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

Chapter 22

Soon enough, the morning sun started its venture, peeking his head above the horizon. I wasn't there to personally see it, but the colours of the sky outside the window gave it away. The birds were chirping far earlier than that, but they continued to sing as much as they could before the storm rolled in. Under that, the television continued to murmur quietly.

I had curled up in the blankets on the ground, but as I thought... even if I wanted to, I couldn't sleep. The alcohol wore off, I had a slight headache, and I was exhausted. I wasn't as drunk as I had wished. I really hoped I'd be able to control myself if I lost my patience, but I guess it would eventually be inevitable. My Dragon's Claw also hurt; I curled and uncurled my right hand, grunting a little. It was aching again... far more than usual. I used it for too long and for too many times, and I had a feeling that I would have to stop using it for a long time. I didn't want to have a... bad reaction. The last one wasn't pretty.

I heard footsteps upstairs, and I knew that Luchas was now awake. I heard him shuffling in his room, and I thought that I, too, should get out of the covers. I had to speak with him before he left anyway. I got up, my muscles whining with a persistent urge to remain stationed, but I wouldn't listen to them. I sat cross-legged and rubbed my eyes, expecting to wait as he washed himself in the washroom.

He came down earlier than I thought, dressed in a pale, worn-out bathrobe. He honestly looked so poor, the idea of 'doctor' failed to fit in my memory. He descended the steps and turned toward me. Seeing me awake, he didn't say anything at first. I stopped rubbing my eye.

"Good morning," I said. He looked like he didn't believe what he had heard. Perhaps he thought that I was still drunk.

"Good... G-Good morning," he returned. He gathered his senses. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I did. So did Rio, I reckon." I glanced at his figure. In the dimness of the room, I could see his limbs strewn in strange places, his body turned and his cheek pressed firmly against the pillow, making his face look funny. I smiled slightly. "Did you?"

"Yes." He looked ragged, so obviously that wasn't the case. We had both decided to lie. "I came down to set some water. Would you like a coffee? Breakfast?"

"No thanks to the coffee, and I helped myself to the fridge sometime earlier. I've already had my breakfast."

He nodded, and he went into the kitchen. I watched him as he filled the kettle up and heated the stove. He went to the refrigerator and opened its door, peeking inside. The stillness in his body told me straight away that he was shocked at what he saw. I smiled tiredly.

"I know... Raptors and their appetites, eh?"

He laughed at my comment; a tired chuckle. "A couple slabs of meat is not bad."

"I suppose, if you consider a couple pounds to be nothing. But I'm glad you're taking this quite well."

He laughed again, and he proceeded to take out some ingredients for his own breakfast. He left them prepared on the small table by the counter, then came out of the kitchen. Before heading back upstairs to wash himself, he asked me again if I really didn't want anything. I verified this, and he went back upstairs, looking rather indecisive. I turned my attention to the television, which was now broadcasting more accurate information and the upcoming events of the day ahead. I continued massaging my right hand.

The kettle started whistling shrilly, and I heard Luchas hastily finishing up his routine. I stood up and went to the kitchen to take it off the stove, and when I had done so, Luchas was speeding down the stairs in a huff. I set the red-hot appliance on a small piece of granite in the middle of the table. He bowed his head a little.

"Thank you for getting that."

"No problem."

We maneuvered around each other and I planned to leave the kitchen entirely, but his voice stopped me.

"Will you be... coming with me?"

I waited a moment to collect my thoughts. "No. I'll stay here with Rio until he wakes up. Someone needs to be nearby to take care of him. We'll leave together, whether that be before or after you come back."

"I see."

"But that does remind me..." I started, slightly turning my head. I turned around completely. "I'd like to ask you a favour, if I could."

"Anything. What do you want me to do?" he asked. I tried to overlook his willingness.

"When I arrived on the Terra, I didn't park my ride properly," I continued. "You probably didn't see it in the dark when you left the clinic, but you'll definitely see it at a nearby tree. It's going to rain today, so I only ask that you move it closer to the building. There should be a slab of roof where you could you could park it under. I don't want her to rust."

"Of course. I'll do what you ask."

"...thank you," I said, nodding curtly. I knew I had said that yesterday to him at some point, but it still felt a little strange, to say that to this Cyclonian. I left the kitchen and returned to my place in the living room.

He shortly finished his meal and left his home, bidding me farewell and leaving his property. I watched his form disappear from the edge of the window, and when he exited my sight completely, I turned around and followed the ascending steps with my eyes, along to where I knew his room was. Urging my tired muscles forward, I climbed the steps and slothfully opened the door to his room. I took in the mess before me, noting the attempt of creating law and order. Clothes put aside, a bed made with pajamas folded neatly. It was the desk that seemed catastrophic, with papers and notebooks scattered everywhere. I went up to it in investigation, setting aside that foul taste in my mouth. He's a Cyclonian. He deserves to be snooped into.

But I didn't find anything fishy. In fact, I was surprised with what I found... much of what I saw were truthful medical notes. I saw many names I recognized, especially the names of the children that remained. Their conditions were recorded, and personal notes were added underneath their profiles. These consisted of reminders to himself and hypotheses, but I always found some sort of chemical equation or formula. There were many failed trials, but there were answers circled in red, and he wrote in slanted cursive; solution? He would then go into how to apply this cure, and I smiled at how prudent he seemed.

As I expected though, there was a piece of paper concerning me. Well, concerning my blood. The heading said Beta. I felt a deep resentment for that, so I guess I was diving into the document with a more critical judgement. I picked it up and slightly sat back against the desk, peering at it under the morning light. He was comparing myself to the other time he had worked with me —back as a kid—, and apparently, he believed that I went through a lot of changes. He said I might have become more crystal-like, but he wrote down a side-note, saying that he would have to look more into that. Underlined was the word, only with her permission. It sort of felt eerie that he was researching into my blood. I reminded myself that he was doctor. Nevertheless, it just felt weird.

But I felt better when I read about how he was applying it to his work. The serum he created for Adam didn't have a trace of my blood in it, so it meant that if I died, the serum would survive for many years to come. It would save more lives when I was gone. My blood was just a variable he used in its development. Even though the use of my blood felt like I was being used, I liked that it was aiding the creation of something good. I counted the other serums and solutions being considered, and I hoped they would be a success, too.

As much as I didn't like to think of it, the clinic had started to become a place where people came and waited to die. Now things would start brightening, and more people would be spared. I set the paper down, crossed my arms and smiled softly.

Maybe... just maybe... Luchas would be able to fulfill his promise.

"...anyone there? ...Repton?"

Repton didn't wake up entirely at first, but when his mind recollected his surroundings, he woke himself abruptly. He looked around to make sure that Cyclonis wasn't there to catch him, and when he was relieved of this, he turned his attention to the Eye. He took notice of Luchas walking down the street, so he felt like he didn't miss much. His armour felt heavy, and his scales felt cramped in those areas, so he decided to strip himself of it.

"Repton? ...Master Cyclonis?"

Repton forgot that he was being summoned. After setting down his equipment, he reached forward and touched the surface of the Eye. "What do you want?" he yawned irritably.

"Oh... I just wanted to know if you were there."

"I'm always here, until Cyclonis dismisses me."

"So you were sleeping there?"

"I wasn't sleeping on the job," he grumbled. "Don't you tell anyone otherwise, or I'll..."

"I'll take your warning to heart," he replied before the lizard finished. His surroundings started to wake up, but no one was close enough to hear his and Repton's conversation. If anyone was, they would probably think Luchas was talking to himself. It was a dreary morning anyway; colours drained away, with a few puddles already collecting. The rain was having a break, it seemed.

"Where's Nakoto?" Repton asked.

"Back at my home. She insisted upon staying to care for the Aquanosian... maybe I should have left the Eye with her. At least you would keep an eye on her."

"You think she would sift through your things?"

"...I didn't think of that, but there isn't anything there to imply anything suspicious. No, I thought that maybe you'd like to watch her rather than watch my daily job. She's the one you're observing, after all."

Needless to say, Repton's cheeks started to burn. " 'That I'd like to watch her'? Do I seem like a stalker to you?"

"You're very easy to anger. I apologize."

Repton growled and snatched his hand away from the Eye. It was too early in the morning to get annoyed. Since Luchas was simply walking to work, Repton decided that he needed to wake himself up further. Wash up, find some food, stretch his muscles.

The Raptor used the washroom adjoining the study, despite it lacking a shower. He had to wash himself based on what he had to his disposal, since he believed in a little hygiene. The sink was more than enough to cool off the scales of this upper body. Afterward, he exited the room and went out to seek a Cyclonian to get him food. He was glad he didn't meet Cyclonis during this venture, because he wasn't in the mood to see her. After what Luchas said, he didn't want to see her for a long time, not until he was ready to speak to her about it. If it was true at all, that was.

It took him a while to get a Cyclonian to get on with the job, and when he returned to wait for his meal, he was met with a storm of noise. Shouts.

"W-Wait!"

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Intruder!"

"Stop, please!"

Repton's head inclined and he strode over to the Eye. The image was jumbled about as Luchas was apprehended. From what he could see, he saw trees, a white building... Nakoto's ride... Eventually Luchas was thrown to the ground, onto his stomach, and he remained stationary, his arms drawn to his back. Nakoto's vehicle was standing close to the building, which Repton could only guess was the medical facility. Feet got in the way of the Eye, and the men made Luchas immobile.

"We already dealt with you yesterday," one of them said. That verified his occupation. "What are you doing now, huh? Planning to escape?"

"No! That vehicle's not mine!"

"Well, that much is obvious!" the other Enforcer scoffed. "He was planning to steal it."

"No!" Luchas' face was forced in the dirt, so his voice was muffled. "This belongs to Nakoto... she asked a favour of me!"

Repton couldn't tell from where he was, but the men looked at each other. They muttered something quickly to one another, then one of them ran. As his footbeats receded, the remaining Enforcer pulled Luchas up roughly.

"Okay, you're coming with me. Over here."

"Wh-What's going on?"

"Just shut up and go!"

He shoved Luchas to the wall of the facility, where Nakoto's ride was stationed. This was far from the front doors, or from any window in general. Luchas' back slammed into the structure, and Repton got a good look of the Enforcer. Young, but ruthless. He looked like he was just appointed his job, and yet he had as much experience and confidence as an old-time veteran. Dark hair and dark eyes, a strong and lean build, dressed in formal, durable uniform. He had a small tool at his side, and Repton recognized the light emitting from it; a Paralysing crystal.

"Now, what you're going to do is sit here and remain silent," he said coldly. He pushed the Cyclonian down the wall into a sitting position, then he stepped back. "The Chancellor will be here soon. He would definitely want to speak with you."

They were silent then, as they waited. Thunder rumbled in the absence of flashing lightning, reminding them that rain would come again. Luchas stayed motionless in fear of being beaten down. The Enforcer paced back and forth in front of him, often tapping the Paralysing tool at his side. His expression was stone-like, as if it couldn't maintain a smile without his features crumbling. How could someone so young be so cold? Repton was curious, impressed... if he didn't know better, he would have thought him a Cyclonian. Maybe he was one in disguise...? But if that were the case, he'd be treating Luchas a little more decently. Unless he was like Repton; bitter among his own kind.

The Cyclonian servant Repton appointed brought him breakfast, and he was immediately dismissed. Repton didn't touch his food for a good while, intent on catching any upcoming events, but it seemed that they would wait for a lengthy time, so he began to eat. Eggs and roasted meat, all of which he devoured. When he nearly finished cleaning his plate, figures appeared out the trees, entering the clearing that lead to the facility.

There was the Enforcer who left, accompanied by two older men. One Repton recognized and matched a name. Mr. Ion looked just as displeased as he had the other time, perhaps even uninterested. The other was someone Repton had a very small memory of glimpsing, but he couldn't put his finger on it. This man was the eldest of them, hair glistening grey, drooping now in the damp weather. His face was lined with deep wrinkles, some deepened further by the worry on his face. He did look upon Luchas with a distrusting glare, but he approached quickly as if meeting a dear, lost friend. Both he and Ion wore parliament clothing under thick overcoats to counter the rain.

He and the others stopped when the Enforcer in charge of Luchas stepped up to them. The eldest looked past him as if he was an obstacle.

"My Lord Chancellor, sir," the young Enforcer said in reverence. "I'm sorry to bring you out in such murky conditions."

"What is going on?" the man asked anxiously. "What does this man have to do with Nakoto?"

"We believe he knows where she is."

The Chancellor stared past him again to Luchas, who sidled up the wall slowly. The official tried to dispel the weakness of distress on his face as he stared at him, but a fraction of it still remained. He side-stepped around the Enforcer and advanced toward him, with Ion following close behind. He stopped at a safe distance.

"What have you done to her?" he demanded. Luchas shook his head urgently, answering the implication in his words negative.

"I have done nothing, Lord Chancellor," he replied softly, most likely adding that honorific to ease the man's suspicion. "Nakoto is fine."

"Then where is she?"

"She's... staying at my residence, looking after... an Aquanosian friend of hers. She... asked me to move her vehicle out... out of the rain."

Those pauses in his sentences didn't help with his story. His nerves must have started jumping, and now he looked like he was lying. Ion sighed and cast his eyes to the side. He wrinkled his nose for a second, and the mole under his eye was temporarily consumed by this movement.

"Running after Nakoto like she's some lost child," he muttered. "This is utterly irresponsible of her."

"Thank you, Mr. Ion," the Chancellor said curtly. He turned his attention to Luchas again. "You are not lying to me, are you?"

Luchas shook his head desperately, then bowed his head. "I tell you the truth. I... I will take you to her, if you wish."

"Oh, I wish it," he emphasized. "It is very, very important that I speak with her. Lead the way."

He didn't sound angry, but it was definitely something of a stern, vexed emotion. Luchas nodded, and he inched forward and around the officials. The Enforcers stood by, tense and about to take Luchas down if need be, but when the Chancellor held his hand up, they melted down and followed behind the Cyclonian. Like a robot, the doctor lead the way back to his home without saying a word.

They arrived in the neighbourhood after some time, and once Luchas turned and stepped through the gate, the Chancellor strode past him powerfully, a microcosm of the approaching storm. How an old man like that had so much vigour was undecided. He climbed the steps and pounded his fist upon the door. Perhaps his anger was more evident here. Luchas jumped at the thunderous sounds and followed the man, making sure to keep the gate open for the others.

"No need, sir, I have the key right here—" Luchas said, but by the time he fumbled and pulled the key out of his pocket, the door opened. Nakoto looked cross upon opening it.

Her expression changed dramatically. From the death of annoyance rose the essence of alarm, and she started smiling a little, looking terrified.

"Nakoto!"

Oh, come on...

"Nakoto!" Tatu roared at me. I flinched.

"Oh... Um, hello, Chancellor, sir."

He stormed through Luchas' doorway toward me, and I was so scared that I wanted to keep my distance from him. It wasn't that he was dangerous, or that he ever hit me, no... he was just so intimidating, I hardly ever saw him angry. This was why I didn't want to drop in so late at night.

Well, as he backed me up further into the house, I saw Luchas on the veranda, looking petrified himself. He tried to follow us in, but Tatu had kicked the door closed. I heard Luchas stumble from the shock, then I heard some bushes rustle. A curse. He might had fallen into the undergrowth, or lost his key... maybe it was good that he wasn't here with us. This was embarrassing.

Tatu continued to rush at me, his face red with stress. "Where have you been!"

I reached up and scratched the back of my neck, still backing up. "Um... around... you know..."

"You should've come to me!"

"I wanted to do that yesterday, but... and I was planning to today..."

Tatu stopped and his eyes narrowed at me. "I highly doubt that."

My tongue flickered out with remorse. "Tatu, I'm sorry, but there were issues I ha—"

"Issues that stopped you from checking with me? To make sure I didn't worry myself sick over you?"

"You knew I was on the Terra—"

"And if I hadn't, what then? Do you think I wouldn't notice?" I gave him a look of confusion and was about to question him, but he just continued, his voice growing in crescendo:

"Cyclonians swarmed the skies when you headed out. They stayed abroad when you did. Now, when you've returned, do you think it's just a coincidence that they withdrew their forces? They are hunting you, Nakoto. Cyclonis knows you're alive!"

"I know that," I grumbled. I knew that I was in the wrong, but Tatu didn't have to remind me of things I already knew. I was starting to lose my patience.

"So you knew the risks, and yet didn't report to me? I was close to sending a squadron to look for you—"

"I am not a child anymore!" I retorted. My voice rivalled his now. "Why do you underestimate me, Tatu? I'm a fully-grown Raptor! I can take care of myself!"

"I know you're an adult, but even adults can't fend off so many Talons by themselves! And just because you're old enough, or independent enough...that gives you no reason to disobey me!" Tatu stopped to catch his breath, staring at me sternly. He then squared off his shoulders and fixed the cuffs of his overcoat as he said in a lower undertone: "You leave me with no choice... I now discharge you of your duties."

My own shoulders squared off, stiff, temporarily shocked.

"What?" I stepped toward him with beseeching hands. "You can't do this!"

"The Atmos is too dangerous for you right now. And look at your hand, your shoulder; you're just not in the condition to be out there!"

This was getting out of hand, and I was getting frustrated. I've already had someone take over for me from time to time, but on a possibly-permanent hiatus? "Who will take my place?"

"Someone less conspicuous than you. They will get the job done. They may not get it done as quickly as you would, but it shall be done."

"Less conspicuous? I have my—" I reached up to my chest to grasp my mechanism for disguise, but all I met was a bare chest and a shattered stub. I stood there like an idiot, tongue-tied. Tatu saw this immediately and stared at me accusingly.

"No, you don't. You used your Cloaking Crystal to its limit! Tell me, when has that ever happened before?"

"I was playing a game with it, and it was my own fault. It... It won't happen again!"

"I won't say it again, Nakoto," he accentuated slowly and acidly. "Until further notice, you aren't to report to your duties."

"But—"

"But—nothing!"

With the amount of force and anger he put into his voice, he pushed himself too far. He started coughing uncontrollably, covering his mouth with his hand. My own anger started to disintegrate as I watched him, crumbling my defenses. He stumbled forward and nearly hit the ground if I hadn't intervened and caught him by the shoulders. We sank to the ground together, and I held onto him until his coughing subsided.

He was unbelievably frail under my touch, and I was reminded that he really was just an old man. Truly, he should have been one of the most vulnerable, and yet he could talk to a Raptor like myself without any fear of retaliation. I respected him for that, despite the fact that it was used against me on countable occasions. At this moment though —a moment of his weakness—, I couldn't help but feel sorry for him, and be angry at myself. If I hadn't made such a big fuss...

His breath came out in lengthy rasps, and he was on his way to recovering his normal pattern. He was okay, and I exhaled in relief.

"...I only care for you."

My eyes softened, and I sighed. "My home is out there, Tatu. Not here."

He looked up at me and his brows knitted upwards. Honestly, it could have broken my heart, and I started regretting saying that. "You... still feel that way?" he breathed.

"I love it here, I do," I said. "Everyone is kind and I wouldn't want to meet nicer people, but... I don't belong here."

Tatu reached up and took my right hand. He grasped it tightly.

"Of course you do," he whispered softly. I shook my head.

"I don't belong on any Terra I've seen, but there are many more. My... new Oasium may be out there." I blinked my eyes when they started to film over. "I... I just have to find it!"

I could hear Rio starting to wake up. I look over to him, partly as an excuse to hide my eyes away from Tatu. However, he still reached over and turned my jaw toward him. He stared into my eyes for a long time, then nodded. "You will, you will. But right now, you will stay here. Understood?"

I said nothing, uncertain and drained.

"You won't deliver any more letters. Promise me."

"I promise."

Had I any choice?

"You won't leave until I tell you it's safe." Again, I hesitated. "Promise me."

"I... promise."

No. I had no choice in that matter.

Repton couldn't hear much of Nakoto and the Chancellor's conversation, and neither could Luchas, undoubtably. They could hear some words, when they reached the highest volume, but then they dwindled into nothing, making the waiting a lot more unnerving.

When the door was shut, the Cyclonian had stumbled back into his front garden. The Enforcers stepped in to pull him out, but the aid was not offered in concern. Mr. Ion watched him from under the canopy of the veranda, scoffing to himself. Mud spotted Athene's Eye, and Repton felt compelled to lean forward and wipe the grime away. As if that would do any good.

They stayed on the veranda as the storm clouds overshadowed Atmosia, and soon the rain came down hard, in sheets. It came all of a sudden, and soon the mud on Athene's Eye was washed away by the mist. The humans stepped away from the edge until the downpour calmed a little. Ion pulled his overcoat closer to himself, staring out into the storm with a pensive look on his face. The Enforcers stood together, muttering to one another as if they were on lunch break. The one that took care of Luchas continued to tap the Paralyser at his side.

Soon the door opened, and the Chancellor stepped out first, followed by Nakoto and Rio, now awake. The Aquanosian was a sore sight; the events of the night before came back to him tenfold or something. Or maybe the alcohol was too much for him. Nakoto didn't look that great herself, most likely from whatever she discussed with the Chancellor. She looked around at them with a distant air, then considered the rain as it poured down.

"I hope you've apologized to the Chancellor," Ion addressed Nakoto. "You've caused him much unnecessary trouble."

"I have, rest assured," she replied. She continued distastefully: "I'm very sorry to have inconvenienced you as well, Mr. Ion."

The official huffed, and he pulled a black umbrella from beneath his coat. He opened it up and held it above the Chancellor. "Is it time to return?"

"Yes; there is much work to be done today." The Chancellor turned his gaze to Nakoto. "You will go to the facility?"

The Raptoress looked toward Rio, whose own gaze seemed empty. "Yes. There are some... children to see."

"I see." The Chancellor turned to Luchas next. He looked at him inconclusively. "I still don't know what to do with you... so for now, I relieve you of your duties."

"...permanently?" Luchas asked. He sounded dispirited. Perhaps he was thinking about what Cyclonis would do to him, now that he was fired. Nakoto glanced at him, then stepped closer to the Chancellor, bringing her snout closer to his ear. His eyes widened after she finished whispering and he gawked at her, incredulous. She nodded.

"Are you sure about this?" he inquired in a hoarse breath. Nakoto posed herself and whispered in his ear again, then nodded with assurance.

Rio wandered forward, into the downpour of the rain. He was walking slowly, looking like he was lost. His face was to the heavens, letting it beat down and run across his skin. Nakoto had followed him with his eyes shortly after her exchange with the Chancellor, then turned and smiled softly at the official.

"I guess we'll head out," she said. "I'll report back to you later."

"As you should," the Chancellor said, but he still looked confused. Nakoto descended a a step, just inches from going out into the rain. Then she turned her gaze to Luchas. She paused.

"Thanks for your hospitality," she said at last. "I will see you soon."

What she meant by that, it was undetermined. Was she going to visit his home again or something? Or—?

"Do you need an umbrella?" the Chancellor asked Nakoto. She shook her head, laughing, and stepped into the rain.

"I'm a desert lizard. Where I come from, rain is a rarity. I better enjoy it while I still can."

The Chancellor smiled softly in response. She made it to Rio's side, who still remained transfixed by the drops advancing at him. She set a hand on his shoulder and broke him out of his trance, and he looked at her. She smiled gently, the droplets of rain trailing down the contours of her face and body. She nodded, and they both left, unshielded from the weather.

The Chancellor sighed, dipping his hand into his pocket and retrieving some gloves. "I can't believe I'm doing this." He turned to Luchas and beckoned him closer. Casting a wary eye to the Enforcers nearby, he did so.

"You're to return to your post tomorrow," the official told him. Repton wasn't surprised, but Luchas was. "Under one condition, of course."

"Yes, anything!" Luchas gasped. The Chancellor looked reluctant, but he pulled his gloves on with a professional air and went about saying it.

"You will always stay in the company of Nakoto, so that she can keep an eye on you. This was her request," he told him. "Wherever she goes, you go. Wherever you go, she goes. Is that understood?"

What were the chances of the enemy allowing exactly what Cyclonis wanted?

"I understand."

End of Chapter

A/N: Hi!

I said that I won't be writing too many author's notes anymore, but this is important.

I'll be away from the computer for a month, so no updates during the time between July 10th and August 11th. I'm going away to see and stay with my relatives in Poland :) I'll be sure to bring my notebook with me, in case I have any loose dialogue and new ideas to record. When I return, I hope to write much more before the start of university.

Oh God, university.

That's a different story waiting me to dive into. XD

~Vixen