master. I don't think the Storm Hawks will know what hit them," he replied honestly. His grip suddenly tightened around her waist, drawing her closer. "But Master, may I ask one thing?"

"Of course, Ace," she replied.

"Will that crystal affect Aerrow in any way?" he implored.

The 'blonde' shook her head. "Of course not, why do you ask?"

He grinned evilly. "I want to take him down myself."

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Suddenly, the music stopped, and everyone's attention was drawn to one side of the room, where a huge table was.

"Presenting the Master of Ceremonies, Lark and Larry Evans," a announcer called.

Two suspicious looking people came forward. One of them was Lark, aka Master Cyclonis, and the other one, Aerrow suspected, must be the Dark Ace.

"Welcome, one and all, to the Christmas Dress Ball!" Lark announced, grinning, "Larry and I are pleased to be your Masters of Ceremonies tonight."

"Now, we are here to present to you the Royal Birthstone, the crystal that could name the next king or queen of Atmos," 'Larry' added.

So the Master of Ceremonies are the Dark Ace and Master Cyclonis?!

Piper thought frantically. She turned to Aerrow beside her. "Aerrow, we've got to do something!" she hissed.

"I know," he replied, "But we can't be too rash, remember. Who knows how many of these people could also be Cyclonians? We'd be outnumbered."

A cart began to roll in from one side to the front of the table. A square glass case rested on top, covered with a large white cloth.

"I present to you, the Royal Birthstone!" Lark announced, taking the fabric and flipping it off the case.

Everyone in the crowd gasped in surprise. A floating golden crystal lay inside the glass case, a symbol etched onto the face of it.

Immediately, Aerrow and Piper drew out their weapons and pointed them at them.

"Give it up, Master Cyclonis!" Aerrow yelled, "Don't even think about stealing that crystal!"

Lark chuckled, then touched the necklace around her neck, and transformed back into Master Cyclonis. 'Larry' pulled out a Chroma Crystal from his pocket and dropped it, transforming back into the Dark Ace.

"I knew it," Piper hissed, "Everyone get out!"

Immediately, all of the guests ran out of the room, with the exception of Piper, Aerrow, Finn, Angela, Dark Ace, and Cyclonis.

Finn drew out his crossbow and stood protectively in front of Angela. "Angela, get out of here!" he ordered.

She looked guiltily at him but didn't move.

"Angela, I said get outta here!" he repeated, looking at her.

"Finn, I can't. I'm with them," she admitted, knocking his crossbow down and moving over towards Cyclonis and Dark Ace.

"W-What?!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide in disbelief, "Are you kidding me?!"

"W-Wait, you're that girl from that dress shop," Aerrow realized, "You were the one who gave us the dress!"

Cyclonis cackled, "And that's no ordinary dress! And this isn't the real Royal Birthstone either!" She activated the unknown crystal inside the glass case and suddenly the crystal choker around Piper's neck began to glow and construct, crushing Piper's windpipe.

Piper cringed and fell to her knees, her hands desperately trying to grasp at the choker, which was really choking her.

"Piper!" Aerrow exclaimed, dropping to her side and trying his best to help her. He turned to look at Cyclonis, desperation in his eyes. "Stop! You're killing her!" he cried.

Cyclonis snapped her fingers and the glowing stopped. Piper fell onto her side, gasping for air. The Dark Ace smiled as Aerrow went by her side, trying to help remove the necklace, but for some reason, now it wouldn't budge.

"Well… it seems you're not invincible after all, Aerrow," he teased, "I know what your weakness is now."

Aerrow growled, reaching for his energy blades.

"Don't even think about it," Cyclonis warned, "That's not all that crystal can do."

This time, the Dark Ace clapped his hands twice, and jolts of electricity coursed through Piper's body. She cried out in agony.

"Stop it!" Aerrow howled, "Please, just stop hurting her."

The Dark Ace clapped his hands again and the electricity stopped. Piper began heaving deep breaths.

"A-Aerrow…" she rasped weakly.

"Piper," he mumbled affectionately, grasping her hand tightly, "I'll get you outta this somehow, I promise."

Cyclonis chuckled, "You can try, Aerrow. But you know, one wrong move, and I can kill her right here."

The Sky Knight gritted his teeth in frustration. Finn stood there helpless, as his crossbow was knocked to the other side of the room.

Come on!

Aerrow thought desperately, I've gotta think of something and quick! Piper's life is at stake here! If I make one wrong move… He looked down at Piper,

I'm going to lose her…

Oooo... more cliffies! yay cliffies! Please R&R!

Btw, I hope I'm not being too mean to Piper. Just wait till you see what ELSE is going to happen to her. (poor Aerrow might get nightmares from this)