Terra Atmosia.
The Heart of the Atmos herself.
For hundreds of years, through wars, plague, and distress the Kingdom had stood tall. A testament of hope and prosperity. Even through crooked kings and queens, power hungry nobles, and the evolution of technology it still stands.
From the year 247 to the great year of 1014.
Today it is lead under King Regus, Great King of Atmosia and Protector of the Mother Terras.
As one enters the gates of Atmosia you cannot help but notice the grandness of the architecture. From the towering spires that surround the central square, to the magnificent palace itself.
A man once said, "the true measure of a civilization lies in how they treat their most vulnerable members."
King Regus, even through the war has put much effort into the care and relief of it's poorer citizens. However, due to the war with Master Anarchis and her Cyclonian Talons, supplies are being managed and supervised for rations.
This is why the Sky Knights have been dispatched to assist with distribution of foodstuffs to those less fortunate.
The Sky Knights would not know until later that their efforts and presence would light the spark for the future of not only their Order, but the Atmos as a whole.
- Intro, Birds Eye View -
"Lightning-! Lightning-! Breakfast is ready, dear-!" His mother called out, making breakfast in their small worn down kitchen.
She was a rather pretty woman. Her long blonde hair braided behind her. She and her son were by no means well off, but she did her part to keep things nice.
She could hear her son awake upstairs. The woman untying her old apron as she walked up to his room.
"Lightning." She said, peering through his door. The young boy jumping on his knees as he looked out his window to the Docks outside.
"And what has you so excited, young man?" His mother questioned with a smile. Lightning turning to see his mom as he pointed out the window. "Mom, look-!" He yelled, bouncing in his bed. His mother, putting the tray of food aside as she joined her son at the window. Looking out to see what had him so enthralled.
There were two ships coming down to dock at the Sky piers. The High Flyers, and the Clound Niners. Two well known, but smaller Sky Knight squadrons.
"Mom-! Can we go-! Can we-!? Please-!?" Lightning begged, taking his mother's hand as she smiled. "I don't see why not...Heh, just like your father, you got your head in the sky." She beamed.
"Cmon-! Lets go-! Lets go-!" Lightning cheered, running out his room. His mother walking out, grabbing her coat. "Now, slow down." The boy had already run ahead of his mother, looking out the door. His mother smiling as she sprinted after her boy.
The sun was high in the sky, the air was fresh and crisp, and the sound of skimmers could be heard in the distance.
"Oooh, Lightning, wait for me-!" Lockett, a young refugee boy chimed. The lad seeing the other run down the docks.
"Hurry-! Hurry-! They're almost here-!" Lightning hollered, waving his arms up in the air as he stopped at the dock. His mother, finally catching her breath. Lockett catching up to his friend, the bigger boy ramming against his scrawny friends shoulders. Lockett tugging the other as the two boys tried to slip to the front of the small crowd.
Lightning's mother peaking over the shoulders of the other people to keep an eye on them.
"Boys!"
"Sorry, Ms. Electra-!" Lockett, called back. Lightning laughing as he grabbed onto his friend's arm. "Over there-! I think I see them-!"
The boys could see the sky knights in the far off distance. The Sky Knights helping their squads load off this months rations to the civilians.
"Wow-! Look Lockett-! There's the Cloud Niners-!" Lightning beamed. Lockett staring up in awe. "Yeah-! And the High Fliers-!"
One of the squadies seen the two. The man chuckling a second as he nudged his comrade. The man turning to see the two young boys. "Look, the Cloud Niners-! And the High Fliers-!"
Lockett and Lightning waved at the two with large smiles. The two having the biggest grins as they seen the man come over.
The squadron member walking over to the two boys, kneeling in front of the children. He was a tall man, a scar across his forehead, and dark brown hair with a mustache.
"And what would your names be?" He smiled to the two kids.
"My name is Lockett-!" "And I'm Lightning-!" The two boys beamed.
"Lightning-?! What an excellent name, young man. My name is Callon."
Their eyes got wide. "Your the wingman for the High Fliers!" The two boys chimed. Lockett bouncing as Lightning tugged his friend. "We saw your last battle, you took down one of Cyclonia's carriers!"
The man chuckled, scratching behind his head. "Yeah."
"You're Duke Laufferdy's second-in-command. That's really cool-!" Lightning stated. Callon smirking at that. You must read the news."
"I try to." Lightning responded. Callon nodding at that.
"Reading is a good skill. Many battles have been won by studying the past." Callon stated, the boys nodding their heads.
"Well, I hope you two grow up to be sky knights yourselves. There's a war going on, and we need all the good men we can get."
"...But, I thought only Noblemen could become Sky Knights..." Lightning asked, his eyebrows raised at that.
"Hm~" Callon stifled a chuckle, "Then, I suggest you read up on the Mauve's. Lady Lavender came from the Docks, just like you boys. There's always a way. Dreams are made, and broken every day. But the real question is, if you're willing to work for it. And fight for it. Then, you might just have a chance."
"Thanks, sir." The two boys chimed. Lightning getting this look in his eye, Lockett smiling a little at that.
"Take care, and keep reading those books, Lightning." Callon patted the boy on the shoulder. "Perhaps you, and I may be allies one day."
Lightning grinned big. Nodding his head. "Yeah, perhaps we will."
"Lockett-! Lightning-!" Ms. Electra called out. Lockett turning his head as the woman waved her arms. Electra setting down as she huffed. Electra having to push through the people to get to them. "Do not run off from me like that." She scolded, Lightning rubbing the back of his neck. Lockett looking down at his shoes.
"Sorry, mom." Lightning apologized. Electra shaking her head as she looked at the sky knights.
"We were alright, Ms. Electra. The sky knights are here."
"Yes, well, They won't protect you both from an angry mom. Their mothers most likely scolded them to if they were as troublesome." Electra sighed. The woman pinching at their ears. "You both are just a pair of rascals~!"
Electra ruffled the hair on their heads. Lightning groaning. Lockett chuckled as he fixed his hair.
"Alright, now, There is a line. You both can watch the Sky Knights while I tend to things. Do not run off, understand?"
"Yes, mom."
Electra, nodded as she went into the crowd.
"Gosh, Lightning, your mom is so scary." Lockett whispered, watching her walk into the mass of people.
"She can be...She's a good mom. She's just trying to keep us safe."
"Hm..." Lockett nodded. Lightning patting his friend's shoulder. He knew Lockett was from Terra Amazonia. It was a matriarchal society of that terra, and when boys reached the age of 10, they were sent off.
"C'mon. Let's see if we can get closer." Lightning said, Lockett's eyes brightened at that. The boys pushing past people, careful not to run into anyone.
Lightning following Lockett before, "Oof-".
Lightning had ran into a man working at the Docks. He was rubbing his side. Lightning felt bad, as he gathered himself.
"Hey, now! Slow down ther', kid. 'Bout damn near made me drop my bolt." The Dockworker scolded. Lightning looking up, apologizing.
"Oh, sorry, mister-!"
"It's fine. Jus' be careful. Not everyone's so easy goin'." The older man taught.
"I'm sorry,...what are yo-" Lightning looked up. It was a beautiful ship. A bit rusted in some places, but it was an awesome scene for the nerdy kid. "Whoa-"
"Heh, Ya' like ma' ship, aye? Yea. She's a beauty, al'right. My Grand pappy built her back in 984."
"Cool." Lightning remarked.
"Yea. Been in my family fer' three generations now."
"Does she have a name?" Lightning grinned.
"The Condor."
Lightning smiled, his eyes wide. "Cool. I'm Lightning. This is my friend, Lockett." Lightning stated, pointing to his friend.
"Lockett. Lightning. I'm Garoth. Ya seem ta' know yer' Carrier Ships, kid."
"A little...I've read a lot about Skimmers. I'd love to fly someday."
"Heh, Well, yea. I'm the Pilot. The Condor. We're the Storm Hawks. Heard o' Us?" Garoth questioned, the boy nodding his head.
"Yeah...Yeah-! You're the trading company! Oh man, I read about you in the paper! You helped the Interceptors when they were stranded. The paper said that you out ran a whole armada to help get them to reinfocrments!"
"Hm, We try ta' help the best we can. But, yes. That's the story. Hm~" Garoth chuckled a little.
"Is that why your fixing her up? It said you were shot at a couple times."
"More than a couple-!" Garoth snorted. "Those dang Murk Raiders have been comin' after us. But, Yes. Me 'n the crew are fixin' her up before we go back to Terra Mesa. We're due for a delivery. Her engines rattling and It give me 'n awful headache at the damn helm."
Lightning frowned, Lockett leaning against his friend. "That sucks."
"Hm, Don't worry, boys. Ol' Garoth won't let'a ol' carrier get the better of him. She's just as stubborn as the bastards that pilot 'er. But, Yea. I gotta fix her up. Get her working right." Garoth stated, Lightning smiled.
"Where are ya' boys from, then? Atmosia seems too big for younguns like yerselves ta' be wanderin' about."
"We live here."
"On the Docks? Huh..." Garoth, raised an eyebrow. "So, whar're the parents?"
"My mom never talked much about my dad,...but said he died. Mom, is at the tavern inn."
"An Innkeeper?"
"Waitress."
"Hm, an' Your dad? What, he die in the war?"
"No." Lightning shook his head. "Momma says he died in the Great War, when Cyclonian first attacked."
Garoth's brow raised at that. The man nodding before looking back to his ship. "Well, what 'bout you then, buckeroo?" He nodded to Lockett.
"I was born on Terra Amazonia," Lockett started. Garoth muttering 'damn-' under his breath.
"I got it from there, Kid. Must be tough as nails then-!" He tried to encourage. Lockett shrugging his shoulders. "Here-...Y'all mind helping an ole' man with somethin' real fast?"
"What?" Lightning asked.
"I'm try'na get into this panel here, but the bolts stuck, and so I can't keep hold on the panel to keep it from slipping through the docks. Think, ya' boys can help me with that?"
Lightning shrugged. "Sure, Why not-! Lockett, stay there-!"
Garoth got into position, holding the panel. Lightning grabbing the wrench as he pulled on it, the bolt being stuck tight as lightning struggled against it. Lightning grunting some before he managed to get it loose. The panel coming off from the side as Garoth managed to get it off.
"There we go. Thank ya, kid." Garoth smirked.
Lightning handing him the wrench.
"Hmm, well, thanks fer' the help, boys. Tell y'all what, how'd like a tour?"
"Of the Condor-?!"
"Yeah, if ya' make sure it's alright wit' ya' ma. I'll let y'all see the helm and everything. Books can only explain so much. Sometimes ya' gotta see it fer' yerself."
Lightning and Lockett shared a look before they cheered, jumping around. "Yes, yes, yes-!"
Garoth laughing, the man looking up as he seen a woman coming over.
"Boys, what did I say about going out of sight?" Electra stated, the woman raising her eyebrows at Garoth.
Lightning and Lockett stopping as Lockett's shoulder fell.
"Hello, Ma'am. Name's Garoth Fairfield, I'm the captain of the Storm Hawks Trading company."
"Hello, I'm sorry if they bothered you, sir. I'm Electra."
"Nah. Y'all's boys helped me out wit' a stuck bolt. So, I was offering 'em a tour of the Condor. If that's alright with ya'."
"Hm?" She looked up.
"Yer' boy seems ta' really like pilotin'. I remember beggin' my pappy to let me see the bridge when I was young. Figured I could offer a tour."
Electra rubbed the back of her neck, her eyes going to the boys. Lightning rocking on his heels, his hands behind his back. "Alright. But you better behave, boys. Listen to Mr. Fairfield, and don't touch anything. Understand?" Electra warned, her eyes going to Lockett. The lad nodding his head.
Lightning jumping up, running over to his mother and hugging her. "Thanks, mom. You're the greatest."
"Alright then, come on. It would be rude to take too much time away from the man's work." She said, motioning forward as Garoth allowed the three aboard.
"Right this way. Boys, Stay close."
Lightning and Lockett looked around at the carrier ship. Garoth leading them through the hull.
"This is the Condor's belly. Most of the cargo's stored here. Though my crew thinks it's the company slacker storage." Garoth teased, Lightning smiling as Lockett snickered.
"Like a storage bay."
"Exactly."
"Most carriers store skimmers in the hangers." Lightning pointed out.
"Yea, she's a different sort. Though, there is some Squadrons that repurposed old ships to fight. Some Squadrons don't even have carriers, or skimmers, others have large gunners, and smaller fighters. Each Squadron is different, and has their own style and their own purpose."
Lightning and Lockett listening as the two continued walking through the ship.
Garoth banging on one of the doors. "Merrick, git' out here. We got guests."
The door slide open as a young boy stepped out. "Ello?"
"Merrick, Je m'appelle." Garoth said.
The young kid nodding. "I'm Merrick. It's a pleasure~" He grinned.
"Merrick's our cleaning boy. Was on Terra Gale and he was looking for work. He's been flyin' with us."
"I'm looking for ma mère and mon papa. Garoth helped me." Merrick said before putting a hand out each to the other two boys.
Lightning smiling at him. "Nice to meet you, Merrick. I'm Lightning, and this is Lockett."
"Bonjour, Lightning, et Lockett." Merrick shook the boys hands.
"I've never meet anyone from Gale before." Lightning stated.
"Galian sounds cool." Lockett added.
"I am learning more Common Atmosian. I grew up speaking Galian." Merrick explained.
Lightning grinned big, Lockett smiling at that.
"C'mere. Let's show the boys around." Garoth mentioned, the boys nodding as he led them deeper into the Condor.
The three boys talking. Garoth glad Merrick was meeting kids his age. The boy spending most of his time either helping clean, or studying the Storm Hawks' maps.
Garoth walked to the helm, the boys' eyes were wide. Merrick smiling big before the intercom came over.
"Hey, Boss. I found a belt loose."
"Which one?" Garoth answered.
"It's 'round the landing gear!."
"Thanks, John. Get 'er goin'."
"On It."
Garoth motioned to the helm. "When she's in workin' order. I can take the Condor anywhere. Terra Gale, Terra Mesa. Anywhere, we got a delivery. We get it there. Safely, and on time."
Lightning and Lockett amazed at the bridge as Garoth smiled, looking back to Merrick who was grinning, his eyes bright.
"Garoth." Electra came up. "Thank you for showing them around. I'm sure it's made their day."
"It's no problem. Boys been great help, and a nice distraction fer' Merrick, there." Garoth chuckled, Electra smiling a little.
Lightning looking back at his mother as she kissed his forehead. "If you find yourself here at the Docks. You and your crew can stop by the tavern. I'm sure it's tiresome living off packaged meals."
"Hah, I 'preciate it, Ma'am. I try to keep the crew on fresh foods if i can though, 'specially wit' Merrick flyin' along. Boy's been through it."
Electra nodding.
"Say goodbye, Boys." Electra stated.
"Thanks for the tour, Garoth." Lightning said, Lockett doing the same.
"Yeah, thank you."
"Y'all er' welcome. We'll be here a few days if y'all boys want to hang around. I'm sure Merrick'd enjoy gettin' out of the ship a while."
"He's not used to the Docks?" Lightning asked.
"He grew up in Gale. Been on the Condor fer' months now."
"Gotcha." Lockett stated, the boys waving goodbye. "We'll hang out tomorrow, Merrick! See ya!"
Merrick waving as Electra lead them out, Garoth chuckling.
Lightning was smiling ear to ear. Lockett and him going off about how awesome the day had been. Lightning's dreams of exploring the sky coming true, thanks to his new friend, Merrick, and Garoth Fairfield.
Garoth is a kind hearted, old sea dog. He's lived through many wars, and he's seen a lot in his lifetime. It was nice to see Merrick making friends. Garoth seeing a lot of his younger self in the hopeful youth. Some days, it was the light they helped bring that got people through.
"Mom, I want to join the Sky Knight Academy. When I'm old enough." Lightning said, Electra looking to her son. The woman having taken the night shift at the tavern inn. Electra pausing for a moment.
She looked down to Lightning and Lockett. So many thoughts going through her mind before she smiled. "I believe you both can do anything you set your minds to. As much trouble you both can be." She teased.
"Come on boys, it's been a long day."
Electra leading the boys back into their home, and tucked Lightning in. Lockett sleeping on the floor mattress.
Lightning closing his eyes. Lightning's dreams were vivid. His imagination taking him to places he's never seen, and worlds beyond his dreaming about the sky knight academy. He could see himself with his own squad. Him and Lockett becoming sky knights, and exploring the world. Lightning being tucked tight, as he dreamt away the night, Lightning smiling as he was filled with joy.