Chapter 17: King for a Day

(Intro)

"Squadron log: Alright! I admit it. We're lost. So, my directions were a little off. It's not like it's a big disaster." Piper narrated. The Storm Hawks were flying through the night sky. Apparently lost. "This is a big disaster. Flying at night, where too many things can sneak up on you." Stork said. Suddenly, Junko snuck up behind him and grabbed his leg. Stork let out a loud startled scream and released a jolt of lightning, shocking Junko. "Oh. I forgot. Bad idea." Junko wheezed before falling unconscious. The other Storm Hawks laughed, despite the plan going awry. "But come on, Stork, what could possibly sneak up on us in the middle of the night?" Lavender asked. "Cyclonians, acid storms, Ketarian Dragon Cats, clouds, ghosts, angry Pheneom Moths, vampires with glider wings or jetpacks, a mountain-" Stork started to explain, but stopped when he saw that the Condor was about to fly into a mountain! "A MOUNTAIN!"

He tried to steer around the mountain, but the Condor got scraped and started to make a crash landing on an unknown terra. Everyone held on tightly on the railing. But Finn fell near the windshield and Junko's unconscious body fell on top of him. "Huh?! What's going on?" Junko asked as he woke up. "We're about to make another crash landing, Junko!" Judy exclaimed. The Condor crash landed on the unknown terra.

The Storm Hawks exited the Condor and inspected the terra. "This is a very interesting terra." Amy Lu said. "But I don't see anyone here." Skyla said. "Stork, any damage?" Aerrow asked as Stork inspected the Condor's scrape. "I can't tell. Need more light." Stork said. Suddenly, a red light shined on the Storm Hawks. "That's better." As Stork inspected the scrape, the Storm Hawks shielded their eyes from the light. "Yeah, it looks like we're in pretty good shape." Stork said before turning around. "What?" He looked and saw what was making the light. "Oh." It was an army of men wearing togas, aiming Energy Arrows at the Storm Hawks.

"Wait! Stop! We come in peace!" Aerrow exclaimed, trying to reason with the army. "Fire!" The commander ordered. The army fired their arrows. Aria conjured a mana shield and blocked the arrows. "They're not listening!" Piper exclaimed. "They seem pretty strict about strangers." Starling said. The army fired more arrows. "Look out!" Finn exclaimed. He leapt out and fired a wave of light at the arrows, disintegrating them. "Nice shot, Finn." Aerrow said. The army charged towards them. But then, as they got close enough to see Finn's face, they suddenly stopped in their tracks. "It's…It's him!" One of the soldiers said in shock. "Uh, what's me? What have you heard?" Finn asked in confusion. Just then, much to the team's confusion, the army bowed to Finn. "First, they attack us, then they surrender to Finn?" Aerrow asked. "Anyone wanna explain this one to us? Finn?" Aria asked. "Sorry, Aria. I have no idea." Finn said.

Just then, an old man walked up to Finn and examined him. "Oh, wonders! The Prophecy has come true! The Great Domo!" He cheered. Finn was even more confused. "You must forgive us. Since you came from the sky, we mistook you for our enemies. Visitors are few on Vapos." The old man said. That name caught the Storm Hawks' attention. "Did he just say Vapos?" Finn asked. "As in the ancient terra of legend?" Sky asked. "But Vapos is a myth. It doesn't actually exist. Does it?" Piper asked. "Apparently, it looks that way." Skyla said. "I am King Agar. Welcome to Terra Vapos." The old man, revealed to be the king, welcomed.

The Storm Hawks were brought to the terra's city. "This can't be the same place in the old stories. They said that Vapos was paved in marble and gold." Piper said. Just then, the townspeople gathered around and were in awe at Finn's appearance. "Now it's just paved with creepy. Why are they hanging around me like this?" Finn asked, a bit creeped out. "No idea. They're staring at you like I stare at my dinner." Riggorix said. "You app-appear to be our g-g-grea-Great d-d-do-d-Domo, the legendary s-s-s-savior of Vapos." One of the townspeople said with a stutter. "Legendary? Tell us more." Finn said. "Long ago, the people of Vapos lived in peace and harmony, and our land was rich and pundit. Until the Great Quake. A chasm opened up and the dark ages began. Since then, we've been attacked from the depths. But then, our Great Domo appeared from the skies and drove our enemies back to the chasm with his power of light." King Agar explained. "But then the Great Domo chose to join his comrades in their fight against the Great Forces of Evil. Unfortunately, we never heard from him again. But we believe that the Great Domo would return to Vapos and usher a new age of prosperity." The Storm Hawks all looked at Finn. "The Great Domo must've been the Skylight Guardian of Light before Finn." Piper guessed. "Now they think that it's me." Finn said.

"The golden ring hangs on that distant branch." King Agar said, pointing up…in the wrong direction. The army leader gently moved his king to the proper way. At the top of a mountain, a golden ring was hanging from a branch of a dead tree. "The prophecy says that the Domo would retrieve the ring. Many have tried, all have failed." King Agar explained. "Figures. No way anybody can climb that." Aerrow said. "Who said anything about climbing." Finn said. He summoned his Light Bow, much to the townspeople's surprise, prepared a light arrow and took careful aim at the branch. He fired the arrow and struck the branch, making everyone gasp. As the ring fell, Finn held out his hand and caught it. "The Great Domo has returned." King Agar announced as the people cheered. "We're in trouble." Piper said, getting a bad feeling.

Later, the Storm Hawks were brought up to the castle. Finn was outfitted in the traditional robes of the Great Domo. "Finn, don't you think you're taking advantage of these people?" Aerrow asked. "Not even a little?" Aria asked. "I would never, guys. I just wanna respect their culture. And if their original Domo was a Skylight Guardian, we have to be sure." Finn said. "That's…actually a good point." Piper said. "That'll be all. You 2 may go." Finn said. The 2 townspeople who outfitted him nodded eagerly and left happily just before King Agar entered with 3 women carrying clothes. "Great Domo." He greeted. "Yes, your majesty?" Finn greeted back. "Is everything to your liking?" King Agar asked. "Yes. Everything is perfect." Finn said. "We have brought suitable clothes for your court." King Agar said.

The Storm Hawks dressed in the traditional robes of the townspeople. Stork was given a fool's cap and a lute. "Nice hat." Junko said. "I feel like I belong in a colosseum." Riggorix said with disgust. "Okay, this has gone too far. I'm putting a stop to this." Aerrow said. He started to walk up to Finn, but Aria, Starling and Piper stopped him. "No, don't, Aerrow." Aria said. "Their entire culture is based on this prophecy." Starling said. "Yes. We have to play along. At least for now." Piper said. "Stork, think you can sing a little song for us?" Finn asked. "Well, I do know one. But I wish for Lavender to sing it with me. We wrote it when we were children." Stork said. "We always sing it in perfect harmony. I would be more than happy to sing it with Stork again. With your permission, Great Domo." Lavender said. "You guys don't need my permission. Sing to your hearts' content." Finn said. Stork started playing the lute as he and Lavender started to sing.

[Friends With You from Hugtto Pretty Cure]

Stork: There is something I want to deliver to you, such as what I love about you

Tie our hearts together with a ribbon and let's become friends

Your smile (Lavender: Your smile) Your tears (Lavender: Your tears)

Lavender: Squeezes tightly in the back of my chest

Both: Right here, our hearts shine bright

You and I are a strange combination, the two of us are completely different

But if we hug our hearts, everything will be okay

Stork: Forever we'll be

Lavender: Forever we'll be

Both: Friends

Our hearts are tied together by a ribbon

As the Merbs ended their song, the Storm Hawks were brought to tears. "That was the most beautiful song I've ever heard." Finn said. "Well, we have been singing it for years." Lavender said. "And we still make a great duet." Stork said. Suddenly, the people outside were heard screaming. "What's going on out there?" Finn asked with worry. "The beasts! They return!" King Agar exclaimed with worry. The Storm Hawks looked at each other as they followed the king.

As the people continued screaming, the Storm Hawks exited the castle and saw the invading beasts heading their way. It was a large cauldron of bat beasts known as Verrocs.

The people ran for cover as the Verrocs flew into the city. "Verrocs? I haven't seen any of them since I was a cub." Riggorix said. "Finn, you're the Domo here. You take charge." Aerrow said. "Right. We need to get airborne and drive these beasts back to where they came from." Finn said. He took off his crown and gave it to one of the servants. "Don't worry, your Majesty. We got this." He said to King Agar before leading the Storm Hawks into the air on their skimmers. "He's fearless!" King Agar exclaimed in awe.

The Storm Hawks flew right towards the Verrocs. "Let's see what Suzy Lu's Blizzard Crystal can do." Finn said. He loaded the Blizzard Crystal into his Energy Crossbow, took aim at the Verrocs and fired Frost Bolts at them, freezing them and dropping them to the ground. "Nice move, Finn. Now let's heat them up, Phoenix style." Aria said. She equipped her staff with her Phoenix Crystal and prepared to turn up the heat. As a bunch of Verrocs got close enough, she created a fiery circle and fired it at them, burning them. Junko and Judy fired Energy Blasts from their skimmers, blasting several Verrocs down. Just then, one of the Verrocs recovered and tossed a brick at Aerrow. But Aerrow managed to dodge the brick. "Come on! Is that all you got?!" Finn exclaimed. "Try me on for size!" A voice exclaimed. Finn looked up and saw what appeared to be…a vampire girl. She had short black hair, large bat-wings and wore a black one-piece leather leotard. She was flying right towards him, ready to attack. "Come at me, vampire girl!" Finn exclaimed daringly. But suddenly, as they came withing reach of each other, Finn saw how beautiful this vampire girl was. She looked almost…human. And the vampire girl was entranced by Finn's handsomeness. Their eyes twinkled a shimmering magenta.

Meanwhile the Storm Hawks continued to battle the Verrocs. "Aim for the wings!" Piper called. Sky created a huge ball of water in the air. Skyler fired a fire beam at it and it started to boil. "Let's give them our little Boiling Blast, bro." Sky said. "Ready when you are." Skyler said. They turned the ball of boiling water into a huge stream blast, scalding several Verrocs. Starling flew her skimmer towards several more Verrocs. "Time for you beasties to see stars." She said. She held up her nunchaku and powered them with her starlight power. She leapt off her skimmer and spun like a tornado, striking every single Verroc with her nunchaku. Just then, the Verrocs started tearing up the city. "These little guys are tough." Junko said. "Oh, you think so?" Skyla asked. She motioned her hand and several stone pillars erupted out of the ground and pushed the Verrocs back into the air. Junko fired up his Knuckle Busters, coated them with his plasma and battered through every Verroc in his path. "But not that tough." He said. Amy Lu fired ice blasts from her hands, freezing several more Verrocs. Seeing that they were being outpowered, the Verrocs started retreating. Finn and the vampire girl were still staring at each other as the Verrocs passed by. Snapping out of her trance, the vampire girl followed the Verrocs. Finn watched her leave before turning around.

The crowd cheered as the Storm Hawks landed back on the ground. "You have saved us. Just as the prophecy foretold." King Agar said as he walked up to Finn. "Well, I couldn't have done it without my friends." Finn said. "As the prophecy commands, I declare a celebration in honor of the Great Domo!" King Agar announced. The crowd cheered as Finn walked back to his friends. "Something's not right. I think there might be more to this prophecy then they're leading me on about." He said. "I actually agree with Finn. Something's not right." Riggorix said. "Then there's only 1 thing to do. The girls and I are gonna do a little recon." Piper said. "Right. And the rest of us will investigate the city." Aerrow said. "I think I'll stay here. There's a lot going on in my head right now." Finn said. The Storm Hawks split up into 2 groups as they took off.

The girls flew towards the chasm where the Verrocs came from. "This is where those Verrocs came from." Piper said. "This is actually bigger than I imagined. And I've seen bigger chasms back home." Amy Lu said. Suddenly, the girls were almost pulled in by a massive downdraft. Mimi was almost pulled right off Aria's shoulder. The girls managed to pull themselves out of the downdraft just in time. "Whoa! That's a serious downdraft." Piper said. "I almost wished Aerrow was here. He probably could've helped with that." Starling said. "Uh, ladies? You might wanna see this." Judy said. The girls looked up and saw a mural of the Great Domo, who perfectly resembled Finn. "The Great Domo of Vapos. I don't believe it! The original Domo really was the Skylight Guardian of Light." Piper said in shock. The girls moved to the next mural of the Domo. He was using his golden ring to harness his powers of light. The next mural showed the Domo fighting against the Verrocs. "This mural is really dead on." Lavender said. "Hey, take a look at this one." Aria said. The next mural showed the Domo meeting and falling in love with a vampire woman. "The Domo fell in love with a vampire?" Starling asked. "I think I saw a similar vampire back during the fight. She and Finn couldn't take their eyes off each other." Mimi said. The girls put this to thought as they moved to the next mural. It showed the Domo flying into the chasm. "What happens after he goes into the pit?" Piper asked. The girls moved to the next mural and saw something that made them gasp in horror.

Meanwhile, Finn was sitting on his throne. He was still thinking about the vampire girl he met during the fight. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. "Finn!" Aerrow's voice called, snapping Finn out of his thoughts. "There's something you have to see." Aerrow said.

The boys brought Finn to a mill in the city. "Look inside." Aerrow said as he opened the mill's door. Finn looked around inside. It was empty. "There's nothing in here." He said. "Exactly. This should be filled with grain. Everything they had has been taken by the Verrocs." Aerrow explained. "And they're giving what little they have left to me because they think I'm the Domo." Finn realized. "And because of that, these people will starve." Aerrow said. Finn felt guilty that this was happening. "No. I can't let this happen. They still need their hero. And I'm gonna be their hero." He said, removing his crown.

Meanwhile, the people had just started the celebration. "Cancel the celebration this instant!" Finn exclaimed as he and the others walked in. "Finn, are you sure you want to do this?" Aerrow asked. "This is what we're meant to do." Finn said before turning to King Agar. "Your people need the food more than I do." "Only the true Domo would be so humble. But the prophecy is clear. You must feast before descending alone into the pit." King Agar said. "Skip the meal! I'm gonna stop these beasts once and for all!" Finn exclaimed. The crowd cheered as he walked out.

Outside, Finn prepared his skimmer for take-off. "Finn, we should do this together." Aerrow said. Finn brought him into a whispering distance. "I know you're right. I think there's something about the prophecy that leads me to not coming back at all. Once I take off, when the girls get back, follow me." Finn whispered. He revved up his skimmer and took off just as the girls returned. "Finn, wait!" Piper cried. But Finn was already too far ahead. "Aerrow, we have to stop him!" Aria cried. "I know. He already told us. He wants us to follow him." Aerrow said. "The Domo must fulfill the prophecy! We cannot allow you to interfere again!" King Agar exclaimed. "You're not in any position to stop us." Aerrow said. He took off his scarf, revealing the Heart of Atmos. "Skylight Unite!" He shouted. The Storm Hawks transformed into the Skylight Guardians, surprising King Agar and the people of Vapos by the transformation, and flew off after Finn.

As Finn was reaching the chasm, the Skylight Guardians were following him a few distance away. "So, what'd you girls find out?" Aerrow asked. "The Prophecy of the Domo. Finn's going down into the pit." Aria explained. "To destroy the Verrocs?" Riggorix asked. "I'm afraid not, Rigg. According to the prophecy, the Domo doesn't stop the Verrocs." Starling said. Finn, having arrived at the chasm, looked through the mural of the prophecy and discovered the Domo's fate. To be eaten by the Verroc King. "I knew there was something wrong. The people wanted to sacrifice me to the Verrocs' king." He said with worry. He looked down into the chasm. "I guess it's time to alternate this prophecy." He flew his skimmer into the downdraft and down into the chasm.

He flew deeper into the tunnel, avoiding giant roots and stone spikes along the way. Just then, the Verrocs started following him. "Okay, you wanna play? Let's play." He said. He readied his crossbow, turned around and started firing Frost Bolts at the Verrocs, freezing them. As the frozen Verrocs fell to the ground, Finn turned around and continued. As he reached a cave, he switched his skimmer to land-mode and skidded to a stop. "Those little ones were too easy. I don't like it. There has to be something more to the part where I get eaten." He said. Just then, something landed behind him. He looked up and saw a giant Verroc he assumed was the king. "And that's it."

Meanwhile, the Skylight Guardians had arrived outside the chasm. "This is it. And there's the mural." Piper said. The Skylight Guardians looked through each piece the mural. Just then, Aerrow discovered something after the part where the Domo gets eaten. "Wait. Look at this." He said. The next mural showed the vampire woman rescuing the Domo from the Verroc King. "The vampire girl we saw earlier. She must be about to rescue Finn from the Verrocs." Aria realized. "Oh. How'd we miss that part?" Mimi asked, embarrassed. "We need to be sure. So, we're going in." Aerrow said. The Skylight Guardians dived into the chasm.

Meanwhile, the Verroc King was chasing after Finn. "You're not gonna get me, you giant beast! Regardless of what the prophecy says!" Finn exclaimed. The Verroc King continued chasing him, trying to snatch and bite him. Just then, as Finn reaches a ramp, he rides it and changes his skimmer to flight-mode. But the Verroc King continued chasing him in the air. As it was about to snatch him, but he managed to brake and circle around it. "Last Frost Bolt. Let's make it count." He said. He took aim and fired the Frost Bolt at the Verroc King. But it wasn't enough. The Verroc King smashed the skimmer's left wings, causing Finn to abandon his ride. Just then, the Verroc King grabbed him and held him over its mouth. "STOP!" A voice exclaimed. Finn and the Verroc King turned to see the vampire girl flying towards them. She landed at the Verroc King's feet. "Let him go! Please! Release him!" She exclaimed. The Verroc King snorted at her pleas and opened its mouth widely to eat Finn. "Now, Rosa!" The vampire girl exclaimed. Just then, as the Verroc King was about to drop Finn down its mouth, another Verroc flew up and caught Finn. "Yes!" The vampire girl cheered. The Verroc landed and placed Finn on his feet. "Uh, thanks." Finn said. "Any time." The vampire girl said. "I'm Finn." He introduced. "I'm Twilight. That's Rosa." Twilight introduced. The Verroc, Rosa, greeted with a friendly smile. Finn and Twilight blushed at each other.

"Finn!" Aerrow's voice called. Finn turned as the Skylight Guardians flew into the cave. "Good timing, guys." He said. Piper looked at Twilight and Rosa. "You saved Finn. Just as the prophecy said." She said. "Yes. I'm Twilight, by the way." Twilight introduced. "Nice to meet you." Piper said. "Um, how about we save introductions until after we get out of here?" Aria asked, gesturing to the Verroc King, who was now extremely angry. "Yeah. We should go. But first thing's first." Aerrow said. He held out the Heart and transformed Finn into his Skylight Guardian form, surprising Twilight and Rosa. "Let's fly!" Finn exclaimed. The Skylight Guardians, Twilight and Rosa took off towards the exit. The Verroc King chased after them. "He's catching up!" Junko exclaimed. "That's not the worst part! Look!" Mimi exclaimed, pointing up ahead. The entire Verroc colony was coming right at them. "Don't these things ever quit?!" Judy exclaimed. The Skylight Guardians, Twilight and Rosa managed to evade the Verrocs, navigate the tunnels and arrive back at the chasm opening. But the Verrocs and their king were still following. "We have to seal the chasm!" Aerrow exclaimed. Finn looked at the mountain where the mural was carved. He summoned his Light Bow and took aim with a light arrow. His eyes started glowing white and the arrow suddenly became supercharged. He fired the arrow at the mountain and started a rockslide, sealing the chasm and trapping the Verrocs inside.

After changing back, when they returned to the castle, they walked right up to King Agar as the people were muttering to themselves in shock at Finn's return. Especially with Twilight and Rosa in tow. "The prophecy says that a new age of prosperity will begin only after the Domo is eaten." King Agar said. "Well, guess what, King, not everything goes as its prophesized. I was saved by this beautiful vampire girl and her Verroc friend. And I just permanently sealed the entire chasm. So, without those Verrocs stealing your food and wrecking your city, I guarantee good times ahead for your people. If you got a problem with that, then I'm all ears." Finn said. King Agar approached Finn and held out his hand. "Then, we are grateful for you and your friends, Finn. You are a most…unexpected Domo." He said. Finn shook his hand with gratitude. "Now, as the prophecy commands, we are to prepare the wedding immediately!" King Agar announced. "WEDDING?!" The Storm Hawks exclaimed in shock. "Yes. As the prophecy commands, you and the vampire girl are to be wed at once." King Agar explained. "Now, hold on a second! I can't marry her right now! We're way too young at the moment!" Finn exclaimed. "And…I think we should at least wait until we're older until we discuss marriage." Twilight smiled at that. "Let's get out of here, guys." Finn said. The crowd cheered for them as they leave. "But, Finn! The prophecy commands this wedding at once!" King Agar protested.

Later, as the people began repairing their city, the Storm Hawks leave Vapos on the Condor. Twilight, having decided to join the team, was now dressed in her own Storm Hawk uniform. "We're glad you've decided to join us, Twilight." Aerrow said. "Thank you, Aerrow. It's been quite some time since I've felt like part of a family. Rosa was the only friend I ever had when I was with the Verrocs." Twilight said. Rosa was playing with Fenix, Sid and Amy Lu's Leaper, Cottontail. "And there's something else I need to tell you guys. I know that you think I'm a vampire. But the truth is, I'm only half vampire. I'm a Dhampir." Twilight said. "Hey, that's okay with us. We're all made up of different species. And that's what makes us a team." Finn said. Twilight smiled at that.

As the Condor passed over the prophecy, it showed 2 other murals. One was of the Domo and his vampire queen getting married. The other was of them…expecting a child.

Wow! How was that? The Storm Hawks get lost and end up crashing on Terra Vapos, a place that was thought to be only a myth. The people began treating Finn like the hero of their ancient prophecy. But then it turned out that they were planning to sacrifice Finn to their Verroc enemy. But luckily, a Dhampir named Twilight and her Verroc friend rescued him before the prophecy could be fulfilled. After sealing the Verrocs in their chasm, Twilight and her Verroc join the team. But will the murals after Finn getting rescued come true in the future? Do the Verrocs have a chance for escape? Leave a review if you'd like.

Special thanks to my partner, FoxyKhai0209, for Twilight and Rosa.