So so sorry this took so long! I have valid excuses! And um, holy crap lookit the word count! (Am I forgiven?)
The Sky Knights and their squadrons were all packed into the Council Hall. They huddled together in little groups, no one straying far from their teammates. Silence hung in the air with near physical weight; most of them had heard the Council's official explanation, a few of them could guess why exactly they were there.
"As some of you may have gathered, the Sky Knight Aerrow of the Storm Hawks has not been affected merely by a crystal" Oliver said, breaking the silence into a thousand shards, "it is something much worse. You don't need all the facts, but what I shall tell you is enough. Aerrow, through a series of deeply related incidents, has come under the influence of a Dark being. He is extremely dangerous and is not to be engaged unless the Storm Hawks are present. From what we can gather he is still really weak; use caution for even in his weakest moment he can still overpower any of you. He will use you to try to further his own strength so…try not to let him. If he attacks you, your best bet would be to fly here immediately; the Aurora Stone repels the Darkness."
"So…what exactly are we supposed to do if we find him? You said don't attack and if he attacks to run…?" someone from within the crowd asked.
Oliver sighed, rubbed his temple with his right hand, "Just…report his position, call the Storm Hawks or myself and fall back. There's not much we can do as of yet. I need more time to figure some things out."
"Why do the Storm Hawks need to be there? They're just children-"
"First of all," the Head of Council cut in, stopping Harrier mid-sentence, "Aerrow is their Sky Knight and friend, they know him better than anyone and no doubt the Darkness will employ any knowledge of Aerrow's useful to it. Secondly, the Storm Hawks are as connected to this story as Aerrow is. I will not explain myself further."
There was blast of static from a radio laying on one of the desks in the corner of the room, cutting off another question.
"Sir, he's here," the voice shouted through the static, faint screams decipherable in the background, "Aerrow! He's…he's doing things to people! Everyone's running around screaming crazy things! No one's making any sense! Those of us left are all hiding in-"
"Wherever you're currently hiding we'll find you," Oliver spoke, lifting the speaker from its cradle, "you need to tell us what Terra you're on!"
"Terra Rex! Please, you have to hurry! He'll find us any-" the transmission cut off for a moment, then came back more static prone than before, "Hello? Hello? Is anyone there?"
"Yes, calm down. I'm still here. We're sending a Squadron to Rex now-"
"Hello? Please! Is anyone there? Someone answer me…oh no! He's here!" they heard the sound of the radio speaker hitting some hard surface, "NO! Please! Leave me alone! Don't-!" the man screamed. It was long and drawn out, full of agony; it sent shivers down the spines of everyone in the room.
There was a beat of silence as the connection vanished.
"Everyone will return to their home Terras. Mount a defense as best you can, mental as well as physical. Prepare the people for what's coming, but do not, under any circumstances, admit the truth about Aerrow. Storm Hawks, Rex Guardians, set course for Terra Rex. Do what you can."
"I know this is deathly serious and all," Finn said, resting his elbows on the bridge table, "but why do I get the feeling we're the guinea pigs?"
"Probably because we are, technically," Piper answered, looking up from the strange green book, "We're going to be the first ones fighting Aerrow…er, the Darkness…uh, Darkness-Aerrow? Never mind. The Head of Council's right. We do know Aerrow best and we do have the greatest chance of surviving an attack from him…it…uh, them."
"What do you think he meant when he said 'we are as connected to this story as Aerrow is?'"
"Um…I have absolutely no idea. You know, we should probably be coordinating with the Rex Guardians instead of asking pointless questions we can't answer. Stork, try and get them on the radio, tell them its okay to land on the Condor."
He did so and soon the regal Guardians strode onto the bridge, led by Harrier, his chin held high.
"Storm Hawks," he greeted, his voice pompous as ever, but lacking its previous animosity.
"Thanks Harrier. Well, we were just talking and we thought we'd better have a plan before we get to Rex. Any suggestions?" Piper said, standing up and closing the book.
The Sky Knight shook his head, "However, we would like some more information on what's happened, if you will."
"Well, Harrier…it's exactly what the Head of Council told you happened: Aerrow's being controlled by a Darkness."
"No one has explained how. But you know, don't you?"
"Only sort of, I guess…its kinda confusing…" Piper looked up from wringing her hands, saw that the Guardians weren't going to accept that answer, "okay, well-"
The ship gave a sudden, violent lurch, sending everyone crashing to the floor. It gave Piper a way out of her explanation; she turned to the pilot, "Stork what was that?"
"I'm not sure," he said, turning to look at the radar scanner, "nothing on the scopes. It's probably any number of horrible things! Like-"
"Okay Stork," Piper interrupted, "we get the point. It was probably just a crosswind. Anyway it gave me an idea. Here's the plan: after we find Aerrow and do a little recon, the Rex Guardians will fly out behind him while we go face to face. Once he's surrounded we'll try to immobilize him. I still have a bunch of Paralyzer stones in my room, everyone grab a few and we'll do this…as soon as we get to Rex anyway. Any objections? Anyone other than Stork? No? Great!"
They flew in relative silence the rest of the way, the two squadrons keeping to themselves.
"We're here" Stork announced some time later.
"Good. Keep below the top of the Terra; we don't want Aerrow to see us. Finn and I are going to go do some recon in the city, see if we can find him."
"We may have been told to work with you," Harrier said, "but that doesn't mean you can order us around. Are we just supposed to sit here and wait until you summon us?"
"I'm sorry Harrier, you're right. We should be working together. But we do need as few people as possible to scout…how about you come with us and the rest of your squadron can prepare with Junko, Stork and Radarr in case we need help?"
He folded his arms across his chest, leaning back on one heel and looked at her appraisingly; "If we must."
0o0o
She crouched behind a long-fallen tree on the edge of the city, Finn and Harrier hiding behind similar pieces of debris. Piper rested her elbows on the log, holding a set of peepers to her eyes. She swept her eyes back and forth, surveying the chaos she couldn't quite believe…People were running everywhere, screaming and attacking anyone they came into contact with. A few people were sitting perfectly still, staring at the scenes before them or, she thought, through them. Two or three buildings seemed to have caught fire but no one paid the flames any attention. She lowered the peepers and turned to Finn; her eyes met his and she understood the disbelieving fear she saw in them.
"Aerrow did this?"
She shook her head, "the Darkness did this. Come on, I don't think he's here. Let's check the other end of town."
They crept through the back alleys, avoiding most of the people in the city. Anyone they did meet paid them not the slightest attention, running from their own invisible or imagined demons.
"See anything?" Piper asked, stopping at the edge of a building, laying a hand on the corner.
Finn shook his head, lowered his crossbow from peering around. Harrier motioned likewise, checking around the corner. He pulled back sharply throwing his hands out to block the woman who was suddenly in front of him. He caught her by the shoulders and she stopped, staring up into his eyes,
"Have you seen him?" she cried, "Have you seen my son? I can't find him! Help me find him!"
"Wait, hold on! You mean this kid here?" Finn asked her as a small boy ran up to them crying "Mom!"
The woman whirled around, her eyes scanned the brick corridor, "Where?"
"Here" he said, pushing the boy out in front of her.
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" she was suddenly furious, "My boy is missing and you're passing off a couple of shadows as my son? If you won't help me than-"
She ran off again, screaming what could only be her son's name, the terrified, confused and almost hysterical boy following after her.
"Um…I guess this is what that guy meant by everyone screaming crazy things-"
"There!" Piper shouted, seeing what looked like a flash of black lightening and pointing to the Stadium visible over the tops of the houses, "that'd be our best bet for finding Aerrow. Come on!"
She didn't wait for an answer, took off running, the others hurrying after. They slowed as they got to the stadium doors, running crouched down, weapons held at the ready. Pausing in front of the door, Piper looked Finn, "He's got to be in here. Call it in."
She turned to Harrier, "You ready?"
He nodded in affirmation, tightening his grip on his old-fashioned sword. Piper slipped her slender fingers through the crack between the doors, pulling one open a fraction; she peeked through, saw nothing. Opening the door a tiny bit farther she stuck her shoulders through to get clear view of the entire stadium; she saw nothing. Dejectedly she sat back, letting the door swing shut, "I was wrong. He's not there. Let's search somewhere else."
All three of them stood up, disappointed but still determined, they turned to leave and froze.
"Going so soon?" Aerrow had his arms folded across his chest, glaring at them, blocking the way out. They scrambled backwards, falling through the double doors, weapons temporarily forgotten. Finn and Piper stumbled into the stadium grounds, running far away from the doors to get a better vantage point while they waited for the Condor; they whipped around, staff and crossbow out and ready to fire. Piper gasped, Harrier was on the ground in front of the doors and, halfway across the stadium, neither she nor Finn could get to him before Aerrow did!
Harrier looked up from where he'd fallen on the ground, he silently cursed his instinctive reaction to run; running never helped anyone. He searched around with his eyes, spotting his sword in the dirt just out of his reach. The doors burst open before he could move and Aerrow strode in, staring maliciously at the blonde haired Sky Knight who had nothing to defend himself with.
"Hello, Harrier," Aerrow said darkly, walking ever closer.
Harrier's eyes went wide and then he jumped to his feet, lunging for his sword. He grabbed the leather-covered handle and spun around and up, throwing out the sword in front of him to ward off any attack from the 'boy.' But Aerrow wasn't in front of him any more; he felt a hand on his shoulder. He resisted the urge to scream as the armour under the hand froze, sending waves of cold pain through his entire shoulder; Aerrow pushed down and, responding to the pressure-pain, Harrier crumpled to his knees.
"Brave, proud, and stubborn…fearless?" the Darkness said, his voice still partly Aerrow's. He closed his eyes, melted the ice, and stepped fully behind the man, placed his other hand on Harrier's other shoulder. He leaned in close to the man's head,
"What's Harrier's greatest fear?" he asked rhetorically, "What's this big secret he keeps locked away? You know Sky Knight they say a break from reality is good for the soul; how about a vacation, a permanent little trip down Memory Lane?"
Terra Rex, ~27 years previous Age of Heroes, Harrier POV
He was 10, the 'big one-oh' as everyone said. He didn't get what was so special about it. Yes he was a year older, but 10 was still just a number. Just a number…
He raced along the dirt track at the edge of the wood, trees on one side, a small stretch of field and then endless sky on the other. Harrier held a new toy skimmer at arms length, letting it ride the small breeze created by his running.
He laughed and shouted, maneuvering his skimmer around imaginary friends and enemies, shouting orders and tactical advice, making shooting noises with his mouth.
What he wouldn't give to really be able to fly. As he ran his mind superimposed another image over the familiar earth; he was on his own skimmer, the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Around him flew four other people on similar, though less regal rides.
'My own squadron,' he thought. 'Someday I'll be a Sky Knight, I'll be a protector. I'll give the people of this Terra the safety they deserve for generations! Until I'm blind from old age! Until I can't fly anymore! The Cyclonians won't dare tangle with me!'
All of a sudden his fantasy disappeared, sending him crashing back to reality like a broken skimmer; he smacked into the large, slightly muscled chest of the last person he'd ever want to save as a Sky Knight. It was Markus, with his ever present gang hanging behind him.
"Well what have we here? The little wannabe Sky Knight with a baby toy, aren't you a little old for that?" the older boy jeered.
His gang of five smirked behind him, nudging each other in anticipation. Harrier glared up at him, this twelve year old boy who'd been bullying him forever, "What do you want Markus?"
He laughed, "You're ten now Harrier, you know what that means? It means you're able to join our gang."
He wasn't expecting that of all things; he could only stare incredulously up at the bully. And apparently Markus' cronies weren't either,
"What?"
"No! You can't-"
Markus held up a hand, they all stopped.
"So?" he asked Harrier, "You in? You'll have to go through an initiation first of course" he said, grinning threateningly.
Harrier raised an eyebrow, clutched tightly to the toy skimmer, "No thanks," he turned to leave.
"Oh. Of course; I should have known you'd be too scared to even hear what you had to do. My bad."
He whipped around, "I'm not scared!"
"Then you'll do it, no matter what 'it' is?"
Harrier glared for a moment, then nodded, "I'll show you! I'm not scared; I can do anything you ask me to!"
Markus smirked, "Fine. I'll show you what you need to do. Follow me."
0o0o
"You want me to what?"
"You said you could do it. You been lying to me, Harrier? You too scared?"
"No! It's just…this is wrong."
"You can give it back later if you want, but you have to steal first. Prove to me you're not a coward."
Harrier clenched his fists, staring into the dark, gaping pit that was a storm cellar. The light only penetrated as far as the first few steps…he didn't like the dark.
One of the boys shoved a flashlight at him; Harrier gripped it and, with everyone watching, crept down the stairs. It was pitch black, the beam from the flashlight tiny and focused and, despite all his attempts not to he began to imagine all of the things that could be in there, waiting to reach out and grab him.
'Just grab it and get out' he said to himself, 'there's nothing in here but me, just grab it and get out...'
He swung the flashlight around, aiming it over dusty shelves and neatly stacked boxes, his heart pounding in his chest. He moved farther into the cellar, peeking into boxes and looking up and down the shelves, around glass bottles filled with preserves, looking for the stupid thing that Markus wanted.
"Hey!" there was a muffled shout from outside, it sounded like a grown man's voice, "You kids get away from there!"
"RUN!" Markus yelled, leading the others in the ensuing flight. With no one to hold it open, the heavy door slammed shut, locking Harrier in, other than the beam of the flashlight, total darkness. He screamed. And screamed again, clutching the flashlight to his chest, waiting for Markus to come back and get him or the man to hear him and rescue him; but Markus was the bully-coward, he didn't come back, and the cellar was a storm cellar, deep under ground; the man heard nothing. When he couldn't scream any longer, though still too afraid to move, Harrier reduced to whimpering in between great gasping breaths. Soon after, the light began to flicker, and eventually quit completely.
He was found late the next afternoon when the man came in to look for a jar of pickled something, laying on the floor, curled into a fetal position, great sobs wracking his little body.
"I won't break another rule ever, I promise," he kept whispering through the sobbing.
It took weeks for him to get over that experience that first time, but now he was being forced to relive it again and again until the Darkness let him go.
Present Day
Piper stared across the stadium; Aerrow's, no, the Darkness' words had been spoken too quietly for her to hear, she couldn't tell what was happening. She wished she hadn't dropped the peepers at the entrance door when she fell through but there was nothing she could do about that now; she turned to Finn,
"What's he doing?"
Finn had the crossbow's scope up to his eye, "I don't really know. It looks like he's just talking to him," he reported, confused. He adjusted the scope, "No…Harrier's not moving! And he looks scared, really scared."
Piper whipped her head back to the small figures, "We have to do something, we can't just stand here!"
"Piper! It'll kill all of us! We have to wait for the Condor."
"No-" she stepped forward, about to run to help their older friend when he screamed. Piper, already having been frightened before, freaked, "SHOOT! Shoot him Finn!"
"I can't shoot Aerrow!"
"He's not Aerrow! Shoot him!"
Harrier screamed again, strengthening Finn's resolve; he whipped his crossbow into position, took careful aim, and pulled the trigger. The energy bolt soared through the air with ease, Finn's aim dead-on. The bolt hit Aerrow's shoulder, sending him reeling backwards and away from Harrier; the Rex Guardian slumped to ground and lay still. Even across the stadium with nothing to magnify her sight, Piper saw the bolt hit Aerrow's shoulder, but she hated more what she saw next; the blue energy crackled and jumped like lightening over his skin and his shoulder seemed to glow. But then the glow stopped, seemed to be sucked into faint black aura around Aerrow.
Not good.
The Darkness turned to look directly at Finn; he ignored Harrier's unconscious body and started toward them.
"I told you!" Finn whimpered.
"Finn, this is no time to be a coward." Piper said, feeling strangely calm.
"Coward? I'm not a coward! My fear is completely reasonable! You saw what just happened!"
She turned to look back at Aerrow, still coming toward them; he was smiling now, but not the kind of smile she was used to seeing on his usually kind face. She shivered and fear worked its way back into her brain.
"Y'know, maybe it would be a good idea to run."
The problem is, she thought, there was her, and there was Finn and there was the door that was on the opposite side from where they were. If they spilt up, one of them was bound to be hurt.
Piper grabbed Finn's wrist and started backing up, pulling him with her as she headed for the bleachers, ready to use them as an escape if she needed to. She froze when her hand encountered the cool surface of the wall; no where to run, her other hand tightened around the staff.
"Hello Finn, Piper" the Darkness growled at them.
She felt Finn tense and braced herself as well narrowing her eyes almost to slits, not quite ready to take pain without some sort of warning. With her eyes almost shut, her hearing seemed stronger, she heard her heart's frantic beating, could almost hear Finn's; and then heard the most wonderful sound. Her eyes popped open,
"Hello Condor!" she breathed, as the giant airship flew over them.
Aerrow turned to glare up at the ship, at the two skimmers flying in circles around it; they dove down. Finn took the Darkness' distraction and used it, shoving Piper forward and running with her out to where Harrier lay in the dirt. He heard Aerrow behind them, and then crystal shots being fired.
One of the skimmers landed in front of them and Junko hopped off, scooping up the unconscious Sky Knight and yelling at the others to jump on. Once seated Junko took off, Harrier slumped in the seat behind him, and flew straight into the Condor's hangar.
The Darkness stared up at the ship, enraged. He thought he'd destroyed it but this was just as well; there were now twice as many people on board and if the ship was that strong he could do this over and over until it did break. However…
He jumped, using his newly obtained energy to keep himself up and faced the ship head on. He spoke quietly but he knew they would hear him,
"Come and face me. Running will do you no good for soon my power will be replenished and it shall encompass your entire world."
Two skimmers and a heliscooter flew out to meet him; Piper, Junko and Finn.
"What did you do with Aerrow?" Piper shouted at him.
"I killed him" he answered simply.
"But the Councilman said you didn't kill anyone!"
"Aerrow was my one exception. He died for keeping me prisoner, for helping Fabian. You should know it was even more painful than usual; his screams were deliciously heartbreaking." He laughed.
All three gasped, tears springing forward, spilling onto their cheeks unhindered by pride or disbelief. Then the Darkness turned, leaving their pain to fester on its own and flew off on his next personal mission.
Crap ending perhaps, anyone guess what comes next? It seems I've upped the dial on 'evil' here didn't I? Apology? *debates* hm...no. ;)