So... I thought I'd update it. Hmm... with all the drama, this chapter (I find anyways) very dramatic. lol. I'm thinking I could either kill Piper off or let her live... hmm... well... the poll-y type question will be at the veerrrryyy bottom. lol. Hope you likey! Please R&R!

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

Chapter Six: Choices

"What else do you want, Master Cyclonis?" Aerrow spat acidly, "You already have the Royal Birthstone."

The Goth girl smiled, drawing out her crystal staff. "To see you suffer. And to destroy the Storm Hawks," she replied, "But, I'll give you one chance to save your little Piper there. Fight me in a one-on-one duel. If you win, I'll let Piper go. If you lose, Piper dies."

"Aerrow! Don't do it, man!" Finn shouted.

"Finn's right. How do I know that you won't kill Piper even if I do win?" the Sky Knight challenged.

"Well… you're just going to have to trust us," the Dark Ace replied simply. He walked up to them and pulled Piper up onto her feet and dragged her over beside Master Cyclonis, where he forced her onto her knees and drew out his energy sword. Aerrow glared as he watched the blade light up with a bloody light and held it near Piper's throat.

"Well? What's your decision?" Cyclonis taunted.

Aerrow stood up. "I'll fight," he said.

"Don't do it, Aerrow!" Piper shouted, which resulted in getting slapped by Cyclonis.

"Quiet! If you value your lives, you'll say nothing," she hissed, snapping her fingers.

Suddenly, dozens of Cyclonians stormed the ballroom, and they all held crystal staffs, pointing them threateningly at Finn and Aerrow.

"Angela! Why don't you do something?!" Finn yelled.

The blonde looked down. "My duty is to Master Cyclonis. There is nothing I can do," she replied.

Cyclonis walked over to Aerrow, picking up his blades and handing them to him. "Here, I at least want to defeat you in a fair fight."

He glared. "You're never going to get away with this," he threatened.

She cackled, "I don't think you're in the position to be making threats here." She pointed her staff at him. "Now, let's begin our duel."

Immediately, Aerrow's eyes narrowed as he jumped into the air and struck his blades against her staff and was sent flying back.

She's gotten stronger, he thought, If things keep going in this direction… He blocked several quick blows, I'm going to lose.

Suddenly, Junko broke through the wall and bashed through a hoard of Cyclonians, knocking Finn's crossbow back over to him. "Need help, good buddy?" he asked him.

"Yeah! Thanks Junko!" the blonde sharpshooter replied, taking aim and beginning to shoot his arrows, disarming some Cyclonian troops.

Cyclonis screamed in frustration and glared at a grinning Aerrow.

"Looks like things have changed," he said.

"But I still have one thing to overpower you," she reminded him, turning to Piper, who was still held captive by the Dark Ace.

"You wouldn't," Aerrow hissed.

She smirked. "I would, and I will," she announced, running over to the Dark Ace.

Aerrow pursued her at once.

"Now!" Cyclonis yelled, and the Dark Ace blasted a hole in the wall, revealing the night sky.

"No!" Aerrow screamed as the Dark Ace slit Piper's lower neck, letting her fall from his grasp onto the cold floor. Blood began to pool around her neck.

In cold fury, the redhead chased the Dark Ace and Cyclonis out of the building, while Radarr, who dodged all of the Cyclonians' feet, scrambled over to Piper's side. He quickly checked her pulse, she was still alive, but just barely. The furry blue co-pilot looked around, and saw that all of the Cyclonians had been defeated.

"That's one for the Storm Hawks," Finn proclaimed, doing his infamous 'Chica-cha'.

"We did it!" Junko cheered.

Radarr squawked, drawing their attention to Piper and the red pool around her.

"Piper!" Finn called, and both he and Junko ran over and dropped to their friend's side.

"Where's Aerrow?" Junko asked frantically.

"I-I don't know. He ran after Master Cyclonis and the Dark Ace," the blonde replied. He looked around. So, Angela left too…

"We've got to stop the bleeding," Junko said, ripping the white cloth of the table and pressing it gently against Piper's neck.

Now they only hoped that it wasn't too late for her.

xXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Outside, Aerrow continued to pursue the Dark Ace and Cyclonis. Fury could be seen in his eyes. He had just watched the Cyclonians slay the only one he loved with his whole heart, and now he was desperate for revenge.

"Dark Ace!" he shouted angrily, "Come back here!"

The Dark Ace turned to Cyclonis and Angela. "You two go on ahead. I'll deal with Aerrow myself," he told them, turning around and holding his energy sword defensively.

"How dare you…" Aerrow hissed, eyes blazing with cold anger, "How dare you just slay my best friend and turn on your heels like the coward you are… Do you have any idea what you've just done?!"

The Dark Ace smiled. "I got rid of part of the problem," he replied, smirking.

This made Aerrow even angrier. "You just murdered my one true love!" he screamed, attacking blindly, taking the Dark Ace by complete surprise.

So this is Aerrow when he's furious, the Cyclonian commander thought, He should most definitely be a Talon, like he'd ever agree to that.

Suddenly, it surprised the Dark Ace to see tears in Aerrow's eyes as he fought and slashed blindly. It surprised him so much that he fell back onto his behind. Aerrow had his blades pointed threateningly at him. Tears dripped from his eyes onto the ground below.

"A-Aerrow…" the Dark Ace hissed.

The Sky Knight turned away as tears continued to stream down his face, gripping his energy blades tightly. "I-I won't kill you. I know Piper wouldn't want that… So for her… I'll let you live… But I will take back the Royal Birthstone,"

Reluctantly, the Dark Ace handed him the golden crystal from his pocket. He knew that if he tried anything rash, Aerrow would most likely end up killing him. The Sky Knight took the crystal and gripped it tightly in his hand before slipping it into his pocket. Then without another word, he began to walk back towards the building.

The Cyclonian commander stood up and stared after the redhead. "So… that's what it must feel like to lose someone important to you," he mumbled to himself, "I better prepare myself for the next time I meet Aerrow in battle." Then he walked away towards his Switchblade Elite, letting his defeat wash over him.

Meanwhile, Aerrow walked back quietly through the hole in the wall. He saw his team all kneeling on the floor over Piper. Her eyes were closed and her body was motionless.

"Piper!" he yelled, hoping that it just wasn't too late and that the dreadful feeling he was getting was wrong.

Oooo... cliffy again. lol. I sure is evil with all sortsa cliffies all over the place. lol.

Now... question for all people who read this, should I make it a happy ending? sad ending? or don't end this fanfic just yet? (and you're not allowed to say it's my choice. lol.)

Please R&R!