Chapter 5: Harry.

"You're weak!" Cyclonis hissed as she eyed Piper. The young woman was coughing hard; her slim, delicate figure curling into a tight ball as she squeezed her eyelids shut. "Weakness that could have been prevented-" She cut off to squeeze the crystal harder, causing Piper's screams to ring loudly in the air. "-If you'd just joined me when I offered it."

"I would never…" Piper coughed hard, tensing as her insides screamed at her. "Never join you, you twisted freak-" She cut off, gasping in pain as she felt her throat on fire.

"Watch how you talk," Cyclonis stated calmly. "Now-

"-Master Cyclonis!"

Dark Ace turned to glare at the Cyclonian, who seemed to shrink back with fear at the Ace's gaze.

"We gave strict orders not to be disturbed," Dark Ace snapped at him, his hand on his blade, but Cyclonis lay a hand on his shoulder.

"Peace, Dark Ace," She said softly. "What is the problem here?" She asked the Cyclonian, who seemed to be shaking. He cleared his throat.

"Master Cyclonis, we've tracked the Storm Hawks-

"-We knew they'd be on the way. How does this concern me?"

"Your Majesty, they're gathering all of the sky knights and their squadrons to lead here."

Dark Ace growled. Cyclonis, however, remained calm, turning to cast a thoughtful look at Piper, who's eyes had widened at the news.

"Dark Ace, take our... guest to your chambers. She might prove a little useful there. I'm done… for now." Cyclonis finished with a smirk, watching as comprehension dawned on the Dark Ace's face.

Dark Ace turned to the young woman, who looked shocked and terrified. Piper let out a groan and shook her head fiercely, trying to back away, but she was too weak. Dark Ace's eyes roamed her before nodding at Cyclonis. Bending over, he swept and lifted the fragile girls into his arms, his dark eyes searching hers. As if to tell her he would do nothing more.

Yet.

Piper tried to protest, but found herself staring straight back into the Dark Ace's eyes. His gaze frightened yet compelled her to look right back at him, she was curious to know what he found so fascinating… curious to know why he was looking at her the way he was…

They were at his room. The two cyclonian guards widened their eyes at the sight but immediately proceeded to open the door when the Dark Ace growled at them.

He didn't like to be kept waiting.

He set Piper down, who immediately registered the fact that she was on his immensely big bed. She felt a wave of terror hit her and her head snapped up to look at the Dark Ace pleadingly.

"Please... don't." She whispered.

He looked at her before turning abruptly, running his hand through his hair as he walked away. He got to his bathroom door, and then paused, before turning back to look at the young, beautiful woman, knowing she was scared.

But also knowing she was the enemy.

"I have to." He said simply, before opening the door and leaving her.

Alone.


Aerrow looked up at them. They all stared back, waiting. They didn't know quite what to say.

Truth be told, he had no idea either.

Finn lay a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to acknowledge it; he couldn't quite manage a thanks.

But he knew Finn would understand.

He turned back to them, opening his mouth. No sound came out. He shook his head, trying again.

"Need help to... to help her," He croaked. "Please."

The Sky Knight council nodded slowly.

"When she returns, you two will be in grave trouble." One of them looked down at Aerrow solemnly.

Aerrow nodded.

"I know."


Piper looked around, trying to spot an exit.

Her heart sunk when she realised she was trapped.

Dark Ace had come back. He walked over to her, his eyes darkening. She shrunk back, feeling her hands tremble as he stepped closer, his hand reaching out…

He had a damp towel in his hand. He gave her a small, weak smile of amusement before wiping the blood from her face.

Piper felt herself relax as the coolness of the towel seemed to melt away the burning sensations she had been experiencing.

But she still didn't trust him. So her eyes never shut.

He leaned in, his breath tickling her cheek as he nuzzled her cheek with his nose.

"Are you scared of me?" He murmured, watching her as she hugged her knees weakly.

Piper turned her head to look at him, taken aback at the gentle tone of his voice.

"No," She tried her best to sound firm, but knew it wasn't enough. Dark Ace chuckled.

"Are you scared of me?" He repeated, the towel dropping from his hand as he skimmed a rough finger down her soft cheek. She winced- he was tracing a bright red cut, his touch burnt her and caused her eardrums to pound loudly in her ears. The Dark Ace stopped, only to lift her face with his fingers: they rested gently under her chin.

"Tell me." He commanded, edging closer.

She felt uncomfortable as his eyes roamed her. He was behaving...weirdly. She felt his eyes on her face and forced herself to speak.

"No, I'm not afraid of you, Dark Ace. Take your hands off me." She hissed, pulling away from his touch.

Dark Ace snapped his head up at that.

Damn it. He felt idiotic for appearing soft with the girl. He shook his head, as if shaking out the goodness from him, and turned to her, a hard look on his face.

That's why i operate alone.

"Lie back."


"I will not lie back and rest!" Aerrow knocked off Starlings' hand, sitting up on the bed. "I need to be out there-

"-You need to be rested, so you can command your Team, Aerrow! Now stop arguing. We're doing our best- we will find Piper. But we can't do that if you're overtired."

Aerrow sighed, and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sorry," he muttered, feeling slightly ashamed.

Starling smiled.

"I know you are, Aerrow. I know."


"Most of you is broken." Dark Ace muttered as he loomed over Piper, his eyes lingering on her fragile body. "Yet so beautiful..."

"Don't touch me," She hissed at him. His eyes narrowed. He leaned down to whisper into her ear.

"Or what?"

Piper glared at him. Dark Ace started to chuckle again, but stopped abruptly- Pipers eyes seemed to be brightening as the more of her seemed to come alive. He felt his breath catch in his throat painfully and sat up quickly, backing away from her.

Piper frowned slightly as he turned away, hearing his breaths turned ragged and short.

"You…" Dark Ace rubbed his eyes, his hands in his hair. "You…"

"I what?" Piper frowned. She felt nothing towards him: no sympathy, no respect, no nothing.

Yet she found her tiny hand on his shoulder.

"What is it?" She asked, alarmed. She did not care for the Dark Ace, but all that was aside when she realised there was truly something wrong with him. He was shaking; his breaths becoming shorter and faster…

All because of her.

"GUARDS!" He yelled, jumping up as he felt Piper's hand. He did not need sympathy. He did not need anything. He operated alone: he always would.

Alone is the only way in life.

The two cyclonian guards burst in, puzzled at the scene. Dark Ace didn't bother to turn around.

"Get her a spare room." He told them abruptly, before storming past and slamming the door on his way out.

The guards puzzled expressions matched Piper's.


"Aw, come on, Harry!" The girl spun around in circles as she laughed up into the sky, the sun hitting her soft face: her eyes glittering prettily.

Her amber eyes.

Harry chuckled, scratching his neck as the girl pulled his arm, trying to get him to join her. He rolled his eyes.

"You're such a child sometimes."

"Being a child is being free," She put a finger over his lips, her eyes shining with excitement. He felt himself soften as she giggled, pulling him a little harder. "Come on!"

He smiled at her, shaking his head. She let it go but pulled him down to join her on the ground, the long grass surrounding them. She leaned in closer and his breath caught in his throat.

"Hi," She smiled at him. He felt his heart flutter with happiness.

Happiness he hadn't felt for such a long time…

"Hi." He leaned in closer so their noses were touching gently; but she moved away, giggling.

"Race you to that tree!" She laughed delightedly before sprinting in the other direction.

Harry watched her, his smile never wavering.


The Dark Ace punched the wall hard, screaming in frustration. He grabbed a hold of the curtains to rip them off, throwing them onto the floor with all of his might. He didn't care what he was grabbing, he didn't care what got destroyed, all he knew was he wanted to touch something, anything, and destroy it.

It's better to have never felt the happiness of love than to be torture by the pain of it ending.

Piper heard his screams and closed her eyes, wanting more than ever for him to stop. This was not the Dark Ace she was used to: this was a much more threatening Dark Ace, and because of her somehow he had lost control. She forced herself to try and move but found herself immobile. She sighed and squeezed her eyes shut tighter, feeling herself drift away...

She opened her eyes and found her black eyes glaring into her: and screamed. The Dark Ace covered her mouth, leaning down to hiss at her.

"You will speak of this to no one."

Piper nodded quickly; she was finding it difficult to breathe. The Dark Ace's eyes gazed into hers, as if assessing her honestly. Finally, he nodded before pulling away, yet still looking down at her.

"Good."

And with that, he walked out.


Aerrow threw his head back, his mouth gasping with both delight and pleasure. He hissed and felt her slick form slide up his.

"Piper…"

Piper bent her head, her hair falling past her shoulders as she kissed him hard, they're hips moving together in sync. Aerrow sat up, taking her with him, kissing her back with the same passionate fervour, his hands sliding up her chest to hold her delicate neck, her soft dark hair kissing his fingers as they broke away, desperate for air.

But even more desperate for each other.

His hands traced down her body, snaking around her as they stroked her bare back. Piper closed her eyes as she felt his kisses raining on her neck and chest, his bright red hair tickling her chin. They lay back down together, slowing down their pace. Piper bent her head to lean her forehead against his, their sweat mixing together: their air mingling as they breathed into each other's mouths. Aerrow kissed her: slowly, sweetly, lovingly.

She broke apart to gaze into his emerald eyes and knew she was mirroring his assuring smile- his promise that nothing could ever break what they had. Forbidden or not: Aerrow and Piper belonged together.

Aerrow woke up, yelling out, his cheeks salty wet.

"Piper!" He yelled, trying to get out of his bed, his head screaming; images of Piper dancing beneath his eyelashes. Starling burst in, alarmed. She raced over and held him back, trying to calm him.

"Piper!" Aerrow struggled against her, feeling other hands pushing him down, different voices trying to soothe him, to get him to stop. He watched as everything was replaced with darkness...as Junko's face blurred away...

Piper kissed him again; stroking his cheeks.

"I love you." She whispered.


A/N: And we're done for now! First of all, thank you an awful lot for reviewing. Do please keep it up! Second of all, I'm sorry this is quite late. I've had exams non-stop, still got a few left but at least i have some days off now. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm very much enjoying my insight into the Dark Ace: we'll be seeing much more of him than i think was expected.

Thank you for reading! Do please leave comments: Until next time!