The wind ripped though his hair as he sped over the clouds above an early morning Terra Gale. He was high enough to see all the way to the horizon, while also being well out of range of the old Sky Knight with the catapult. The same catapult which laid in ruins after another attack against the old man. This time the Storm Hawks weren't present which put Dark Ace on alert. Aerrow wouldn't just leave knowing I'm here. He's planning something. Dark Ace mused to himself. His eyes sweeping across the horizon in front of him in search of The Condor. Nothing. His first encounter with the Storm Hawks had left him speechless upon seeing the restored carrier. It somehow survived plummeting into the wasteland a decade ago and was now run by children.
"Where are you Aerrow?" He grumbled. "What are you planning?"
Ever since Aerrow had destroyed the Aurora Stone, Master Cyclonis had stationed him here in gale as punishment. Since then, Dark Ace had heard of death defying tales of the new Storm Hawks trickle in from unshielded radio broadcasts and word of mouth from new rotations of staff. I could have dealt with them months ago if Master Cyclonis hadn't sent me to this backwater territory. He had underestimated Aerrow the first time, not this time. Maybe, just maybe after he wiped those fake Storm Hawks off the face of Atmos, Master Cyclonis would forget the whole Aurora Stone thing.
"I should have broken the boy's arm." Dark Ace chided himself for being too soft on the one named Jack.
Still he had never seen any info about Jack being on the farm before he had kidnapped the old Sky Knights granddaughter. Something about Jack rubbed Dark Ace as suspicious. The boy's terrible lying had only intensified Dark Ace's suspicions about him. He has to be working for the Storm Hawks. Dark Ace mused, unable to think of any other explanation for how Jack ended up in Gale without anyone noticing. Looking over the territory ahead, Dark Ace made a mental note to extract that info from Jack as soon as he returned back to the smelting plant.
The air shook around him as a loud explosion sounded far in the distance. Sharply looking towards the sound, Dark Ace gasped in shock upon seeing smoke billowing from the smelting plant. Somewhere in his heart, he knew Jack and the Storm Hawks had been behind that explosion.
His grip on the controls tightened as his blood began to boil. "I'm going to kill that kid!" he shouted, banking his switchblade and sharply turning towards the plant and opening the throttle all the way.
The switchblade's engines roared as he tore through the air towards the plant. Dark Ace grinning wildly as he thought of all the bones he planned to break if Jack was involved with the explosion.
The whole facility shook from under Jack's feet as he raced up the long hallway. The muted explosion echoing throughout the building, engulfing the blaring klaxons signaling a prison break. Clinging to his arm was Dove, having chosen to leave with the Storm Hawks on their skimmers. Gale's own Sky Knights had chosen to remain and give the Cyclonians some much needed payback. The current objective was simple; Get the Condor and land it so the prisoners can board.
"So you guys do this kinda thing often?" Jack asked, unable to repress his grin.
Junko nodded. "Comes with the job of being a Sky Knight. You should have seen the time we broke into Cyclonia! Now that was a mess!" Laughed the wallop.
Finn sighed deeply at the mention of Cylonia. "Don't remind us. At least we weren't the ones that destroyed the Aurora Stone." Finn shot a glare towards Aerrow who shot one back.
"It was either that or Cyclonis. There's no telling what she could have done with it!" Aerrow retorted, sick of hearing about it.
God I wish I knew what these people were talking about. Would make this a lot less awkward for me. Jack sighed as they all rushed onto the landing area. Already, the prisoners had overtaken it. That sure makes things a lot easier. Jack thought while the others rushed to grab their skimmers.
"Air Finn, at your service!" Said Finn, gesturing to his skimmer he had pulled out along with the others.
Jack smirked as Dove let go of him. "Why thank you! You really know how to make a guy feel special!" Jack cheerily said, unable to hold back his snickering while mounting the rear of the bike. Finn's face turned red as the other Storm Hawks, including Dove, also snickered in amusement.
"This is payback for the clothes thing, isn't it?" Finn mounted the bike, slightly turning to look at Jack who only grinned at him. "You're cruel." Finn muttered before turning to face the controls.
As they all accelerated away from the Smelting Plant. Jack couldn't help but watch as the now smoking complex shrunk further and further into the distance as the wind blew in his face. Is it finally over? Jack wondered to himself, wanting nothing more than to fall face first into a bed. It took all of his remaining strength and willpower just to hang onto Finn. Hopefully I never have to see Dark Ace again. Jack thought, looking over to Aerrow on their left.
"I told ya it'd be easy!" Finn shouted, cutting to the wind and engine noise like a razor blade. Jack frowned at Finn. "We didn't even run into… Dark Ace…" Finn trailed off in shock.
"What?" Jack looked past Finn, seeing a lone switchblade coming at them.
His eyes widened in horror upon seeing the Cyclonian fighter bearing down upon them. Dark Ace! Jack gasped. The Cyclonian knight rushed though the middle of them, sharply pulling up and giving chase.
Aerrow cursed to himself as he tracked Dark Ace. "Piper, get Stork! Finn and Junko you're with me!" He ordered, sharply peeling off to meet Dark Ace head on.
Jack watched as Aerrow and Raddar rushed to meet the Cyclonian. Junko sharply looped around, tearing after Aerrow.
"Hang tight Jack! We are going in hot!" Finn told him, flipping a switch. Two small panels retracted on the front of the and out folded the bikes built in weapon, a crossbow identical the one Jack had seen carrying around on Wren's farm.
"I hope your aim is as good as you say." Jack gulped.
Finn laughed cockily. "You'll see. From the best seat in the house!" Jack quickly held on tight as Finn kicked the skimmer into a loop, sending Jack's stomach and heart flying into his feet. Holy shit! Jack cursed as they leveled out and rocketed into the fray. Jack tightened his grip until his hands turned snow white.
The engines roared as he saw Aerrow holding a glowing blue blade in his right hand as he lined himself up for the kill. Dark Ace pulled his sword off his back, the blade igniting into a blood red blaze. It's a less cool but more terrifying Lightsaber. Jack thought, wishing not to be a target of Dark Ace's blade. Doubt boiled as clashed blades, before sharply turning back for another go.
Junko raced after the switchblade, bumping both fists together before flashing bright green. The wallop maneuvered underneath the Cylonian craft, cocking back one of his fists for a swing. The switchblade suddenly inverted, its pilot blocking the swing with his blade. Junko seemed to reel back before pushing his skimmer into a dive away from Dark Ace who dove after the wallop.
Finn matched his course, lining up the switchblade's front section in his crosshairs. His finger hovered over the trigger as he cut through the air, racing closer and closer towards the cloud layer over the wasteland. "Almost got it. I just need him to level out." Finn muttered to himself, unheard by Jack. Without warning, the switchblade's engines went dead and flaps extended cutting airspeed dramatically. Finn streaked from under Dark Ace, expecting to be cut in half only to hear Jack scream as his arms lost their grip.
"OH SCRAP!" Jack cursed, loudly. Finn looked back and gasped.
"Jack!" he shouted, seeing the boy tumble towards the clouds.
Aerrow had also seen Dark Ace tearing Jack off of Finn's skimmer and dropping him like a piece of trash. Raddar let out a surprised squeak before Aerrow inverted his skimmer and sharply dove after the falling teen.
"Hang on and get ready to grab him! Aerrow warned his buddy before opening the throttle all the way, sending them both racing towards the cloud layer above the wasteland.
The altimeter rolled quickly as the wind tore at them and the wings vibrated as they descended at blistering speeds. He had never dove for the wasteland like this since the team's training exercise before the counselor had rejected him because of his age. His grip on the controls tightened in remembrance as he and Raddar closed in on Jack, slowly inching underneath him. Jack quickly extended himself into a starfish shape, slowly himself as they fell. The Sky Knight extended a hand towards Jack who immediately grabbed it as tight as boa constrictor, ensnaring its prey. Aerrow pulled, Raddar guiding Jack behind the redhead.
Jack wrapped arms tight around Aerrow's chest, his heart pounding in his chest as he muttered a long string of "thank you's". Aerrow yanked back on the controls as hard as he could.
"Don't thank me yet!" The skimmer pulled, clipping the cloud layer for a dozen feet before gaining altitude. Never had Jack ever thought he'd be happy to be off the ground.
"If my mother saw that, she wouldn't let me leave the house for a year!" Jack exclaimed, shaking nervously as he fought to get a grip on his breathing.
Aerrow chuckled amusingly at the thought. Also wishing his own mother was still alive. "When we see her, I'll keep my trap shut." Aerrow said, earning a frown which Raddar noticed.
Luckily for Jack, the small creature's inability to speak saved him the headache of trying to explain it all. You'll learn later. Thought Jack as Aerrow swung the skimmer around for another go at Dark Ace. The bike rattled from underneath them as they entered a head on duel with the Cyclonian ace. Jack tightened his grip around Aerrow who glared venomously at they're opponent.
"Let's see what you've got, boy!" Dark Ace crackled, pulling his blade out and gunning it towards the trio.
The thought of the condor spiraling in a death roll towards the wasteland played in his mind's eye, exactly as it happened all those years ago. I'll be back on top when I take your heads to Master Cyclonis! He thought with a wicked grin. He squeezed down the trigger and blade erupted into a blaze of brilliant red fury. Cocking his blade back, Dark Ace swung at the rapidly approaching Storm Hawk. The skimmer suddenly went inverted, Aerrow clashing blades with him before rocketing away behind him.
Dark Ace grimaced. "I see you've used your time well, Aerrow." He said to himself, pushing his switchblade into a sharp turn.
Aerrow noticed and immediately entered a loop, aiming straight for the Cyclonian. "By any chance you've got a parachute." Jack asked, nervously. Raddar tapped Jack's arm and shook his head once the teen was looking at him. "Thanks, I guess." Added Jack with a painful sigh.
The Sky Knight quickly glanced at Jack in his rear view, noting how often he kept looking down. Definitely hasn't flown a day in his life. He concluded before returning his attention towards Dark Ace. As they rushed towards the switchblade, a loud horn suddenly cut through the air over the sounds of the engine. Aerrow grinned in recognition of the sound as Jack looked towards a thick layer of clouds over a group of small terra.
The large mass of the Condor emerged from the clouds, unleashing cannon volleys of what looked like Autobot laserfire to Jack's eyes. The air exploded violently around Dark Ace, forcing him to enter a dive and gun his engines. Jack could have sworn he heard a curse but chalked it up to his imagination. The laserfire didn't let up, tracking Dark Ace until he was well out of range from the battle. The cannon's died, the air becoming much quieter in an instant.
"Oh thank Primus!" Jack let out in a wave of relief. Raddar nodding in agreement with Jack's statement.
"Send him my thanks," Aerrow also sighed with relief. "Going in for landing." Jack could hear the tiredness in Aerrow's voice. He had also heard it from Optmius after exceptionally strenuous missions.
The hangar was soon packed with former prisoners as the Condor lifted off from the factory's landing platform. The large space was filled like a pack of sardines to Jack's eye who stood at the far back of the hanger. I can't believe we actually pulled it off! Jack thought as a small smile crept onto his face. Dove noticed the pride Jack was exuding and gently tugged his sleeve for attention.
"Yes?" Jack asked, noticing the worry in the girl's eyes.
"I don't think it's a good idea for you to come back with me," Began Dove. "Dark Ace, we'll have our heads if he sees you again!" Jack had been thinking the exact same thing. As much as he wanted to help them… He'd only be putting them in more danger by staying.
One again his life had undergone another transformation. "Yeah. You're right. I'll see if Aerrow's willing to let me hitch a ride" Jack said hopefully. Where do I even go? I've got nothing to my name and nobody to help me! Jack thought with dismay. Still, he couldn't stick around in Gale. He was planning on telling Wren that as soon as they were done dropping off the others.
"I'm sorry, Jack. I really wish there was something we could have done to help" Dove's apology echoed in his mind as he quickly thought up a response.
"I dunno. Not throwing me into the wasteland sure helped." Jack smiled, earning a chuckle from Dove. I'm gonna miss her. Jack sadly thought, trying his hardest not to let it show.
Dove did notice, taking his hand in an effort to put him at ease. "I hope you find what you're looking for."
After all the others were returned home, the Condor quickly entered an orbit around Wren's little farm. Jack sighed deeply as he, Dove, Aerrow and Piper touched down on the grass not too far from the house. As soon as they had touched down, the door flew wide open and out came Wren. He looked over the group with a downcast gaze before focusing on his granddaughter. His eyes widened and the short statured man quickly ran over to her, embracing her in a tight hug.
"Oh thank the heavens!" Exclaimed the old Sky Knight. Jack felt a smile take shape as he stepped over.
"Thank them," He jutted his thumb to the two Storm Hawks, both smiling at the sight. "We'd all be screwed if not for timely arrival." Wren nodded in agreement as he pulled himself off Dove and stepped over to the Sky Knights.
He then snapped both of his feet together and raised his hand to his forehead in salute. Both Aerrow and Piper returned the gesture. Jack's smile then faded. This is gonna be painful. Jack thought, not wanting to hurt the old farmer. Wren then turned to Jack, seemingly noticing the dread Jack was feeling.
He then grabbed the boy's hand, sliding a key into it. "She's all yours, Jack. Treat her well and she'll get you home." Wren gestured to the old skimmer not far away.
"Wren, you don't have to give me your ride…" Jack trailed off.
"You'll need it more than me. Plus, I'm too old to play Sky Knight and I can't think of any other person more worthy of that bike than you." Wren said, pushing the key against Jack's chest. His grip on the key tightened before nodding.
"I'll take good care of her." Said Jack, tears forming in his eyes. He always hated goodbyes.
Especially the long ones. Jack couldn't help but feel reminded about when the first space bridge was destroyed, Megatron almost killing Arcee. 'Jack, really? There are other motorcycle's in the world.' She had told him. Now he had another transforming motorcycle without anything that made Jack fond of the autobot lieutenant. I'll get back home, Arcee. I promise. Jack vowed, clutching the key in his hand.
End Chapter.