Chapter 21: The Great Crater of Atmos
(Intro)
The Storm Hawks waited outside the Condor on Terra Thohle, waiting for Thunderay to return with some old friends. "What old friends do you think Thunderay mentioned about?" Junko asked. "Dunno, Junko. But we gotta wait until Grandpa comes back." Sky said with a shrug. Just then, they saw Thunderay coming towards them with some elder people. There were 4 humans, a Merb and a Wallop. The Storm Hawks grouped up as Thunderay and the elders stopped in front of them. "Thunderay, who are these elders?" Aerrow asked. "These are my old friends and former teammates of the Skylight Guardians from the 99th Generation. The survivors from the attack of our traitor, Anarchis." Thunderay introduced.
The former Skylight Guardians stepped up as Thunderay introduced each of them. "This is Fye, the former Skylight Guardian of Fire." Fye was a beautiful elder woman with long, shoulder-length, grey and red hair. "Cobbles, the former Skylight Guardian of Earth." Cobbles was a handsome elder man with short grey hair and a short grey goatee. "Medianne, the former Skylight Guardian of Mana." Medianne was an elder woman with grey hair with some pink highlights, tied in a ponytail. "Pebble, the former Skylight Guardian of Crystals." Pebble was a tanned elder woman with crystal earrings and neck-length black and white hair. "Deecey, the former Skylight Guardian of Lightning." Deecey was a male elder Merb with a grey beard and neck-length grey hair. "And Scruff, the former Skylight Guardian of Plasma." Scruff was a male elder Wallop with a long grey moustache with short grey hair tied in a little ponytail. The Storm Hawks were shocked to meet them. Especially Skyler, Skyla, Aria, Piper, Stork and Junko, meeting their predecessors.
"See, I called them and explained the situation with the Heart of Atmos. And they agreed to help by guiding you to the Great Crater of Atmos." Thunderay explained. "That's a good idea. We'll need all the help we can get, especially since you guys were the Skylight Guardians before us." Aerrow said. "It is truly an honor for us to help our successors." Fye said. Everyone boarded the Condor and prepared for takeoff. "Do not fret, my fellow Merb. I will help you find the way to the Great Crater of Atmos." Deecey said as he helped Stork at the helm. "I greatly appreciate this help from you, Mr. Deecey, sir." Stork said. "Please, call me Deecey." Deecey said. The Condor took off into the sky and headed off to the sacred place where the Heart of Atmos was found and the first beginning of the Skylight Guardians.
However, just as the Condor took off, the Cyclonian Fleet was secretly following the Storm Hawks from a far distance. "We're in pursuit of the Storm Hawks now, Master Cyclonis. They don't even notice us." The Talon at the helm said. "Excellent. Once the Storm Hawks lead us to the Great Crater of Atmos, as soon as the Heart of Atmos is recharged, we will take both it and the Crater, and then all of Atmos will be mine." Master Cyclonis said with an evil smile. Just then, Dark Ace and the other generals approached their leader. "Master Cyclonis, everything is prepared for the invasion." He said. "Good. Then everything is going as planned." Master Cyclonis said.
Meanwhile, the Condor had been flying through the sky for hours just as night fell. Finn sighed as he was getting bored. "Are we there yet?" He asked. "We're getting closer to the Crater, Finn. Just a few more hours." Fye said. "Okay then. Wake me when we get there." Finn said as he rested his head against Fenix to take a nap. While waiting to pass the hours, Aria decided to ask Thunderay with something. "Thunderay, when we get to the Great Crater of Atmos, how will the Heart be restored?" She asked. "Ah. The Heart of Atmos must bathe under the light of a Lunar Eclipse for its full power to be restored." Thunderay explained. "And we're in luck! Because there's gonna be a Lunar Eclipse tonight around midnight." Cobbles said. "Why at midnight?" Piper asked. "Because there's going to be a cosmic event happening at the same time during the Lunar Eclipse. When both the Lunar Eclipse and the cosmic event are in the same line, they release a cosmic ray. The cosmic ray is the only thing that can restore all of the Heart's powers as the cosmic ray is connected to a very powerful entity that created the Heart since billions of years before it crash-landed on Atmos." Pebble explained. The Storm Hawks were amazed to hear that. They never knew that the Heart had existed for billions of years. "Wait. What about this entity? You said that this entity was the Heart's creator." Sky said. "Yes. This entity was the creator of our entire universe since the very beginning. This entity was titled as 'The Lord of All Creation.' And that was the reason Anarchis betrayed us. She wanted the Heart for herself due to its connection with that entity as they possess vast powers." Medianne explained. "Wow. Talk about becoming so greedy for vast powers. No wonder Cyclonis wants the Heart so badly." Piper said. "Yes. Master Cyclonis won't give up so easily until she has the Heart in her hands and uses it to take over, not just Atmos, but the entire universe as well. And maybe, even…beyond." Pebble said. The Storm Hawks were horrified as they never knew that. "That settles it. We swear that we'll protect the Heart of Atmos no matter what and never let Master Cyclonis get it." Aerrow said with determination. "I'm with Aerrow. We won't let the Cyclonians have the Heart in their hands." Aria agreed. The other Storm Hawks agreed with their leaders. Even Finn, who was actually listening while sleeping, gave a thumb's up. The old Skylight Guardians smiled when they heard the team's determination to protect the Heart.
"Attention, Storm Hawks, we have arrived at the Great Crater of Atmos." Deecey announced over the P.A. Everyone gathered at the windows and see a very large crater filled with clouds. The Storm Hawks were in awe to see the Great Crater of Atmos for the first time. "Whoa…that's the Great Crater of Atmos? It's bigger than I thought." Amy Lu said. Scruff chuckled at that. "I said the same thing when our old team first came here in our youth." He said. "Um, how exactly are we going to go into the Crater?" Twilight asked. "Stork, dive the Condor into the Crater." Thunderay said. Stork hesitated at first. "But what if the Condor hits the ground while diving in?" He asked with a hint of worry in his tone. "It will not. Trust me." Thunderay said. So, Stork had no other choice and steers the Condor to dive towards the Crater. "Here we go everyone!" Thunderay called as the Condor dove through the clouds.
As the Condor continued to dive through the clouds, everyone looked out the windows, trying to see through the clouds, but couldn't. But then, a few minutes later, the Condor finally passed through the clouds. Once they were in the clear, everyone saw the beauty of the Crater. There were several waterfalls falling down from edges. Crystals were grown everywhere, in many different shapes, sizes and forms. The Storm Hawks were in awe to see the beauty of the Crater. "Alright, that's enough awe. We need to get to the temple." Fye said, snapping them out of it. "I'll help Stork locate it." Deecey said as he helped Stork locate the temple. Unfortunately, they were unaware that the Cyclonians managed to pass through the clouds and continued following them.
The Condor arrived at the location of the temple and landed outside of it. As everyone exited the ship, they stared up at the temple. "What is this temple?" Aria asked. "This is the Temple of Skylight. It is where the first generation of Skylight Guardians began since 2,500 years ago." Medianne said. The Storm Hawks stared up at the temple in awe. "Come. We must go inside. The Lunar Eclipse will come soon." Thunderay said, snapping them out of it. With that said, everyone walked towards the temple and went inside. However, they were not aware that the Dark Ace and Joker were spying on them from afar. "The Storm Hawks are on the move, Master Cyclonis." Dark Ace said through his com-link. "Excellent work, Dark Ace. Get ready for our surprise ambush." Master Cyclonis said.
Meanwhile, the Storm Hawks followed the old Skylight Guardians through the hallway. They then enter through an opening at the end of the hallway and revealed a large chamber where a very tall obelisk column with spiral stairs stood in the center of the chamber. There was an opening in the chamber's roof that views the night sky with a full moon. "What is this place?" Aerrow asked. "This chamber is called the Chamber of Primordial. This is where the Heart rested." Fye revealed. "The Heart must be placed on the top of the obelisk. But we need to hurry. The Lunar Eclipse will begin in 10 minutes." Thunderay said, pointing to the top of the obelisk. The Storm Hawks looked up at the moon and saw that it was being covered by another planet, thus, starting the eclipse. "I'll be the one to take the Heart to the top." Aerrow said as he's about to make his way to the obelisk. "Oh, I don't think we would let you." A familiar voice said from the chamber hallway. The Storm Hawks and the old Skylight Guardians turned toward the voice and saw who is it…Master Cyclonis! "No! It can't be!" Aria exclaimed in shock. Dark Ace and a cackling Joker walked in as they were followed by Ravess, Snipe, Ratharr, Repton, Isis, Lilias, Argo, and an entire army of Talons and Raptors. "How did you even find your way to the Crater?!" Piper asked. "It's simple, Piper. We've been following you the entire time. And now, the Great Crater of Atmos belongs to the Cyclonians." Master Cyclonis said with an evil smile.
Aerrow walked up and drew his Twin Blades. "You will not take this Crater or the Heart of Atmos, Cyclonis." He said. The Storm Hawks got ready to fight. "So be it. My army could use a little…entertainment." Master Cyclonis said mockingly. "Kill them." The Cyclonians and Raptors charged with a shout. The Storm Hawks all started fighting, knocking down every Cyclonian and Raptor with ease. Snipe, Ratharr and Lilias approached the old Skylight Guardians with wicked smirks. "You 3 should surrender if you know what's good for you." Thunderay warned. Lilias laughed at that. "And what can 7 old geezers do to stop us?" Snipe asked mockingly. Thunderay looked to his former comrades and they nodded to each other. He stepped forth and started motioning his arms. "What is he doing? Trying to dance us to death?" Ratharr asked mockingly. Suddenly, Thunderay fired a jet of water from his hands and sprayed Ratharr, sending him flying backwards. Everyone was shocked as they notice this. Fye motioned her hands and created fans of fire in her hands. Cobbles pounded his fists and they got covered in rocks. Medianne motioned her hands and they became fueled with mana. Pebble motioned her hands and several crystals formed around her. Deecey rubbed his hands together and his body built up with electricity. And Scuff motioned his hands and 2 spheres of plasma energy formed in them. Snipe and Lilias were shocked by this. "We might no longer be Skylight Guardians, but we still got our moves." Thunderay said.
Snipe shouted as he prepared to swing his Mace. But Scuff coated his fist with his plasma and punched Snipe hard in the face, sending him tumbling back down to the fight. "Okay. Well, I think I'm just gonna-" Lilias started to say as she started to turn around. Pebble fired an explosive crystal at her, sending her flying. "Never turn your back on your elders." She said. "Well then, shall we join the fight then?" Cobbles asked. "Oh yes." Fye said. "Let's go." Thunderay said. The old Skylight Guardians ran towards the fight as it continued. Skyla spun her Energy Rod, striking each Talon she fought in the head. Starling kicked a Raptor in the head as she blocked incoming blasts with her Nunchaku. Radarr leapt onto a Talon's face and punched him hard. Before he leapt for the next Talon, Aria swung her Energy Staff and knocked the Talon out. Just then, she blocked an Energy Card that was tossed at her. "Aw, you always make me miss, little Aria." Joker fake-moped as he drew his Blade. Aria just glared as she charged towards him. Stork grabbed an Energy Staff and knocked down a Talon with it. As another Talon charged towards him, he tossed the staff at him, distracting him, and kicked him in the head. "You!" Repton's voice exclaimed. Stork turned to see him coming towards him. "No fancy lightning powers to save you this time." Repton said as he raised his Energy Boomerang. Suddenly, an electric blast hit him and shocked him, knocking him out. Stork looked over and saw Deecey with a smile. "He may not have his powers, but I do." Deecey said.
Skyler kicked down a Raptor as he defended himself with his Energy Glaive. As he knocked down 2 Talons, Isis nearly struck him with her Leaf Blades. "I've waited a long time for this, Stormheart." She said venomously. "Well, come on then. Let's have at it." Skyler said. Isis swung her Leaf Blades as Skyler blocked each hit with his Glaive. Lavender shot every Talon and Raptor in her way with her Energy Blasters. Just then, a blast was shot past her head. She turned to see Argo aiming his blaster at her. "You're quite an excellent shot, Merb. Wanna take one at me?" He dared. "Just try to keep up." Lavender said. They both started firing at each other, but neither hit each other. Thunderay moved gracefully for an old man, using his water powers to strike the incoming Talons and freeze them in their place. Junko knocked down several Raptors with his Knuckle Busters. Suddenly, Snipe recovered and prepared to strike him from behind. But then, his attack was blocked by a rock wall. Snipe and Junko turned to see Cobbles with his hand held up. "Now let this be a lesson to you, young man." He said, motioning his hand. The rock wall morphed into a big rock fist and punched a shocked Snipe hard.
Riggorix slashed each Talon he fought against to the side with his Energy Scythes. "Brother!" Ratharr roared as he tried to slash Riggorix with his Energy Sword. But Riggorix dodged the attack and glared at his traitorous brother. They snarled at each other as they started to fight. Skyler continued to fight against Lady Isis. Suddenly, one of Isis' Leaf Blades struck Skyler in the back. He staggered in pain for a bit. "Poor little Skyler Stormheart. You lose the fire in your heart?" Isis asked mockingly as she prepared to finish him off. Just then, a fire fan spun towards the Plantar and sliced the chains. Isis turned around and stared in shock as the fire fan spun back to Fye as she caught it. "He may have lost his fire, but not me." Fye said. Isis shouted angrily as she charged for the former Skylight Guardian of Fire. But Fye motioned her hands and created a typhoon of fire, blowing Isis into a wall.
As both sides continued fighting, after Aerrow slashed down another Talon, he looked up at the chamber's roof view and sees that the moon is almost darkened as the Lunar Eclipse is about to shine. There was no time to waste. "Twilight!" Aerrow called, getting Twilight's attention after she slammed down a Raptor. He tossed her the Heart of Atmos. "Get the Heart to the obelisk's top platform before the eclipse shines!" He ordered. As she nodded, she sprouted her wings and flew towards the top as fast as she could. But she failed to notice that someone was following her. She made it to the top of the obelisk and landed on it. There stood an altar before her. She walked up to it and stared at it for a moment. She looked at the Heart in her hand, then back at the altar. "I guess the Heart's supposed to go here." She said. She placed the Heart on the altar just as the Lunar Eclipse began. Its light shined down on the altar where the Heart was placed. Twilight took a few steps back as she watched. As the light bathed the altar, the Heart began to glow in midnight blue, showing that its power was beginning to recharge.
Just then, as Twilight watched in awe, her ears twitched as she heard someone coming from behind. She quickly turned around, saw an incoming energy blast and dodged it quickly. She looked over to see who fired the blast was none other than Master Cyclonis herself. "Master Cyclonis. Why are you here?" She asked in shock. "I'm here for the Heart." Master Cyclonis said. "I can't allow you to take it while it's recharging." Twilight said, glaring at her. "You wouldn't dare challenge me. I'm the most powerful being in the entire Atmos. You're nothing, but a pathetic, useless Dhampir girl." Master Cyclonis said mockingly. However, Twilight didn't react to her insult. Instead, she brought out an Energy Rapier, equipped with a blood red crystal. Master Cyclonis was surprised to see that crystal as she knew what kind it was. A Fury Crystal, one of the rarest crystals in all of Atmos. Twilight activated her Rapier as its blade is coated with a blood red aura. She gave an angry shout as she charged towards Master Cyclonis, preparing to stab her. But Master Cyclonis blocked the attack with her Crystal Staff. "You have quite the crystal there, Dhampir. Where'd you get it?" She asked. "Humph! Like I would ever tell you where I got it, witch!" Twilight exclaimed. As Master Cyclonis sneered at that response, both girls started to clash at each other with their weapons. During this, the Heart continued recharging as the Lunar Eclipse remained active, keeping its light shined on it.
Meanwhile, down below, the Storm Hawks and the old Skylight Guardians continued fighting the Cyclonians and Raptors, keeping them at bay and preventing them from going after the Heart. But then, as Piper swept Leugey's legs, she noticed that Master Cyclonis wasn't there among the fight. "Where's Cyclonis?" She asked. She looked up at the top of the obelisk and saw Master Cyclonis fighting Twilight. She gasped at the sight, knowing that Twilight won't last long against Master Cyclonis. "Aerrow! Aria! Twilight needs help!" She shouted. Aerrow and Aria, having come into combat with the Dark Ace and Joker, heard Piper's shout. "We're on it, Piper!" Aerrow exclaimed. "Coming through!" Aria exclaimed. They pushed past the 2 Cyclonian generals and made their way up the spiral staircase.
Meanwhile, Twilight continued fighting Master Cyclonis, trying her best in protecting the Heart. But then, Master Cyclonis knocked Twilight's feet off with her Crystal Staff, causing her to drop her Rapier. Twilight tried to reach for it, but Master Cyclonis stepped in her way and pointed her Crystal Staff directly at her face. "I have to admit, you've fought well against me. But you still lost." Master Cyclonis said. But before she could finish Twilight off, a bright light suddenly shined from the altar. The 2 girls looked over and saw that the Heart was fully restored with all its powers as the Lunar Eclipse ended.
Down below, everyone stopped fighting as they noticed the light from the top platform on the obelisk. Aerrow and Aria were halfway up the stairs when they stopped and saw the light too. "That light." Aria said. "It must be." Aerrow said. Back at the top, the Heart of Atmos levitated itself from the altar and unleashed a powerful flash of light. The light spread through the entire chamber, causing everyone in it to shield their eyes from the brightness. "SKYLIGHT UNITE!" A mysterious voice called through the air. As the light died down, the Cyclonians and Raptors un-shielded their eyes and looked over, but much to their shock, they saw that the Storm Hawks have were in their Skylight Guardian forms. Even the Storm Hawks were shocked too as they didn't expect to transform into their Skylight forms. "How did we change into our Skylight forms?" Finn asked. "I don't know. But I feel my power coming back." Skyler said. "Mine too! Whoo-hoo!" Amy Lu whooped. Just then, they remembered that the Cyclonians and Raptors were still there. "Skylight Guardians, now that we got our powers back, what say we use them?" Piper asked, creating a crystal in her hand. The Skylight Guardians prepared their powers as they charged towards the Cyclonians and Raptors.
Meanwhile, back on top of the obelisk, the Heart of Atmos, still emitting a midnight blue glow, was still levitating from the altar. "What is happening?!" Master Cyclonis exclaimed as she un-shielded her eyes. Just then, she nearly got struck by a shadowy blade in surprise. She looked and saw Twilight as a beautiful adult woman with larger bat wings. She had become a new Skylight Guardian. "What's the matter, Cyclonis? Afraid of the dark?" Twilight asked mockingly. Before Master Cyclonis could do anything, Twilight fired a shadow ball from her hands and knocked her off the platform. Dark Ace saw his master falling and quickly ran to her aid, catching her. "Are you alright, Master Cyclonis?" He asked. "No. I am not." Master Cyclonis said with venom in her voice.
Twilight panted a bit with a sigh of relief just as Aerrow and Aria made it to the top of the platform, using their flight abilities. They were surprised to see their Dhampir friend in her Skylight Guardian form. "Twilight, where's Master Cyclonis?" Aria asked. "I managed to knock her off the platform." Twilight said. The trio looked over to the altar to see the Heart levitating above it before it started floating its way toward Aerrow. Aerrow held out his right hand for the Heart and it gently landed on it. He smiled at the Heart, happy to see that it was restored with all its powers back. But then, he noticed a difference on the Heart. "What happened to the Heart?" He asked. It was now midnight blue instead of black, and the inside of the crystal now had nebula clouds surrounding the Milky Way.
Just then, the sound of fighting snapped Aerrow out of his thoughts. He, Aria and Twilight looked down and saw their friends beating up the Cyclonians and Raptors with their powers. Dark Ace helped Master Cyclonis to her feet. "Master, what happened up there on the platform?" Dark Ace asked. "The Dhampir became a new Skylight Guardian and defeated me!" Master Cyclonis exclaimed furiously as she watched her minions get beaten up by the Skylight Guardians, both old and new. Back at the top of the obelisk, the trio continued to watch the fight. "We need to get the Cyclonians and Raptors out of the Crater." Aria said. Aerrow started to think of a way to get the Cyclonians out of the Crater. He looks at the Heart of Atmos and gets an idea. He held out the Heart and then it started to glow brightly in midnight blue. All of a sudden, as the Skylight Guardians, old and new, continued fighting the Cyclonians and Raptors, they began to disappear one by one, much to their surprise. Master Cyclonis and Dark Ace watched as their generals and minions disappear, much to their shock. Before they could do anything, they disappeared too. After the last of the Cyclonians and Raptors disappeared, Aerrow, Aria and Twilight flew down to join their friends as they gathered. Everyone was surprised to see Twilight in her Skylight Guardian form while Finn's face was red, seeing how beautiful she is now. "What happened up there?" Piper asked, to which Twilight explained everything.
"Twilight has become the new Skylight Guardian of Shadows." Thunderay said. "Though I hope that you will not betray the team like ours did." Fye said with a hint of worry. "I would never do such a thing. I care about my friends too much. And I would rather die than betray them like my traitorous predecessor." Twilight said. That made the old Skylight Guardians smile, knowing that Twilight will be honest and caring towards her team than their former friend. "But what happened when the Cyclonians all suddenly disappeared while we were fighting them?" Skyla asked. "I made them teleport away from the Crater so they couldn't do anymore damage in the chamber." Aerrow explained. "What about the Heart, Aerrow?" Skyler asked. Aerrow showed the Heart. The Storm Hawks and old Skylight Guardians were happy to see that the Heart was fully restored. "Uh, it looks different than it did before." Piper said, noticing the difference in the Heart's appearance. "I know. But I don't know what caused the Heart to change while it was recharging." Aerrow said. "Perhaps I can answer that for you." The same mysterious voice from before said through the air. "The Heart of Atmos is no longer the Heart of Atmos. It is in its true form, the Atomic Crystal. True evil is coming soon…evil much more dangerous than the Cyclonians, and you have to be ready for it. Good luck, brave heroes." And with that, the voice disappeared.
There was a moment of silence. "Okay, what was that voice?" Finn asked, breaking the silence. "That voice belonged to the Lord of All Creation." Thunderay said. "The Lord of All Creation said that a true evil was coming soon. I wonder what this true evil is. Especially if it's more dangerous than the Cyclonians." Fye said. "We'll worry about that later. We need to focus our troubles on the Cyclonians first." Medianne said. With that, everyone leaves the Chamber of Primordial. But Aerrow stayed behind for a bit. He looks at the new Atomic Crystal and sensed a very powerful energy emitted from it, knowing that it's very important to him and his team. "Aerrow! It's time to go!" Aria called, snapping him back. Aerrow put the Atomic Crystal around his neck and catches up with the others as they leave the Great Crater of Atmos.
Meanwhile, Master Cyclonis slowly regained consciousness after being teleported away by Aerrow. She sat up and looked around, seeing her Cyclonian army and the Raptors recover. She then saw that Aerrow teleported them all to a desert terra, far away from the Great Crater of Atmos. She gave a loud frustrated shout, echoing through the air.
Wasn't that amazing?! The Storm Hawks, joined by Thunderay and his old teammates, journey to the Great Crater of Atmos and proceed to restore the Heart of Atmos to its full power. But Master Cyclonis and her entire army followed them, determined to take the Crater and the Heart. But the Storm Hawks and old Skylight Guardians managed to fight them off until the Heart returned to full power. As it did, the Storm Hawks became the Skylight Guardians once again and made the Cyclonians disappear. But what was that mysterious voice in the air? What's the purpose of the Heart of Atmos, now called the Atomic Crystal? What dangers will Aerrow and his team need to prepare for? Leave a review if you'd like.