Disclaimer: I do not own Storm Hawks or any of its characters. I do, however, own my own character and plots.

Chapter 16

Nakoto was too easy to fool.

Time seemed to fly by a little, down in that cavern. The storm still raged outside, roaring, but it became an accustomed sound. The light still remained, which was good. It was not too hot, nor too cold.

Repton and Nakoto sat down beside each other on a rock ledge close-by. The conversations they had started to lose their tension. Primarily, she wasn't the cause of the tension, but himself. But she was very easy to talk to, and she did most of the talking anyway. The way she went on about things, one would think she hardly had a care in the world. She swiftly left the Oasium topic, so he knew how much that bothered her. But how was she able to push it out of her mind like that? Repton expected her to be some vengeful-cliché character, someone with the sole mission of seeking retribution. She wasn't, and she didn't, and that nagged his mind.

Nakoto enclosed with him —after begging him to promise not to tell anyone—her life on Atmosia. She told him of the medical facility there, of the people, and of the children. Especially of the children. Repton forced a smile as she went off a tangent, pretending that this was the first time he was hearing about this portion of Nakoto's life.

He truly smiled, however, when Nakoto told him about his nickname. Draco. She told him how the children thought really hard to find that name, and she told him that she thought it suited. He heard her say it twice, and the compliment still felt nice, to say the least.

Her tone changed slightly when she got to Luchas. She didn't say his name out loud, but Repton knew that was the doctor that seemed fishy to her. She asked Repton if he knew of any person —a.k.a, Cyclonian— who was a doctor, and he said no. She asked him what exactly Cyclonis was planning, and he said he didn't know.

He said nothing of Athene's Eye. He said nothing of Luchas. He said nothing of Cyclonis' scheme.

He did, however, found himself responsible of the whole mess, and he felt obligated to speak to her about it. He explained that he didn't mean for her to be mentioned, that it was his younger brother Leugey who'd done so. Before he knew it, a small apology slipped out, and he recoiled mentally. Had he meant for that to come out? Nakoto seemed surprised herself. Regardless, the smile that followed had Repton enthralled. Her charm was...

Nakoto's previous acts of kindness... her inviting friendship...

Had he the heart to betray her? Truly?

"Do you think the Cyclonians have left now?" Nakoto asked, looking up at the dome above their heads. "I think we've been here for more than an hour."

Repton abandoned his thoughts of doubt and his tongue slipped out pensively. "They're annoyingly persistent when they want to be. They may be suspicious as to why I haven't left."

"You think so? Then we should probably leave very soon."

He looked over to her beside him. "Not yet, though."

She chuckled to herself.

"No, not yet."

For a moment or so, they said nothing. Nakoto seemed content, but with the silence, the question that nagged Repton's mind for a while made itself known. Since the Oasium topic dropped, the question seemed inappropriate. He tried to figure out some words to lead it back into the conversation, but had no luck, so he went on with it.

"Nakoto." She turned her head slightly, indicating her attentiveness. He clenched his teeth for a second, then inquired: "Why haven't you taken revenge on Cyclonis yet? I would, if that had happened to Bogaton."

She took her time answering this question. Surprisingly, she didn't consider the question too personal, and she looked up at the dome again without a look of remorse. She hummed lengthily, then hoisted herself up to her feet. She stretched her arm as she paced a little forward.

"I... try not to be a vengeful person," she said calmly. "I've thought of it many times, but nothing good comes from revenge. And besides, it was the former Cyclonis who I despised. And she's dead now, so what is there really for me to do?"

"Kill Cyclonis, and prevent anything like the Oasium Project from happening again," Repton replied. It was blunt, but it was the first thing that came to mind. "Sounds simple to me."

"Oh, how I love simplicity." She laughed shortly. "But killing her would only lead to more hatred. How do you think loyal Cyclonians would take it? They'd lash out at the world. And then there's the Dark Ace; he'd take over for her. He and the Cyclonians would wage wars against everyone else, provided I'm dead by that time."

Repton's shoulders stiffened, and he straightened. He stared at Nakoto's back. "Dead?"

She turned to him, and commenced stretching her other arm. She grunted softly, as it was the wounded shoulder she mutilated. Despite it nearing its complete regeneration, it must have still bothered her. She then smiled. "I never want to go to Cyclonia unless it's on my deathwish. My final trip, if you will."

"But why? Why couldn't you just escape? You've done it once."

"Repton, you know that Cyclonia has one of the toughest defenses, and the greatest military force in the Atmos. Last time, I was a child, and Sky Knights rescued me. One Raptor, against thousands of Talons? It would be a miracle if I made to Cyclonis, and there wouldn't be a chance for me of heading back out." She shook her head and sighed. "And as long as I'm alive, there's always the risk that someone will use my blood. I can't be captured again... I have to make sure I die in the attempt, whether it's a success or failure. That's just how it is."

Repton eased a little, and he leaned forward, looking down at the rocky ground.

"...you don't fear death, do you?"

"No. Do you?"

"No." He hesitated after his stubborn outburst. "...if my pride was on the line. I would rather die fighting. If it were any other case, I would do anything to avoid it."

"Anything? Even throw down other people's lives for the sake of your own?"

Out of his peripheral vision, Repton could see that she was finished stretching her arms, and they were now hanging at her sides. Her tail slowly swept above the ground behind her as she waited patiently. Repton then brought his hands from below and looked at them. For once, he could see the blood of the past on them.

"Whatever keeps me alive," Repton said. "I lead the Raptors for victory. That much we share. If one falls, it's not my concern."

"Even if it were your own brother?"

The Raptor King bore his teeth, having expected this question. Was it any of Nakoto's business what he does with his family? His brothers were dimwits. They were easy to manipulate. They screwed up all the time. They were almost always the reason why things didn't go as planned. Repton could go on about the things that pissed him off about them. But would he let one die?

So lost in his thoughts, Repton didn't notice Nakoto covering ground until she bent down and brought her face to his level. He looked at her reproachful eyes.

"You don't know what you really have until it's gone," she said. Her brows knitted upwards. "I hope you protect your brothers. Don't find yourself alone. It's not a very nice feeling... I'd know."

The concept finally seeped in. Nakoto was all alone. One of the last of her kind. Repton had a feeling that Farida didn't count as an ally to Nakoto, given the attitude the aggressive one conveyed. He only now recognized the solemn, lonesome look that accompanied Nakoto's silence. She hadn't looked like this before; not when he first met her, and not through Athene's Eye. Well, when she was around Luchas, that was. Perhaps her mind wandered to Oasium from time to time, out of the stone's range.

As she straightened, Nakoto's expression loosened up and she looked at him in reverence, and he was taken aback. She was definitely experienced with expelling thoughts from her mind.

"But you have to at least enjoy leading your Terra, right? Leadership is a gift."

Glad of the change of subject, he nodded. "Aside from all the technical business, it's a... nice life."

"How many are there of you? Of your people?"

"Oh, a few dozens, I suppose. We inhabit the majority of the Terra, while those Terradons are out in hiding."

Nakoto's eyes shone. Her interest in his Terra was comparable to a child's interest in one of her stories. The idea was amusing to Repton.

"There are no wars against you and your Terra directly, I hear," she said. "I haven't heard of any Sky Knights trying to attack Bogaton."

"All's well in the skies." His mind wandered for a moment, and he looked up at the small crevice in the dome, where the wind raged on. "...It's on land that things get worrisome."

Nakoto shifted. "Worrisome?"

Repton cursed himself. Why did he say that? It wasn't any of Nakoto's business! Not to mention it was Nakoto who was supposed to describe herself, not him. He didn't intend to reveal so much at first. But talking to Nakoto was so irresistible to him. He couldn't leave her hanging. His mouth tilted.

"A... famine has hit the Terra. I don't understand, because we've conserved ourselves well. Our game is growing more scarce, and my people grow more hungry. Words whisper of rebellion."

"Rebellion?" Nakoto repeated the word, and by the look on her face, the word tasted bad on her tongue. The incredulous disbelief was deep. "But you're not the reason the food is gone. That's ridiculous."

Repton shrugged. "Perhaps they think there's a more fitting ruler to lead them to food. Who knows."

Nakoto said nothing as she crossed her arms. Her gaze fell to the ground, and her brows furrowed as if in deep concentration. Whether she was trying to think of something to say, some solution. Repton wasn't going to hear it. She looked up at him when he interjected:

"You're caring about this, aren't you?"

"Hm?" Confusion sparked in her eyes.

"Acting through kindness is one thing," he said slowly, "but you should never bother yourself with other people's problems. Understand? What happens on Bogaton is my affair, not yours. So stop frowning."

He realized how gentle his voice came out. Her eyes were wide for a second, but then they softened. She began saying something, but a distraction captured both of their attention.

"—...-One-Four... —Come in, Two-One-Four. "

Nakoto's head turned toward her ride, to the sound. Her radio was on and someone was trying to contact her. The spines on her head spread to their fullest extent, showing urgency. Without saying anything, she ran over to her vehicle and leaned forward on the dashboard.

"Yes, I'm here!" she might as well have shouted. The urgency in her voice reflected her body language. "What is it? Any news?"

"Your request... —has...—through. "

"Repeat! I can't hear you!"

"Your request has been seen through, Two-One-Four."

"And?"

"The impostor...—"

"Luchas?"

Repton leaned on his knees again, listening closely.

"He's ha—...—hended. I repeat, he has been apprehended."

"I knew it! " Nakoto muttered to herself. Luchas had been caught, already? Some smart Cyclonian he turned out to be. Why had Cyclonis chosen him? Whatever she was planning seemed to be going down the drain now. And frankly, Repton didn't feel dread. The scheme meant little to him in the first place, and now he thought it was best that Cyclonis' plan didn't work out. Perhaps Nakoto would be spared from anything that was going to happen.

The contact wasn't finished. "And there is an additional notice for you. "

"Yes?"

"The Aquanosian boy... —gone highly unstable. He'll be going into surgery soon. You've been notified."

Nakoto's shoulders straightened, stiffened. "How long do I have? "

"Not long."

"Contact his father immediately! " she shouted. "I'm on my way! Contact his father immediately!"

She punched the dashboard, cursing, and she turned the knob of the radio, signing off. She breathed deeply, looking like she was dispelling all the stress building up in her body. She raised her leg and swung it over her ride, and got herself ready. She was about to ignite the engine when she remembered where she was. She brought her eyes back to Repton. Her eyes displayed a touch of regret.

"Repton, I'm sorry... but I have to leave now."

She was sorry to leave? Perhaps she thought he knew nothing of what that radio message meant, but he knew. The situation with Luchas was somewhat important, and he had to go to report back to Cyclonis in case she wanted him there. He also knew how important the Aquanosian child was to Nakoto. Overall, they had to leave, on with their own business. He nodded.

"I understand," he said. He got to his feet. "But I should leave first."

The question was evident on Nakoto's face. He approached his ride, hopped on, and brought it to life. He directed it to Nakoto's side and brought his gaze to her questioning face.

"I'll lead the Cyclonians away, if they're still up there. They'll believe me when I say that you've escaped, and they will follow me."

Repton couldn't stand looking at the gratitude on her face. It was so deep and sincere. She bowed her head. "Thank you."

Repton had felt the cold, hard object in his pocket when he was sitting with Nakoto before, but it was only now that he acknowledged it. He fished into his pocket and pulled out the small bottle Maia had possessed. He leaned over to Nakoto and held his fist downward. Perplexed, she held up her hands under it, cupped, and he dropped the object. Once she caught it, her eyes widened at it tremendously.

"You know what that is, don't you?"

"This is a bottle of Aquanosian water... I was meaning to pick one up... " She looked up at him. "but why do you have this?"

"Just something I picked up. But now I think you're the best one to hold onto it."

He thought it was useless to mention Maia again. It wouldn't have done him or Nakoto any difference, and frankly, that mail carrier didn't matter at the moment. Certainly, when he found her again, he would stop at nothing to take her, but she was history now. Nakoto was the present.

He was troubled by her speechlessness. He watched her closely. "Do you like it?"

Even then she took a moment to respond. She tilted the bottle from side to side, watching the glint of light dance over the surface. Then, she closed her left hand around the small thing and brought it to her chest. She regarded him with glassy eyes.

"Thank you, Repton. Thank you so much."

The gratitude came back with ten-times more power, and Repton felt his stomach coil. His deception started to feed fires in his gut, and he didn't know how long he would stand it. What was Nakoto doing to him? Lying was in his nature, and yet he wanted to tell her everything! Even through all this discomfort, he couldn't look away from her. Her happiness was alluring. He looked away, grunting in response to Nakoto's appreciation. He had to get out of there, fast.

But before he could leave though, she reached out to him and touched his arm. He looked back to her, and she hesitated. She nodded to herself, as if in reassurance, then blurted;

"Write to me!"

What was this... invitation?

Repton was bewildered. "What, a letter? How? A letter from Bogaton, it..."

She smiled. "You don't have to write a return address. Just write my name and the Terra, and I'm sure it'll reach me. I'll know it's you when I read it. Promise me you'll write?"

She spoke a lot with her eyes, he learned. Now they were beseeching. In means of escape, he looked down at the hand that grasped his arm. For sure, her Dragon's Claw was abnormal, but as he looked at it, it didn't hold any vicious or ugly quality. Nakoto misunderstood him and let go of him, drawing away. He reached out to catch her Claws before they returned to her side. His fingers curled around hers, squeezed, and he smirked at her.

"I promise."

She smiled.

After leaving the cavern and meeting bare sunlight at last, Repton took straight to the skies. The Cyclonians were still circling like helplessly mindless gulls, waiting for the call to die at sea. He was surprised they were so determined to stay. He rose up to them, putting on the deadly scowl he was accustomed to wearing, and he reached the captain of the squadron.

He told them that Beta was no longer in the area. She had escaped. She had trapped him in the cavern, and it was only now he managed to claw his way out. He added a snarl to display his 'utter frustration', and the thoughtless Talons bought it. He told them to move out, since she could no longer be found there. They followed his orders because of his high rank, so they flew off, departing the Terra. Repton looked down and saw something in the shadows shift. He turned his back on it and move on.

He returned back to the bazaar of Saharr, to where Hoerk's ride stood alone with the Skimmer parts. Repton dismounted there and wandered around the place. The activity settled back down to normal, as if no Cyclonians made a ruckus at all. Although, they were a lot more wary when a new arrival came by, so all eyes followed him as he walked through the stalls, in search of Hoerk.

Repton soon found his brother there. He brandished some welts on his chest and was overall dirty and bashed. But his expression held nothing like someone having just been beaten; Hoerk was impervious to pain. He just looked as clueless as before. The bigger one was relieved to see Repton approach him.

"There you are, Boss! I was getting worried..."

"Where is that Raptoress?" Repton demanded. He already had a feeling what the answer was, but he had to try. "Where is Farida?"

"G-Go... Gone."

Figures. Repton growled and glared heavenward, and he considered the positioning of the sun. It was nearing the evening now, just before the sky would descend into its change of colour. He looked at his brother, who recoiled, expecting him to yell at him some more.

"We're going home."

"Home? But... what about food?"

Repton's lip curled. "We have enough food on Bogaton for now. We just have to take back the Skimmer parts and turn in for the day. Now move it!"

Hoerk leapt forward as if he was whipped. He immediately ran up ahead to where their Bone Wings were stationed, and by the time Repton himself got there, the bigger one had already strapped their rides secure with the parts. The bags were taunt and strong, made of the hide of an animal Repton himself skinned. They able to last the ride back to Bogaton. Wordlessly, he mounted his vehicle, and with his brother following suit, they took to the skies.

As he expected, Cyclonis was angry.

He returned to Bogaton to a panicked duo. Leugey and Spitz were jumbled in the main lobby, trying to explain the situation to their oldest brother, but once he shut them up, he asked Spitz to calmly speak. The shrimp swallowed and adverted his eyes from side to side.

"Cyclonis wants you back at Cyclonia, immediately. And she sounded real mad when we told her you weren't here. She said that nothing was more important than what she wanted. She called Bogaton—"

"A petty little waste of space," Repton drawled.

"...pretty much."

"My people are starving and she doesn't even lift a finger to help us." He shook his head and hissed unpleasantly. "I'll be back soon. Don't do anything stupid while I'm away."

Hoerk had already taken away the parts from their rides, so Repton was free to depart. However, his two younger brothers followed him to the fortress' bay to see him off. When he settled himself in his vehicle, Leugey's voice stopped him.

"Nothing bad's gonna happen to us, right Repton...?"

He turned his head and scrutinized the overgrown lizard. His patience was disintegrating, but he couldn't shoot down his brother's innocence at that moment.

"No."

"We're... not gonna starve, are we?"

Repton cast his eyes aside. "No."

"Maybe if you do what Cyclonis wants... that's never going to happen. Right?"

If he did what Cyclonis wanted. He regarded his brothers again, standing together and looking at him hopefully. They turned to him for guidance. His talk with Nakoto came full circle, about the question she gave to him. Would you throw down other people's lives for the sake of your own?... Even if it were your own brother?

No; if it were a brother, he wouldn't. But he had to throw someone else' life regardless, to save many more.

"I've got the upper hand, boys," he told them. "I know exactly what Cyclonis wants, and I'm going to give it to her. Then Bogaton will prosper."

Needless to say, their faces filled with hope. The oldest observed the faces, one after another, then looked away. He propelled himself and his Bonewing out of the open bay doors, and into the growing darkness. Nakoto was undoubtedly still on her way to Atmosia and it would still take her a while, especially with Talons patrolling. If she ever reached her destination, Repton would reach his as well. Deep in his gut, he felt a tinge of dread.

He knew that the moment he looked at Nakoto through Athene's Eye, he would regret his initial decision.

End of Chapter

A/N: Last free night of March Break. I'm gonna have to look to some homework tomorrow, and needless to say, I've got a lot...

I hope you liked the chapter! Please review, because I love hearing your thoughts!

~Vixen