Here we are with the second chapter, I hope you're all ready for it. This one is going to have more action, so some excitement there. Okay, everyone have fun reading. Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OCs.
Sky Knight & Witch
Chapter Two: Age of Heroes (Part Two)
If Terra Cyclonia could be described in one word, it would be corrupted. Lightning crashed against the dark red sky every so often with booming thunder. Thick, smoky clouds covered it, save for the tall, sharp rocks that stretched out and curved at the top. However, these rocks were the homes of many of the empire's citizens. They were all connected by stone and rope bridges, leading to the menacing metal tower above them. Built around the perimeters were watchtowers to keep an eye out for anyone foolish enough to try and sneak in.
Boasting the largest army in the known Atmos, and numerous other Terras under its control, Cyclonia had easily become known as the most powerful nation since it was first formed. Everyone in the world trembled with fear at the mention of the Cyclonian Empire and the one who ruled over it.
Master Cyclonis.
Inside a dark room, at the very top of the tower, a figure stood in front of a strange machine on an elevated platform. They were dressed in a long purplish-black robe, a hood covering their head. Small, pale fingers pressed down on three sets of keyboards, resembling those of a typewriter. With each press, mechanical hands attached to the machine would move and insert various crystals into its mechanism.
Behind the figure, a group of people stood. It consisted of a fair-skinned woman with short magenta hair and gold eyes, a bow in her hand. Beside her was a tall, stocky, and muscular man with blue hair, dark eyes, and a light skin complexion. He shared similar facial features to the female archer and clutched a dangerous-looking mace.
Humanoid reptile-like creatures stood on the other side of the room. The leader, taller and darker than his companions, gave a small hiss of impatience for the meeting to begin.
"Once upon a time, Cyclonia ruled over all of Atmos." the hooded figure spoke, voice low and feminine. "But then the Sky Knights were formed and the balance shifted. I intend to set things back to how they once were when our Terra was at its most glorious." she continued to type away at the keys. "And it will be, once our Talons have permanently clipped the wings of those who stand in our way."
Just as she finished speaking, the door to the room opened. Everyone but the figure turned around. In walked a tall man, dark-haired and crimson-eyed, with a sword strapped to his back. In front of his armored uniform, a blood-red vulture was carved onto a silver chest plate.
"That would be my greatest pleasure, Master Cyclonis." he came to stand in front of the group.
"Ah, Dark Ace, so glad you could finally join us." the hooded figure said with a smirk.
"My apologies, I found myself busy dealing with some, shall we say, rebellious characters on one of your Terras." he replied, lifting his hand to his face. He used his thumb to wipe away a spot of something red and liquid from his cheek.
"Well, no matter. We were just getting to the important part."
"I could care less about your plans, Cyclonis!" the leader of humanoid reptiles, Repton, stepped forward. "What's in it for the Raptors?"
The top Cyclonis's hood split into spines and stood erect above her head. She turned around, violet eyes meeting the impatient, yellow ones glaring at her. "I could start by saying untold riches, but instead…"
Her arm came up, a bright red crystal clenched within her fingers. A beam of energy shot out and collided with the lizard man, wrapping around him like a giant hand. He was lifted into the air and pinned to the wall. He struggled, but, the more he did so, the more the attack intended to crush his body flat.
"I promise not to annihilate your pathetic, measly Terra Bogaton!" Cyclonis told him, eyes narrowed.
Lowering the crystal, the energy holding him up disappeared. Dark Ace smirked as the humanoid reptile crashed to the hard floor.
"How does that sound?"
"I-I believe…" Repton lifted himself, posture more submissive. "I believe we can agree on something."
"Good." Cyclonis smirked in satisfaction, the beauty mark underneath her left eye more prominent. She turned her gaze up to the skylight on the high ceiling. "Then let it begin. It's time to send a message to Atmos, that its future belongs to Cyclonia. It belongs… to me."
After the meeting was concluded and the plan of attack was established, the young ruler and her right hand were the first to leave the room. Walking down a long hallway, a sigh left her lips.
"Raptors are such a hassle to deal with." she pinched the bridge of her nose. "They are always demanding something."
"I agree, but they are useful where it matters."
"That's true enough." Cyclonis brushed her fingers through her chin-length, black hair. "If not, I would have had you wipe out that bunch ages ago."
"All you have to do is give the word, Master Cyclonis." Dark Ace held his arm against his chest, clenched fist touching his left shoulder.
"Not just yet, I'm afraid." she smirked at the older man as they turned a corner. "More importantly, what's the status of the letter I wrote?"
They came upon a tall metal door, a keypad planted in the wall beside it. She typed in a long series of numbers without looking. The door slid open and the pair walked inside, overhead lights switching on automatically.
In the workshop, the sovereign spent most of her time aside from her private office, busying herself with plans and experiments. One table was covered in papers of hand-drawn formulas. A workbench held different types of devices she had her engineers build to test the vast collection of crystals she kept organized on several shelves.
"It was delivered to Terra Aeaea, as you instructed." Dark Ace informed as Cyclonis went to a small table in the back of the room. "As far as I know, it was received by your sister. However, it doesn't seem she intends to send back a reply."
"Yes, I figured that would be the case." she said, flipping a nearby light switch.
Above her head, a dangling lamp turned on. Having designed it herself, it was powered by a Solar Crystal, offering natural sunlight to the only plant life in the workshop. A pair of pink roses sat in a pot of fresh soil, their thorny stems circling one another. Picking up a small watering can on the table, she dowsed them with just the right amount. After caring for these flowers for almost two years, she was proud to note not a single petal had wilted away since then. She had long memorized the instructions on how to nurture them.
"Once my plans for Atmos are set in motion, I'm sure Circe will be reaching out soon enough."
"Pardon my saying this, Master Cyclonis, but the princess does appear adamant about not getting involved in this whole matter." Dark Ace said.
"True, my sister prefers to stay out of this war. Living on that peaceful little Terra of hers. That being said…" Cyclonis gently caressed the roses in both hands, her black fingernails sticking out against their bright petals. "When Cyclonia finally has complete control over Atmos, I wonder how fast she'll change her mind." she smirked to herself.
(Terra Aeaea)
Running a Terra was no easy feat, any ruler would tell you that. There is a mountain of things to consider when you're charged with looking after a large city and its inhabitants. The people needed food, fresh water, money, medical care, clothes, and other miscellaneous items to satisfy them.
Terra Aeaea managed to get by on its own for the most part, farmers grew crops and kept livestock while professional doctors were always on call. The economy was also stable, everything was available at a reasonable price so the citizens could afford what they needed. However, there were times when supplies ran low and Circe had to contact outside sources.
Since she first took over Terra Aeaea, she refused to call on Cyclonia for help, even if her sister was now the one in charge. So she looked to merchants that flew all over Atmos, offering their services of gathering whatever a Terra needed or wanted that its people could not obtain themselves. After much research, Circe settled on one man who was a bit more expensive but yielded the best results in terms of quality and speed of deliverance. For the most part, they maintained an adequate business relationship. Lately, though, a small issue has come up.
That issue was currently being discussed in the throne room of Circe's palace. The floor was polished, white ceramic tile with a black damask pattern. In the middle was a long red carpet that led from the entrance to a small, elevated platform covered in similar fabric.
The young ruler sat on the tall golden throne with plush navy blue padding on the back and seat. Her elbow was settled on one of the arms, the side of her head resting against her fist as her eyes roamed over a slip of paper she held in her other hand. It was the invoice for the supplies she had ordered some time ago. Standing at her side was Perse, her lion lazily draped across her feet.
Not one sound was made in the vast room, nowhere near helping the nerves of the merchant who stood at the center. He knew something must be wrong once he docked his ship at Terra Aeaea's port. Instead of just dropping off the supplies he had delivered, he was shocked to be informed he had been summoned to the palace. The reason was unknown, but he was asked to bring the bill of everything gathered. Normally, he would get paid for his services by the harbourmaster and be on his way. However, it was the first time he was asked to meet with the ruler of the Terra he had done business with for the last four years to confirm a purchase. The silent atmosphere of the throne room was almost suffocating.
Circe lowered the invoice from her face and looked at the merchant. He was middle-aged, fit, and well-dressed with good features. Some would say he was attractive, even if the early stages of baldness were making itself known at the top of his head. She passed the list to Perse and sat up straighter.
"It would appear that everything is in order." she spoke, making him give a small jump at her sudden voice. "As usual, you have done well in delivering what I requested."
"Of…" he cleared his throat. "Of course, Lady Circe. My company and I always obtain the best of the best. And we make sure they are brought on time."
"I am well aware, it's one of the reasons why I hired you over other candidates."
"I'm flattered, Your Ladyship. Some of what you asked wasn't easy to gather, and-"
"However…" Circe cut him off. "Recently, I couldn't help but notice that the price has been increasing with each delivery."
"Ah, that." the merchant licked his upper lip nervously, the tip of his tongue brushing against the small hairs of his mustache. "I understand if it's inconvenient, but one must consider many things in this line of work, such as fuel for the ship, purchasing the items, and so on. There are also taxes, bills, recession, and all that unpleasantness that comes with running a business."
"Yes, I have thought about those." she crossed one leg over the other. "What bothers me is that I have almost always ordered the same supplies from you for years. There have been a few odds and ends, but it remains unchanged for the most part. Even if you add the factors you mentioned, the total is nearly five times what it normally would be. I find such a steep price rather odd since I know you haven't had any problems in your business as of late."
Beads of sweat gathered in the middle of his eyebrows, trailing down his nose to his cheek. He wiped it away with a handkerchief. "I-It might seem unreasonable, Lady Circe. But please keep in mind that not all Terras have been as prosperous as yours, some of us do struggle in some areas financially. And I know you can certainly afford to pay a small overpriced bill such as this. Surely we can get past all this and carry on with our day." he wrung his hands together as he gave his best professional smile.
The lion raised his head from the floor, tail slapping against the surface impatiently. The beginnings of a low growl were in his throat as he trained amber eyes on the merchant. While he froze on the spot, Circe leaned over and put her fingers into the large feline's mane. She massaged the spot between his ears and he settled down with a hum.
Her eyes turned to the man who looked ready to drop if he didn't leave soon. While she could afford to pay the bill, there were projects she had plans to better use the money for. And it was all too clear he was underestimating her.
To the merchant, Circe was just a child given a role of authority too early. He was an adult, owner of a business that took him all over Atmos. Naturally, he believed he knew better than some girl playing the part of a ruler.
Circe will admit she was no businesswoman, and the only places she had ever lived were Terra Aeaea and Cyclonia. However, that did not mean she was a fool. And she was more than happy to let this man know.
"Mister Lombard, during your travels, is it fair to assume you're familiar with a Terra called Euphoria?"
He looked like he was about to faint, stammering over his words. "I-I… well, that is to say, I know of it… somewhat. B-But it's not the sort of place a young lady like yourself should…"
"Oh, I'm well aware of its reputation." Circe said, expression stony. "It's very famous for providing its guests with unforgettable and pleasurable experiences, fulfilling whatever it is they desire. For a certain fee, of course."
"I-I see…" Lombard's face was turning redder by the second. "I've only heard stories from others, I… I've never visited the Terra myself."
"Is that right?" without looking away, the young ruler raised her hand and gestured towards Perse.
The Aquanosian nodded in return and pulled out something tucked into the back of her sash. A single white envelope. Wordlessly, she walked over to the merchant, placed it in his hands, and returned to the side of her Ladyship.
Hands shaking, the man slowly opened the envelope and pulled out what was inside. His eyes widened so much they could have merged into one.
"It would seem you partake in quite a few interesting hobbies on Terra Euphoria, Mister Lombard." Circe said with a smirk as some of the photographs he held slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor.
In clear, colored resolution, the merchant was shown in graphic, compromising positions with various women, men, or both. A few were tamer, showing him in passionate lip-locking or groping sessions. More explicit ones, though, were taken in hotel rooms, the luxurious kind one couldn't pay with just any measly salary. The pictures also displayed his fondness for anything involving ropes, leather, a riding crop, and other toys that shall remain nameless. In the photos, he was always the recipient of these activities.
"Either your wife does not join you in these escapades, or she is very much unaware of them." the young ruler watched as the man sank to his knees, his horrified eyes never leaving the pictures. "Would you mind telling me which it is?"
"I… I love my wife." were the first things out of Lombard's mouth. "I love her, and our little family, I truly do. It-It's just… she doesn't share the same feelings for these as I do. And you must understand that everyone has their needs. Work gets so stressful at times, as well. But, please believe me when I say I never intended to cause any harm…." his head bowed in shame.
Circe stared at him blankly, rising from her throne, and walked down the platform steps. Her sandaled feet moved across the long stretch of carpet, stopping until she stood above the man. Hesitantly, he lifted his head to her, immediately meeting a cold, hard stare.
"Did I give any indication that I care whatsoever for the reason behind your illicit affairs?" she spoke calmly, but her displeasure was all too clear. "What I do care about is your intent to rob me so you could continue to support them. You can see how I find the thought of that distasteful, don't you?"
Though this girl was young, barely older than his own children, the intensity emitted from her body made Lombard shiver. The lion's predatory gaze was nothing compared to how she looked at him. The pressure of her eyes was too much, forcing him to shrink in on himself and almost curl into a ball on the carpet.
Circe crouched down and picked up one of the fallen photographs, holding it between her middle and index finger. "I can only imagine how much your home life would suffer if your private one came to light." she said, tone casual, as she stared impassively at the image of him naked with two women in graphic detail. "Not only that, but your business would also receive serious backlash when your other clients learn how you've been investing the money you overcharged them. That being said, Mister Lombard…"
The young ruler placed her free hand on the merchant's head, pushing it back until he was face-to-face with her. She smiled prettily and turned the picture around for him to see.
"Shall we renegotiate the price of my purchase?"
The discussion lasted barely a minute. A defeated Lombard walked out of the throne room, another servant waiting outside to escort him to the entrance. The doors closed behind him, leaving the two ladies and the lion.
"You managed to get the cost of the supplies for next to nothing, Your Ladyship." Perse remarked, impressed, as she came to stand by the younger girl. "But why did you not demand it all for free?"
"In the end, he is still a businessman and has to make a living." Circe collected the photographs on the floor and stood up. "Also, it would have looked odd if someone noticed he didn't charge me a thing for the order. If anyone asks questions, he can say I was given a special discount for being such a loyal customer over the years."
"I see." the Aquanosian took hold of the pictures when they were handed to her. "Out of curiosity, Milady, but will you be showing these to Mister Lombard's wife?"
"If I did that, I wouldn't have anything over him. The photos will come in handy if he attempts to step out of line again. Plus, they might be even more useful if I ever needed to request something off the record." the young ruler walked to the doors, the lion getting up and following her. "Besides, if he wishes to continue partaking in his dirty little secret, that is his decision."
"Still, having such affairs and going on about how he loves his wife and family…" Perse didn't bother to hide her disgust, nose wrinkling. "What a loathsome man."
"That he is." Circe agreed as they exited the throne room and walked down the corridor. "Of course, what else would you expect from people like him? They live to fulfill their own desires, regardless of who they hurt in the process. Practically everyone in Atmos is like that."
"Your cynicism has always unnerved me, Your Ladyship."
"Now you know I speak the truth, Perse. We've both seen our fair share of the true nature of people." the girl reached up to stroke the head of the giant feline at her side.
They took a few more turns down the hallways, arriving at a pair of double doors. Pushing one open, they walked into a spacious office.
A wooden desk sat in the room, topped with a reading lamp, a pile of documents, a couple of pens, and an electronic tablet. One black leather chair was set behind it while two smaller chairs were placed on the other side. Pressed against the right wall, a leather sofa faced a series of floor-to-ceiling glass windows that gave a view to the outside, a generous amount of sunlight lighting the office.
On the back wall was a pair of filled bookcases. The books covered various subjects, such as; Atmos's history, the wonders and dangers of Aeaea, customs and culture of different Terras, and many more. In each corner of the office, potted plants bloomed a healthy green.
"Care for a quick game, Perse?" Circe walked over to the small table next to the windows, sitting in one of the chairs on either side.
"I feel like you only ask me because you already know the outcome." the older woman said, looking at the setup chessboard resting on the furniture's flat surface. While she considered herself a decent chess player, the rounds she went against Her Ladyship made her put her skills into perspective.
"It's always good to exercise your brain, keep it sharp. Of course, if you would rather spare yourself some humiliation…" the young ruler gave a teasing smirk.
While she was aware of the taunt, Perse was not one to back down from a challenge. She occupied the empty chair while the lion settled on the office's dark red fur rug.
"As always, you allow me to make the first move." the Aquanosian eyed her white pieces thoughtfully.
"If you let your opponent go first, you can come up with an idea on what they have planned." Circe straightened out her queen before leaning back in her seat.
"I take it this applies to real life." the taller woman took one of her pawns and moved it two squares.
"Naturally."
"Personally, I find chess to be easier than reality. It just seems more straightforward."
The young ruler hummed noncommittally, gaze never leaving the chessboard. "Did you know there are two types of people I favor?"
"Milady?" Perse looked at her curiously.
"There are the righteous fools, people who fight to defend their beliefs because they think them to be the correct path. They are even willing to die for them. And then you have the self-serving fools." Circe picked up her knight piece, staring as she twirled it between her fingers. "They are the ones that will do what they believe is best for themselves, taking every opportunity to ensure their own survival and interest."
"And why is it these people you think of so highly?"
"Because they're both the same." the Cyclonian girl smirked. "Once you figure out how a person works, what it is they desire, it's all too easy to get them to do what you want."
She set the black knight back on the board, right where she wanted it.
(Terra Atmosia)
Right outside the beacon tower, Carver parked his Chariot and dismounted. He walked up to the entrance, taking a moment to look towards the sky. Silently, he stared at the light that shone and protected the Terra.
"Pardon me, Carver, but what is it we're doing here?" asked one of the Red Eagles standing behind him.
"Just making a quick pick-up for someone." he replied, not taking his eyes off the light. A small exhale let him. After months of planning, the day was finally here. Everything was about to change.
For him, and Atmos.
"Sir, is something wrong?"
"That depends on your point of view." Carver's hand went to the weapon strapped to his side, grabbing the hilt. "Gentlemen… It's been an honor flying with you."
He spun around to face them, blade drawn.
"Okay, it's one thing if you wanna taste test like one scoop. But who in their right mind gets an entire sundae of ice cream that's octopus flavored? I mean, aren't you supposed to cook octopi on the grill instead of freezing it into a dessert?"
"It's actually not that bad once you give it a chance." Junko told Finn. A large glass bowl was set before him, filled with a small tower of red-colored ice cream scoops, topped with whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, cherries, and bananas. "Here, just take a bite."
Finn and Stork both leaned back in their chairs when he held out a spoonful of his not-so-sweet treat, grimacing at the bits of tentacle they saw in it. There was one spot on it that looked terrifyingly similar to an eyeball.
"You know, uh… turns out, I'm allergic to anything with suction cups." the Merb informed.
"Yeah, I'm- I'm gonna have to pass on that, buddy." the blond nodded.
"Suit yourself." the Wallop shrugged before pulling back the ice cream and shoving it into his mouth. He soon made quick work of eating more of his sundae.
"Okay, I think I just lost my appetite. Forever." Stork said blankly, tossing his cone of plain vanilla into a nearby trash can. Finn gagged, trying his best to keep down his strawberry banana.
Not that far off, Piper giggled at the exchange before turning around, leaning her elbows against the stone railing. Accessed by a small flight of stairs, the ice cream parlor they found was on top of a patio. The counter the server stood behind held a handful of flavors, protected by the sun's bright rays by an awning. Around were chairs, tables, and benches for customers to sit down and enjoy their ice cream and other frozen treats available.
While taking a bite of her mango sherbet, Piper looked at the view of the city square. Children played innocently in the traffic-free streets, people going in and out of the stores and boutiques lined up in a row. Couples sat under planted trees or on the marble fountain spraying crystal-clear water. Everywhere she looked, everyone looked so peaceful and happy. It was understandable since Atmosia was considered one of the safest Terras in Atmos. And it was all thanks to the Aurora Stone and Red Eagles.
A small smile stretched across her face, glad some people could live without worrying constantly about Cyclonia and its forces. She just hoped it would last.
"You feeling any better, Aerrow?" Piper asked, turning her head to look at the Sky Knight standing beside her. "The ice cream helps, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it's great." was his only reply, attention also on the square. However, his expression was more serious. And, judging by the way it was melting, he hadn't even tasted his blueberry.
"Aerrow." she placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a knowing look when he turned to her.
The redhead sighed. "I'm sorry, Piper." he handed the ice cream to Raddar, who had been eyeing it hungrily ever since it was handed to him. "I guess I have too much on my mind to have an appetite after all."
"Still thinking about earlier, with the Council and Carver." she stated, getting a nod in response. "I get how you feel, really. I don't want everyone to see us as children either, we've seen things most adults haven't. If only there was some way to change their minds." she sighed.
"The whole formality thing is a crock, anyway." Finn said as he and the others came over and joined them by the railing. "You know what Ajax would say if he was here right now? He would say that some page in a book, and a couple of old geezers who have never even seen the battlefield themselves, aren't what make a Sky Knight Squadron. And they can shove their rules up their you know what."
Piper chuckled a bit. "Yeah, he would definitely say that."
"He also told us that, even if they let us be official, we wouldn't have the easiest time." Junko added, taking another bite of his half-finished sundae.
"Maybe we should just count our losses and go back to Terra Thessaly." Stork said, shielding his eyes from the Wallop stuffing his face with ice cream and tentacles. "You know, while we still have some dignity left to squash."
"No way." Arrow spoke up, adamant. "Giving up now would make all the years of hard work we did for nothing. We can't call it quits at the first obstacle that shows itself. Things may not be going our way so far, but I'm just not going to roll over and let others decide we can't be a real Squadron."
"And Ajax would say, spoken like a true Sky Knight." Finn grinned.
Raddar chirped in agreement, giving a thumbs up as leftover ice cream covered his muzzle.
"You know we're with you Aerrow, no matter what." Piper told him. "I'm sure we'll get our chance to prove ourselves eventually."
"Oh, sure, opportunity is just gonna fall right out of the sky and land at our feet." Stork's voice was fully laced with sarcasm.
Literally one second later, the bright blue sky above them darkened. The wind picked up, blowing fiercely and sending lighter objects flying. Citizens looked about in shock, panic quickly arising among their confusion.
"Why did I have to say that?" the Merb bemoaned.
"The beacon tower!" Junko pointed towards the distance with his spoon, directly at the tall structure that no longer bore any light. "It stopped… beaconing!"
"Something's happened to the Aurora Stone!" Piper exclaimed.
"Storm Hawks, to the Chariots!" Aerrow quickly jumped to action. "We need to check this out!"
"Uh, you think I could just meet you back at the Condor, instead?" Stork asked, causing the two small silver hoops on his pointed left ear to jingle as it twitched nervously.
"Come on, dude!" Finn pushed at his back while Piper grabbed his arm. "Junko, we gotta go!"
"Oh, uh, right!" the Wallop looked at the sundae he had yet to finish. He looked back and forth between it and his team, who had already made their way to the street. Letting out a forlorn sigh, he tossed the bowl and spoon away and quickly followed after them.
The Squadron ran to the city center, climbing aboard their awaiting Chariots and starting them up. They wasted no time heading towards the tower, cobblestone giving way to a dirt path. Trees blurred in their eyes as they raced up the tall hill where the structure was built. It wasn't long before they made it to the top, and were greeted with the most unexpected, dreadful sight.
"What happened?" was all a stunned Finn could say, Stork riding in the back of the Artemis.
Though the doors to the tower were wide open, what lay before them was the center of their focus. Destroyed Chariots were scattered haphazardly on the ground, along with what remained of their pilots. The members of the Red Eagles Squadron were motionless, blood almost as red as the emblems they wore gathering underneath them to form a large pool.
"Oh my God…" Piper held a hand to her mouth, horrified along with the rest. This wasn't her or anyone else's first time seeing a dead body. However, it was never easy to see those lifeless, dull eyes staring up at you.
Aerrow had to get over his shock to look at the scene properly. Judging by the fresh wounds on the Red Eagles, they had met their end not that long ago. He also noted the lack of signs indicating a struggle, meaning their attacker caught them by surprise. Whoever it was, they were as strong as they were fast.
"Guys!" Junko shouted from where he was kneeling beside a fallen Red Eagle, Raddar sniffing him. "I think there's someone still alive!"
The rest of the team rushed over, Aerrow getting down next to the Wallop to check on the man. The front of his uniform was ripped apart, showing the deep wound on his chest. A large, ugly jagged scar was embedded in his skin, blood painting it a sickening crimson and almost covering the burn marks around it.
This was the work of a Firebolt Crystal, the go-to arsenal for the Talons of Cyclonia.
"Who did this to you?" Aerrow asked the Red Eagle member, who was struggling to breathe and keep his eyes open. "Was it the Cyclonians?"
"C-Car…" the man tried to speak, unexpectedly going into a coughing fit. Blood shot out of his mouth, even more gushing out of his wound.
"Aerrow, he needs medical attention right now!" Piper told the redhead.
"Uh, I don't think we'll have much time to get it." Stork spoke up. While he was a pessimist, it was obvious to him and everyone how this was going to end for the man.
The Red Eagle's hand came up, grabbing Aerrow's arm and making him look right into his eyes. The light was fading from them at an alarming rate.
"C-Carver…" he spoke weakly. "Crystal… get… h-help…" his fingers squeezed around the young Sky Knight briefly before they loosened, hand falling to the ground.
The Storm Hawks stared silently as Aerrow placed his fingers against the man's neck. After a moment, he let out a low exhale and leaned back. Closing the Red Eagle's eyelids, he stood up and looked at the others.
"Carver isn't here…" he said, pointing out the absence of the Squardon's leader. "He must have gone after whoever attacked them, trying to stop them from getting to the Aurora Stone."
"What should we do now, Aerrow?" Finn asked. "Call in for backup?"
"I'm all for getting far, far away from here." Stork interjected.
The redhead thought about it, the best course of action would be to inform the Sky Knight Council of what was happening. However, they were most likely already aware since the skies turned dark. Considering what happened to the other Red Eagles, and the dying man's last words, there was a chance Carver was injured and needed help. Regardless, he didn't have time to second-guess himself.
"We're going in." Aerrow told them, expression hardening. "If we go back now, it'll be too late. The Aurora Stone is in danger and it's our job as a Squadron to protect it. Are you all with me?"
Piper looked at the fallen Red Eagles, their skin pale and bloody. As unnerving as the scene was, she knew this was what they signed up for when they chose to become a Squadron together years ago. If she backed out now, she could never go forward again.
Steeling herself, Piper pulled out her crystal staff and looked at Aerrow, nodding firmly. Though initially hesitant, Finn and Junko pulled out their respective weapons. Raddar chattered from the ground, raring to go. Everyone looked at Stork expectantly.
"As much as I would love to run all the way back to the Condor…" he moved forward to avoid stepping in blood. "I feel safer sticking with all of you."
"Alright, Storm Hawks." Aerrow faced the opened tower doors, reaching behind him. He grabbed the handles of his twin blades strapped to his back and drew them. "Let's move out."
They hurried inside, going up the incredibly long, spiral staircase that led to the top of the tower. Every few steps or so, small droplets of blood were splattered on the stone surface.
"You would think this place would have like an elevator or something." Finn remarked in a hushed whisper, peeking over the edge of the staircase and taking in how far they had gone up. One wrong step and they would be as dead as the Red Eagles outside.
"At least, this way, we'll have the element of surprise." Piper told him.
"Still, whoever designed this tower could have bothered to install a guard rail." Stork complained, pressing his back against the wall and crawling slowly along.
"Just stay calm and keep an eye out." Aerrow said. "We're almost at the top. Hopefully, Carver's managed to hold the intruder off."
Soon enough, the team arrived on the landing that led to a large, circular room. Metal beams supported the roof and separated tall openings, which gave a bird's eye view of Terra Atmosia. In the center was an elevated platform with a pedestal hooked up to a mechanical device hanging above it. Where the Aurora Stone should have been, was only a vacant space.
"The Aurora Stone really has been taken." Piper voiced the obvious.
"The intruder had to have come the same way we did." Aerrow stated. "Unless they decided to jump, we would have come across them already. So they still have to be here."
"You would be right about that."
The group turned, seeing someone step out of the shadows on the other side of the room. The first thing they noticed was the bright blue-purple crystal encased in a metal wing. Immediately after, they realized who was holding it.
"Carver?" Aerrow blinked once in surprise. Taking a quick survey of the room, he confirmed that the only ones present were him, his team, and the other Sky Knight. In an instant, things began to click into place. "Don't tell me…"
"No!" Piper got the same idea, eyes widening in disbelief. "You can't be-"
"Taking the Aurora Stone to its new home on Cyclonia?" Carver walked up the platform steps, standing on top and looking down at the Squadron.
"You were totally right about the whole not meeting your heroes thing." Finn mumbled to Stork.
"How… How could you do this?!" Aerrow could barely hold back his anger. "You're supposed to be a Sky Knight!"
"A Sky Knight who sees which way the winds are blowing. Atmos can fight for as long and hard as it wants, but all it will do is prolong the inevitable. This war has been going on for too long, it's about time it ended. I just plan to be on the winning side when it does."
"And killing your Squadron? Was that part of your plan?"
Craver's expression was unreadable, looking at the crystal he held for a brief moment. "Some things are worth making sacrifices for." his voice was low, almost unheard by the group.
"Nothing good could ever come from trading the lives of others for your own gain." the redhead glared.
"You're too young to understand what it really means to survive, and I don't have time to explain it. I have a delivery to make for Master Cyclonis."
Aerrow brandished his blades. "I'm not letting you leave with that crystal."
"Heh." Carver smirked in amusement, pocketing the Aurora Stone. "You're welcome to try and stop me." he pulled out his sword, fresh blood running across the sharp blade's edge. Attached to the end of the hilt was a deep red crystal.
"A gift from Cyclonis, I take it?"
"There are quite a few perks to being one of her spies." the older man said as the Firebolt Crystal activated, covering his weapon in a matching glow of energy.
Aerrow's blades became covered in a similar glow but were bright sky-blue. The rest of the Storm Hawks stood at the sidelines, watching anxiously as the Sky Knights stared each other down. A single bolt of lightning crashed against the dark clouds outside, illuminating the room for one brief moment.
Carver made the first move, lunging off the platform with his sword poised to strike. Aerrow jumped out of the way before the attack could hit. When the other landed on the floor, he charged forward and slashed one of his blades at his chest. The older man blocked the weapon with his own, quickly moving his head back a split second later when its twin aimed for his neck.
The redhead moved back to put some distance between them. He saw Carver cut the air vertically, sending a jagged bolt of energy from his weapon straight for him. Leaping into the air, the attack scorched the spot he was just standing in. With a backflip, he landed on the platform and straightened out. His opponent grinned mockingly and beckoned him to come on with his hand.
Aerrow threw one of his blades at him, causing him to turn to the side and watch it become embedded into the ledge surrounding the room. Once distracted, the young Sky Knight jumped towards him, slashing down his other blade. However, Carver faced him in time to block it with his sword. The two pushed against one another, small sparks flying between their weapons. Physically stronger, the older man began to get the upper hand and forced the younger down.
Before his knees could touch the floor, the redhead hooked his foot around the other's ankle and pulled. The unexpected loss of balance made Carver fall back, but he recovered in time to push himself up with one hand and get on his feet again. He held up his sword and deflected the other's next attack, both blades clashing against one another repeatedly.
"You got this, Aerrow!" Finn cheered. "He's got this, right?" he asked the others.
"Aerrow might have talent and training, but Carver is way more experienced." Piper replied, not taking her eyes off the fight for even a moment. "Aerrow's at a real disadvantage."
Her statement was proven true as the older man now had the younger on the defensive. His attacks came in harder and swifter, barely giving the other a chance to breathe as he was forced back. The slashes he couldn't block, Aerrow felt them on his skin when they cut through his uniform. His arms, legs, and even his sides suffered from the blows. One wrong move and the next thing sliced open could be his throat.
When Carver pulled his sword back far enough, that's when an opportunity presented itself. Quickly, he raised his knee and slammed it against the other's stomach. This threw off his momentum and made him stagger. Now it was Aerrow's turn for offense.
Due to the lightness of his blade, his attacks came in even faster than his opponent's. Carver tried to stand his ground, but it became harder to keep up with the young Sky Knight. He slashed his sword vertically, sending out another energy blot. A split second before it could hit, Aerrow spun in a full circle. He felt the heat of the attack through his uniform as it shot past him to the other side of the room, hitting a column. As he faced his opponent again, he slashed his weapon.
Not enough time to block with his sword, Carver instinctively held up his arm. A loud cry escaped him as the blade sliced the exposed skin not protected by his arm guards. Jumping back, he looked at the blood flowing from the long gash in disbelief. It quickly gave way to anger as he turned his glaring eyes back on the redhead.
Aerrow charged and aimed his weapon at the older man. This time, Carver deflected it with his sword. His leg rose, kicking the other in the chest. The young Sky Knight fell to the ground, but he did a quick roll and got back on his feet. Blade poised to strike, he lunged at his opponent once more.
Carver blocked his attack again, his free hand curling into a fist and slamming hard against the younger one's stomach. Aerrow gave an air-less gasp, barely feeling his opponent grabbing and throwing him. He tumbled across the floor until his back hit the ledge. Regaining the ability to use his lungs, the redhead pushed himself up to one knee. He looked up, seeing his opponent stalking towards him.
"You made an oath…" Aerrow panted. "You swore to protect Atmos and its people. Was whatever Cyclnois offered you worth turning your back on everything?"
"You really fancy yourself a Sky Knight, don't you?" Carver sneered. "Things like honor and protecting the weak mean nothing in war. It's just too bad you won't be around long enough to realize that." he raised his sword.
The redhead held up his blade, barely making it in time to block the other. He fought against him, but his current position was making it difficult.
"Aerrow!" Piper went to try and help, but Junko held her back.
"Oh! Tell me when it's over!" Stork covered his eyes with his hands. Not even a second later, he peeked through his fingers.
"Did you honestly expect to beat me!" Carver pushed harder against him, the long blade getting dangerously closer to the younger's face
The hot energy surrounding the sword was felt on his skin. If he didn't do something soon, burn marks would be the least of his worries.
"You may have the uniform, the gear, the emblem, but that means nothing. In the end, you're nothing more than a little boy playing pretend."
Something was set alight in Aerrow, a mixture of anger and determination. He was getting tired of hearing people underestimating him. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on his weapon and looked straight at the other's face, eyes narrowed. "No. I'm. Not!"
With one hard push, the glow of his blade gave an almost blinding flash. This unexpected combo caused Carver to stumble back in surprise. Taking the chance, Aerrow shot to his feet and went to where his other blade was waiting, pulling it from the ledge.
He turned to his opponent and took a deep breath. Closing his eyes, he touched his two blades together and concentrated. The energy around them became bigger and brighter, causing the other Storm Hawks to shield their eyes. Though taken aback, Carver quickly recovered and charged forward, sword poised for one fatal attack.
Aerrow lifted the weapons above his head, feeling the power in them surging through him and coating his entire body in a sky-blue glow. When he opened his eyes, they were also glowing. With one swift motion, he brought the blades down and aimed them at the older man.
A great ball of energy shot out, going straight for Carver and hitting him dead center. In a bright flash of light, he was sent flying until he hit the pedestal. He landed unceremoniously on the platform, struggling to try and stand. Eventually, he collapsed completely, slipping off to the floor below and lying motionlessly.
Silence filled the room as everyone stared at the fallen, traitorous Sky Knight. A beat later, the rest of the Storm Hawks began to cheer as Aerrow put away his twin blades, the glow around him blinking out. He walked across the room and picked the Aurora Stone from the floor. It was knocked off Carver when his attack hit. Thankfully, it didn't appear to be damaged in any way.
"Aerrow, you did it!" Piper rushed over and hugged him around the neck. "That was incredible!"
"How did you do that just now?" Junko asked in amazement.
"Honestly, I'm not totally sure." Aerrow answered, using one arm to return Piper's embrace. "One second, I was struggling against Carver. The next, I was pulling off that move."
That was more or less true, it was the first time he had used such an attack. During his fight, the only thing on his mind was to win. Before he knew it, the idea for the move and how to do it came into his head. He remembered that Ajax and Piper once told him the Blue Striker Crystals powering his blades were as special as they were rare, the full extent of their capabilities still unknown. If that move was any indication, he had just unlocked one of them.
"We are definitely the real deal now, dude!" Finn exclaimed. "By the way, you got a name for that awesome move?"
"I think…" Aerrow mulled it over for a moment as he and Piper separated. "Lightning Claw has a nice ring to it." he smiled at his team.
Walking up the platform, he placed the Aurora Stone back on its pedestal. Hovering between it and the machine above, the crystal began to glow exponentially.
Outside, the dark cloud immediately disappeared, revealing the bright blue sky from earlier. The sun almost rivaled the bright light that once again shone from the top of the tower.
With the Aurora Stone returned to where it belonged, the Storm Hawks didn't have to wait long for the authorities of Atmosia to arrive on the scene. After not hearing from the Red Eagles, they came to see what the situation was. It wasn't hard to convince them of Carver and his treachery, not with the bodies of his former Squadron still lying outside the tower doors.
In less than half an hour, Aerrow and his team watched a handcuffed Carver being led away by a pair of guards. As they were passing them, he came to an abrupt stop and turned to the one who managed to beat him.
"You may think you've won, but the worst is yet to come. Your fighting is meaningless, the Cyclonia Empire will continue to rise. And…" he got in the younger boy's face, voice low with warning. "Master Cyclonis isn't fond of those who stand between her and what she wants."
Aerrow stared, unwavering, as Carver was grabbed by the guards and dragged away. He didn't take his eyes away until they were out of sight. A hand on his shoulder made him look at Piper, who smiled reassuringly at him. He returned the gesture.
Then the sound of someone clearing their throat made the Squadron turn their heads. Approaching them was Councilor Jupiter, flanked by two other council members.
"Pardon me, ah… Storm Hawks. We'd like a word with you if you don't mind."
"Ah ha! You see?" Finn nudged Junko. "I bet this is the part where they beg us to protect the Terra." he grinned excitedly.
After a meeting with the Sky Knight Council, the team returned to the Condor. They gathered in the bridge, which was located in the bow of the ship, to discuss the request that was asked of them. Long story short, it wasn't quite what they expected.
"I can't believe all they want us to do is go get help!" Finn complained, sitting at a large round table, the team's emblem painted on its surface.
"Finn! Because of Carver, Terra Atmosia is without a Sky Knight Squadron to protect it!" Piper, the only one not sitting down, pointed out. "And that includes the Aurora Stone!"
"Ah!" Aerrow hissed lowly, his body flinching. "A little bit more gentle there, Junko."
"Sorry about that." the Wallop apologized, his large pointed ears folding back in guilt. Carefully, he dabbed an alcohol-soaked cotton ball at one of the cuts on the redhead's arm. "If it helps, I don't think any of these will leave a scar."
"Good to hear, thanks." the Sky Knight smiled appreciatively.
"Aerrow, don't you think we could be doing something more useful rather than being the Council's lackeys?" Finn questioned.
"I know it's not ideal, Finn, but Piper has a point. Atmosia needs a Squadron before Cyclonia has a chance to attack. And it's an actual mission from the Sky Knight Council, this could be our chance to prove ourselves."
"What, and you kicking Carver's butt wasn't?" the blond scoffed, letting out a sigh soon after. "But if you think this is what we should do, might as well do it so good they've got no choice but to make us official."
"That's the spirit." Aerrow gave a small grin as Junko put bandages on his injuries. "We'll do a quick check to make sure we have everything we need before going to get reinforcements. I want us airborne in the next hour. Everyone, understand?"
"Sir, yes, sir!" the rest of the team responded in unison.
Raddar chirped, standing up straight and giving a salute. The young Sky Knight rubbed his head, making his tail wag.
While the others went off to get a rundown on the ship, Aerrow stayed at the table and thought about their current situation. So much had gone down in such a short amount of time. They came to Terra Atmosia to become an official Squadron, only to be met with ridicule and doubt. Now they were going to leave with an important task at hand.
Recalling what Finn said earlier, there was a chance the Sky Knight Council would change their minds if they completed this mission as best they could. Getting reinforcements sounded easy enough, but Carver's betrayal reminded him that anything you least expected could happen whenever and wherever.
Standing up, Aerrow walked out of the bridge with Raddar beside him. He hoped this mission would go off without a hitch. But a feeling in his gut refused to let him believe that would come true.
To continued...
Thank you all for reading, please share any thoughts you have in the comments. I look forward to seeing you for the next chapter!