Credit where it's due: Invader Lana helped me BIG TIME with this chapter. Not only with the suggestion for the topic, but the dialogue and interactions that follow as well. Thanks, Lana!

Lynn

Aerrow

I sat by her side the entire time, even when Stork forced everyone out of the room, I was right there, sitting behind the door. Walking out, the Merb was content that Kai would be fine. He'd given her something so she could sleep through the rest of the day, as well as the night. Without him barking down our throats to stay out of the room, I barged back in and made myself comfortable at her desk chair. Just as I'd kicked the door shut with my foot, Finn, caught the door and made his way in.

"What is it with you?"

"I'm worried…," the blond sighed, rubbing his neck. "Look, Aerrow… I'm… sorry for yelling at you earlier... and insulting you…"

I sighed, shaking my head. "I suppose I should apologize, too. I've… had a bit of a temper lately."

He scoffed, sitting on the floor against the wall. "Yeah. About that, Aerrow…"

"Don't worry, I'm already working on it."

"No, listen. You've been acting weird since Kai came on-board… In fact, if I didn't know better I'd say it was because of Kai that you're acting weird!" He laughed. "Ha! You like Kai!"

This is the wrong room to be talking about this. "Can this wait?"

He shook his head.

"Look who's talking, you flirt."

'Yeah, but at least I have the balls to tell her."

I took in a deep breath and counted to ten.

One…

"And hey! She didn't exactly shoot me down."

Two…

"And hell… maybe I can get her on my side before she even figures out you like her!"

TEN!

Just as I'd begun to snap, so did Kai. She began to scream in pain, clutching tightly to her blankets. Finn and I both jumped, startled.

"Kai!"

She lurched toward me, her eyes wide. "Aerrow… What… are you doing in here?"

Finn busted out laughing, despite the situation.

"I wanted to make sure you were all right."

She sighed, rolling onto her back. "What was I doing…?"

"Screaming… but you're fine. You're fine now…"

Knocking on the door, Junko trudged in. "Is… everything all right?"

Finn quieted down.

"Sorry, Junko… Didn't mean to wake you up," Kai apologized. "Guess the academy really had an effect on me…"

"The academy?" Junko repeated. "You… don't mind if I talk to Kai, do ya guys?"

I glanced at Finn, then back toward Kai. "Uh… sure, buddy." I gave Kai a subtle smile, dragging Finn out of the room.

Kai

"What's this about?" I yawned.

The Wallop decided not to sit on my bed, for fear of something. "I can understand what you're going through… The academy was rough."

Rubbing my eyes, I sat up, rolling my legs off of the bed. "What do you mean?"

"I was trained as a talon," he laughed. "I never wanted to be a talon, but I couldn't be one of the good guys… until Aerrow told me I could, I didn't know I had another choice."

I smiled. "So you know what the academy was like…"

He nodded. "I saw a lot of nasty things at the academy… it took me a while to forget."

"How'd you get over it?" I asked, hopeful.

Junko looked at his feet. "I had friends… I knew they would protect me from Cyclonia, and I would protect them. Things didn't look so bad after that. Kai, ya gotta trust Aerrow. He's a good kid… he won't let you fall too far before catching you."

I smiled.

"He won't let you near the Dark Ace again. I can tell you that much… You won't have to face him again." Glancing toward the door, Junko backed away. "Try to trust us… You'll be fine. Nothing like that will ever happen again. We're your team, we've got your back," he smiled.

Returning his grin, I gave the Wallop a wave as he left the room.

Without word one from the boys, I assumed I would have the rest of the night to sleep… and if I was right, the nightmares wouldn't resurface themselves for quite some time.

ooo

Lynn… It was quite beautiful—rural yet modern… Populated yet simply not crowded. Though half the people I ran into were blond… that didn't make much of a difference. Everyone had their own personality, their own memories… and their own reason for starting a rebellion.

"All right, guys. This is… well, to put it bluntly, it's going to be hell. The people of Lynn don't have weapons to speak of… but they have crystals. If any of them have managed to put together a crystal charger, we're in for a rough fight. Remember," Aerrow's tone grew serious. "We're here to stop them, not hurt them. Only use force when necessary."

"We're alone in this, aren't we?" I asked.

He nodded grimly. "Everyone else is busy. We don't have to stop the rebellion if we can't… we just need to stall long enough for reinforcements show up. If anyone of us gets hurt… stand down. I'm not risking any of your lives over this."

We nodded, the others taking their Skimmers to the air, Finn and I staying behind.

"You don't plan on going?" I asked.

He sighed. "I… don't feel comfortable fighting back."

"Hm…" I climbed off my Skimmer, standing by Finn. "Then join me. I'm not helping in the rebellion just yet."

"Where are you going?" he asked.

I looked down, rocking back and forth on my toes. "You know Elle…? She said her family was on Lynn…"

"You said she was from Mesa."

I nodded. "She lived with her Aunt on Mesa. Finn…" I pulled a picture out of my pocket. "We're going to see her family."

Taking the photo, Finn examined Elle's family closely, seeing the photo was quite a few years old. Elle was young, around our age at the time. The picture held her, her mother, her father—an apparent Talon—and a young boy, around Elle's age in the photo. They looked like twins…

Finn closed his eyes, handing me the photo. "Can you handle seeing her family?"

I nodded. "I need for them to know what happened. With her father being a Talon, I'm sure they've already heard of her death."

Finn smiled. "You're too nice for your own good."

ooo

"Finn… Finn! I've got it!" I turned to thank the old man on my left, running over to my blond comrade. "I've got their address… Turns out her parents have lived here since their community was built. The dad is a well-known Cyclonian amongst the area…"

"Oooh," Finn cringed.

"Yeah… Any possibility of not mentioning that we're Storm Hawks?" I pulled the photo out of my pocket, along with Elle's necklace, and the note I'd found in her belongings.

Finn shrugged. "If we don't have to, I wouldn't. I'd… rather not die today."

I sighed. "The worst that could possibly happen is the Cyclonian kills us. No pressure, right?"

Finn whined.

Once we found the house, our anxiety really set in. Whoever was behind this door could potentially kill us for what was done. I silently thanked Aerrow for letting me borrow his spare energy blades before knocking on the door.

A young woman opened the door, her husband not too far behind her. They matched the picture perfectly, and I knew I had the right family. "Good morning, Miss," I smiled. "My name is Kai, this is Finn."

The blond stepped back, catching the father's gaze.

"We'd like to talk to you two for a moment, may we come in?"

Suddenly, the husband pushed his way forward and growled toward his wife, closing the door behind him. "We don't want to hear anything you two kids have to say." His eyes were focused on our weapons. "So get your crystals and get the hell off of our front porch."

Like a timid cat with its ears pinned to its skull, I took a few steps back. Finn rested his hand on my shoulder, speaking quietly. "Let me handle this." Stepping forward, Finn put on a tough front. "Sir, we have some important information about your daughter I think you may want to hear."

The man stepped up to Finn, staring him down. "I don't want to hear it."

Finn quickly backed out. "K-Kai?"

I sighed. "Listen, Mr. Warden. We have some personal effects of your daughter's that we'd like to return… but we'd also like to talk to you and your wife."

With a grunt, he turned toward the door, his eye never leaving Finn. It was odd… I'd seen that look before. He opened the door with force, finding his wife straightening up the living room, almost as if she knew we were coming in.

"Welcome to our home," she spoke meekly, ushering us to sit down. "If you'd be so kind, would you mind leaving your weapons at the door?" she asked. "Mr. Warden has a few issues with guests and weapons," she whispered

"I'm very sorry, Ma'am, but we won't be very long." Finn and I neglected to leave our weapons at the door (and for a very good reason—we both held a deep respect for the Cyclonian before us) as we took our seats on the couch. Finn sat opposite me, I sat with the wife, and the husband sat on the other end, overlooking the three of us.

I cautiously handed the picture, the note, and the locket to the wife. "Ma'am… this was your daughters. I felt obligated to return these… and I have something I need to tell you two."

"Get on with it," the father growled.

I could hear quiet tears fall from the mother's eyes as she read the note, clutching the locket in her hand. She covered her mouth and sniffed in, flipping the page over. Finding the other side to be empty, she looked up toward Finn and I. "Excuse me, I'll just be a moment," she stated calmly, as if nothing were wrong. Standing up, the woman left the room.

Finn chose to stay quiet. I wondered if it was truly a fear or just a lack of words.

"Your daughter was not a suicidal person," I told him.

His eyes drifted to the blond. "I don't blame her for killing herself."

So they told them she killed herself… I thought so. "Sir, Elle was murdered."

"You're telling me… that my daughter was murdered in a guarded academy?" The man sat forward, resting his forearms on his knees.

Finn grew agitated, seeing I was potentially in danger.

"You two aren't a part of the academy. They would never allow talons to have weapons like those." He eyed both my blades and Finn's crossbow. "Those are Sky Knight's weapons…" The man chuckled darkly. "Where'd you pick up those pieces of junk, anyway?" There was a false front over the laugh he had an ulterior motive, I could tell that much.

"Look, your daughter got mixed up in some dangerous business at the academy and ended up getting murdered. I don't know what bullshit they told you, but she was killed! Elle would never kill herself… Finn and I were just trying to protect her."

The instant those words left my mouth, I bit them back with bitter regret.

"Finn… Finn! Ah, I remember you!" The man shot up from his chair, maneuvering around the coffee table. "One of those… wannabe Storm Hawks! That sharp-shooter! I don't know what kind of stunt you and your girlfriend here are trying to pull, but I won't hear a word of it!" The old man gripped my arm and pulled me up and off of the couch.

"Ravess told me every word… I know what happened. This was all your fault!" He screamed in my face, shoving me off toward the door. I could see Finn following close behind him, angered more and more with each passing word. "I was suspicious of the lot of you the second you stepped foot in our house. I should've known… You two can get the hell out of my house before I change my mind about killing you both!"

I tried to fit in a few words but the man kept shouting. "And don't you dare come back or I won't hesitate to bring my blade out and cut you both straight down the middle."

The instant he stopped speaking, I spoke up. "Listen! Your daughter made her own choices and this wasn't our fault! Elle was tricked into confessing something she never got truly involved in. Ravess pushed her off a damn bridge to prove a point to the other students! We may have infiltrated the academy, but we didn't kill your daughter."

And that was the last straw. Dimetri Warden pressed his lips together and wound back his arm, and the instant he tried to take a swing at me, Finn gripped his arm.

"Hey, I could tolerate the yelling, but try and hit Kai… That's where I draw the line!"

Distracted, I pulled Aerrow's blades from my back and stood on-guard.

Now Dimetri's target was the blond, and just as I thought the boy was done-for, he pulled off an amazing stunt. Dodging each punch, Finn knocked over the man's recliner. Now propelled by pure adrenaline, Finn dodged another throw and landed a ways away from the man. Finn gave a sigh of relief and stood up, egging him on. "Come on, I would've thought better coming from a Cyclonian Talon!"

I, honestly, was stunned. I had stood by and watched as Aerrow trained for those few days I was cooped up on the ship before the academy. I watched as Aerrow trained, I watched as Finn trained. I saw the difference in their styles; I saw how well Aerrow did with close combat and the large difference in Finn's abilities with melee.

I've only seen these kind of things from my favorite red-head, but I'd never expected them from Finn.

One more lurch and Finn jumped upward, landing on his back. He kicked off of Dimetri and landed behind him. In one swift move, he kicked the man's rear and he fell forward, knocking over an end table. That's when things took another interesting turn.

"Dimetri!" Elle's mother walked in, stunned. I ran to her aid.

"Ma'am, let me explain."

Without another move from Dimetri, Finn spoke up. "You are low, even for a Talon. I honestly expected better! Your daughter was murdered by your own kind and it's only natural to believe them over a Storm Hawk. But you have some nerve for swinging at an innocent girl! You should have some dignity at the very least! Cyclonian or not, you should know damn well better than to hit a girl."

That's when the mother burst out into tears. "He's… he's never known better."

I glanced at a slight bruise on her face, noting it had been well covered by makeup. "I need to get you out of here," I muttered, pulling her off toward the door.

"Miss, I… I can't… I can't leave."

"He's hurting you! I won't allow it. Mrs. Warden, as a Storm Hawk, I am removing you from this household for your own safety." With that said, I opened the door and urged Finn to come with.

"No. I'm not done with this asshole."

I whined. "Ma'am… you will be fine," I coaxed. "He won't be hurting you anymore."

With a grateful look in her eye, she quickly asked a favor. "Please… just let me get a few things."

I nodded, following after her. I left Finn to take care of the brute.

"I… I just need to get a few of Trevor's things."

"Trevor?"

She nodded. "Elle's late brother… He disappeared in battle…"

"I'm so sorry…" It must've been hard, losing both of her children. I kept back the tears and stayed supportive, getting her out of the house before the man was out of Finn's grasp. "Finn… Let's go."

He nodded, kicking the man back down to the ground. Without another word, we left the house and took Mrs. Warden back to the Condor.

I took Aerrow's blades and set them on the table. "Mrs. Warden…"

"Elin, please…," she smiled.

"Elin… do you have anywhere you can go off-Lynn?"

Finn left the room, muttering about something quietly.

I sighed, fearing for the boy.

"My sister… she lives on Mesa. Miss…"

"Kai," I smiled.

"Miss Kai… You have a kind heart; thank you very much for saving me from Dimetri… but I honestly don't feel right leaving him."

I slammed my fist on the table. "Do you feel right staying behind and letting him hit you?"

The blond bit back her words.

"Elin, I cannot allow you to go back. I put your daughter in harm's way and I will not do that to her mother."

She nodded. "Much obliged… Do you mind… telling me what happened with my daughter? I feel genuinely sorry about what my husband did…"

I sat down beside Elin, telling her everything that happened. "Finn and I had infiltrated the academy to benefit our team…" I paused, waiting to see her reaction. She didn't seem displeased about that, unlike her Cyclonian husband.

"Elle was my bunkmate… I entrusted her with our secret and she promised to help us out. Elle wanted out of the academy, Elin. She would only help us if we took her with us when we left… Ravess got to her before we could escape and we were leaving that day. Ravess tied her to a bridge, kicked her off, and hung her.

"Ma'am, I know I put her in danger, but I did not kill your daughter."

Elin smiled, tears falling from her eyes. "Kai, I do not blame you for her death. My husband sent her to the academy when she was fourteen… along with her brother. When her brother graduated and she didn't, I tried to get her sent home. When Dimetri found out, he… he locked me in the basement for a week…

"He told Elle she couldn't come back unless she was a full-fledged Talon, even if she was living with my sister. He had Ravess control her leave and made her work in the kitchen. When she came of age, when we no longer had control, she didn't leave… I was surprised." She rubbed her eyes, the makeup on the bruise giving way to purple skin.

"Kai, Elle had called in a week prior to the murder and said she couldn't take it anymore and wanted out, but they wouldn't let her leave. She said if an opportunity didn't come soon, she would… she would take her own life…" The tears continued to fall.

I pulled her in and hugged her, trying my best to console the distraught mother. "So… in reality… there was nothing I could've done…"

She shook her head.

"Tell you what," I leaned back, smiling. "We're on our way to Neon as we speak. Once Aerrow and the rest come back from the rebellion… we'll take you to Mesa, it's not too far off from our destination."

She nodded, forcing a smile. "You don't know how much this means to me."

"And I'll put the word out to keep an eye on your husband. We won't let him anywhere near you or your sister."

The smile was no longer forced—Elin was truly happy now. "Thank you, Storm Hawk…" The woman set the note on the table, carefully removing the picture. "I don't know how long you and Elle were friends... but I know she must've meant a lot considering. Listen, I want you to have this... Okay? If you cared for her as much as it seems, it must've been returned ten fold. I know my Elly... she's selfless enough to put her heart and soul into anyone she calls a friend. I hope you take this picture as thanks for everything you've done for her, and everything you've done for me." She folded the wrinkled picture in half and took my hands in hers, placing the picture in my palms. Sandwiching my hands together, she held mine in hers and I watched as mixed-emotion tears rolled down her cheeks.

I set the picture on the table, leaning forward to embrace her.

I felt good… It was the first good thing I'd done under the Storm Hawk title. I saved someone who was in danger… I saved someone in a Cyclonian household. And that same Cyclonian was grateful that a Storm Hawk had saved her. No, I didn't just feel good, I felt proud.

I truly felt like I belonged there, now.