Chapter 21

Alice

I woke up to the same annoying sound in my ear that I woke up to yesterday. The static from my communicator wouldn't stop. By how often it shifted back and forth, I could tell that my friends were trying to get a hold of me.

Sadness crept back into me. What was I fighting for?

This question rang in my head again and again with no answer.

"You awake?" Ace asked.

"Yeah." I said before standing up. "Let's keep moving."

He followed me without question as we trekked through the dense forest.

Aerrow

"Alice, can you read me?" Finn asked. It was his turn now to find Alice. Static was his response. He repeated his question over and over.

I looked up to the helmsman to see how he was doing. His face was blank but I knew how worried he really was.

"Aerrow?" Piper asked. She was watching Stork before she pointed at him with a questioning look given to me.

"He'll be better once we find her."

"Alice, will you answer already?" Finn said with irritation.

The static kept going. It cleared for a moment. I thought it would start back up again so I didn't both trying to listen to it.

"Pfft! Fine. I guess I'll answer you." Alice's sarcastic reply came.

"Alice!" All of us shouted. Radarr whooped with joy.

"Hey, guys. What's up?"

"Finally!" I said, taking the mic from Finn. "We've been worried sick about you."

"Aww. How sweet of you." A muffled voice came in the background. "Yeah. It's them. Who else do I have a communicator for? C'mon, dude. Seriously."

"Who's with you?" Piper asked.

"Well…uh…" There was a pause before she said, "Long story short, Ace-y Boy saved my life."

"What?" Stork asked, snatching the mic. The ship swayed slightly off course. I looked out the window to see it almost hit a huge rock formation. Piper jumped to the steering wheel and veered us away just in time. "Are you out of your mind? Oh no…"

"Uh oh."

"You've got some horrible disease that makes you delusional. Or maybe Dark Ace found a hypnosis crystal and used it on you or-"

"Listen" Alice said quickly. "I don't know why he saved me. For all I know, he could be wanting in my pants."

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" I heard him shout.

"All I know is," She continued like she didn't even hear him. "He saved me and we're on a forested terra. Don't worry. He hasn't molested me yet."

"Seriously…WHAT THE-"

"Language, Ace-y Boy. We need to be calm. Anyway, can ya'll find me?"

"Sure can." Piper said as I held back Stork. I knew she wasn't helping his panic attack but that's Alice's for you. "Just send out a signal and we can track you quickly."

"Cool. We're going to try to get to a clearing."

"Okay."

Alice

With that, I was finally able to send out a digital flare for the Storm Hawks to find me with. Dark Ace was still fuming over the perverted jokes I was cracking but who cares? My friends will finally get me out of here! I could really use a bath.

"Let's get to that clearing." I said happily.

Ace just groaned because he knew my friends weren't happy about him being near me. Maybe the jokes too. Oh well.

We finally got to the clearing. I eyed the temple curiously. "This isn't on any map in Atmos." Ace said.

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes. I wouldn't have said it otherwise."

I nodded in response. A strange aura emitted from it. From deep within, I couldn't hear the faint sound of music.

"Familiar…" I mumbled.

"What?"

"This place-the aura and the music from inside-it's all so familiar."

"Music?" Ace asked. He stepped next to me and cupped his hand around his ear. "I hear nothing."

"You can't hear it? It's like an old lullaby from a music box." I looked up at him in confusion.

He shook his head. We both turned upon hearing a familiar horn blare out. I looked up to see the Condor flying over head. I waved in excitement.

"Yo!" I shouted loudly, even though I knew they couldn't hear me.

From the ship came two skimmers and a heliscooter. I smiled upon seeing all my friends. They landed but Junko was the first to get to me.

"Alice, you're alright!" He said while gathering me in a huge hug. "We were so worried about you!"

I couldn't breath. "She'll be dead if you keep it up Junko." Finn joked.

Junko dropped me immediately. "Oh!" He said before helping me up. "Ah. Sorry about that."

I stretched my back while saying, "It's cool. I missed ya'll too."

For a few moments, Aerrow was standing next to me protectively in order to keep Ace-y Boy from me while Piper checked me for any signs of illness or injuries.

"I'm serious, guys. I'm okay. Aerrow, it's okay. We swore not to attack each other until we're both with our respected legions." I said while gripping my brother's forearm.

He looked down at me before taking a deep breath. "Okay. I trust your decisions, Alice."

I smiled up at him before I heard someone clearing their throat. I looked over to see a familiar Merb. "Hey, Stork."

Stork opened his mouth to say something but lunged at me with a big hug. I staggered a little. "I'm glad you're okay." He whispered into my ear.

I smiled and hugged him back. "Were you having a pity party?" I asked.

I felt his laugh before his nod. "I was really worried about you."

I smiled and tightened my grip before stepping back. "I'm okay. Nothing bad happened other than the loss of my skimmer."

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Someone was clapping slowly behind me. "How touching!" An all-too familiar voice said. "A girl and her friends, reunited after such a long while of worry and struggle."

I turned to see the source. There stood a man. The same man from my vision in which Chess showed me my true power.

"I was watching this whole time, wondering how it would end. But by the smell of things, it's not over yet." He said, waving his hand in front of his face as if a pungent smell wafted through the air.

He stared at me with light green eyes, his left eye slightly larger than the right.

"Who is this clown, Alice?" Finn asked.

I just glared at him, shaking with anger. "I've missed you so much," The man said. "Little Ali."

I clenched my jaw and grabbed one of Aerrow's energy blades. I fired a blue bolt at the guy. He dodged it by flying up into the air. "Get back here, you bastard!" I growled and shouted.

I chased after him. As I did though, the ground gave way beneath me. I quickly jumped back. Looking down, I saw a deep pit with spikes at the bottom. I glared at the man as he laughed maniacally.

"I shall see you later, Little Ali." He said evilly before snapping his fingers and vanishing.

I growled in anger as I stared at the empty space. "Alice?" Stork asked me.

I dropped to one knee and punched the ground angrily. "Dammit. He got away."

"Who was that?"

I looked over at Stork then to the ground. "Mad Hatter."

OMG! I am SO SORRY YA'LL! I didn't even realize how much time had passed! Well, at least I finally posted but left you with a cliffy.

The updates will definitely be a bit more irregular because I'm trying to finish this story, making videos, and trying to write a script for a horror movie. The new video I'm going to put up (As soon as I get the supplies) will be CHUBBY BUNNY! I want questions that are going to be answered during the video. If you want to keep updated look up Kiss My Duct Tape Studios on Facebook. Also, wanting to do a skit video and a blog? I don't know.

Junko (Representing some people who don't know): What's Chubby Bunny?

Ravess: It's a game in which players must put marshmellows in their mouths and say "Chubby Bunny." The person who can cram in the most win.

Dark Ace: I get to do the disclaimer as it's been a while. Over the accidental hiatus, Lupin tried to use the Portal 2 Gun to get the rights of Storm Hawks. Unfortunately, she couldn't get it because the boss was in the office. She still only owns the story and Alice. Please review! Reviews motivate her.

Peace!