Well... I thought I'd update, cause it's very exciting. Anyways, this chapter is Aerrow angst/torture. lol. Hope you likey! Thanks to all of those reviewers out there who've reviewed past chapters!!!! Much appreciated! Please R&R!

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

Chapter Seven: A Storm Hawk's Decision

"Piper!" Aerrow yelled, running over to the group.

"She's still alive," Junko reassured.

Finn's bright blue eyes dimmed. "But she's not going to make it," he whispered.

"No!" the redhead screamed, dropping to her side, taking her into his arms, "Piper… wake up…"

Her tangerine eyes half-opened and she stared up into Aerrow's eyes. A bloody cloth was bound around where the Dark Ace cut her. "Aerrow…" she rasped, "I'm sorry."

"Why? Don't speak like that. You're going to be fine," Aerrow said.

Suddenly, Stork ran in from the front doors, panting. "I've got that crystal analyzed. It's a Torture Stone, and the wearer is doomed to die from the poison released by the crystal upon the first activation," he explained hurriedly.

There was an awkward silence as the words sank in.

"No…" Aerrow choked, "NO!"

Piper reached up to touch his face with a gloved hand. "It's okay, Aerrow. I'm ready. Just let me go, okay?"

He shook his head furiously. "No, Piper, it's not okay. I'm not willing to let you go," he refused.

"Yeah, he's right. We still need you," Finn agreed.

"You're an important member of our team," Junko added.

Radarr whimpered in agreement.

Piper closed her eyes and smiled. "I know you'll do fine without me. Atmos still needs the Storm Hawks," she sighed.

Aerrow gently kissed her, pressing his forehead against hers. "Yeah, all of them."

She stared into his eyes. "You're so stubborn, Aerrow," she muttered, "and I love you."

"I love you too," he replied back.

"Goodbye, Storm Hawks," she sighed, "I'll miss you all, even you, Finn."

Finn forced a smiled, trying to keep from crying.

Piper looked up into her Sky Knight's eyes. "And I'll miss you most of all, Aerrow," she whispered. Her eyes closed for the last time, and with a final sigh, her body went rigid.

Aerrow felt his navigator go still, and immediately he knew she was dead. He shook her gently, trying to suppress the emotion building up inside.

"She's gone, Aerrow," Stork stated quietly.

The Sky Knight shook his head stubbornly. Tears leaked from his emerald eyes and fell onto Piper's dress. "No! No! No!" he yelled, "Piper! Piper please! Wake up! Please, just open your eyes!" His yells turned into cried, which then turned into sobs. He sobbed endlessly into Piper's shoulder as she lay dead on the side of the large ballroom.

Moments later, Junko burst into reckless sobs, and Finn hugged him, tears leaking from his own blue eyes. Radarr cried and huddled close against Aerrow and Piper, knowing how much chemistry there was between them. Stork bowed his head and sniffled, tears dripping from his face. He knew that Piper's body could hold so many different infections, but he didn't care. Piper had been a wonderful friend, comrade and ally.

I've lost the only girl I could ever love, Aerrow thought, I could have prevented it all. If only I hadn't confronted the Dark Ace and Cyclonis. If only I had suspected Angela from the start. Then maybe Piper would still be here, alive, with me.

He lifted her body into his arms and began to walk out of the ballroom.

"A-Aerrow?" Finn asked worriedly, drying tears from his own eyes.

The redhead didn't look back, and kept his eyes downcast. "Come on, guys. We should get going. We need to return the Royal Birthstone to Terra Atmosia," he ordered bluntly, letting no emotion show through, "Piper would have wanted it." His voice broke when he mentioned Piper's name.

"What happened to the Dark Ace?" Stork inquired.

"Escaped," he half-lied, walking out. The rest of the Storm Hawks followed with heavy hearts.

They boarded the Condor and took off. Aerrow laid Piper on her bed in her room, then stood on the deck of the Condor, staring up into the midnight sky, which was covered in stars. Tears streamed down his face as he felt a part of him die inside with Piper's death.

Up there in the skies, Aerrow knew, a single bright star died out.

First of all, this chapter is called "A Storm Hawk's Decision" because it's Piper's decision that she's ready to leave the Storm Hawks and move on. But the truth is, she doesn't want to leave as much as Aerrow wants either, but she knows there's no other way. Angst, much?

By the way, please don't kill me for killing Piper off. I tell you all now: SHE'LL COME BACK! Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter (not to mention get all the personalities right...)

Sorry this chapter is so short. I didn't want Aerrow to suffer too much angst of losing Piper...

Please R&R!