Storm Hawks: Adventures Of the Other Side

Chapter 13

Still in their punk clothes, the squadron boarded the airship with no hassle as no one could recognize them besides Cyclonis. They had to make a move, and hiding around would only delay the inevitable. Stork was rendered ineffective for any plan, Junko carrying him around. They death of his ship - for the second time - took its toll. He was passed out. Probably better that way, quieter. 

"Okay, we are now taking command of this ship." Aerrow marched onto the bridge of the ship, Piper relieving the pilot of the wheel. His anger and resolve had taken over, they had no time to mourn over the Princess, he and his squadron have a job to do. That is the very least they can do. 

"What is this?" the captain shouted, his hands being tied by Junko. "This is what is called a Mutiny" he sneered. They had very little time for a brand new plan. She followed Aerrow's lead no matter what, even if it meant running straight into the face of danger. 

"Stork enough playing around, set course for the citadel." Aerrow gestured. Stork's eyes snapping open forcing him to attention and piloting the ship into full speed. Being wary of the location they had just left, not wanting to cause too much attention to their hasty escape. 

The ship slowly accelerated, Stork being cautious as to not be noticed, the Cyclonian crew now bound and kept in the corner and within sight. A few tense minutes passed before he gasped with relief.

"We're clear"

"Now, floor it to the citadel!" Aerrow bellowed, holding tightly to the bars that stood in the middle of the bridge, waiting for that moment to be thrown back with the boost. Soon everyone was almost thrown, quickly advancing to their destination. However, as the tension subdued, his feelings started to arise, causing his heart to lurch. 

*****

Skye, Radaar and Finn slowly opened their tightly shut eyes, looking around cautiously to see the expected debris that should have entrapped them. But to their delight, nothing had changed. Their gaze then continued onto the figure that stood tall in front of them. 

Astra stood tall, hands held high as if carrying the entire world on her shoulders, pushing back the impending explosions. The trio stood up to investigate her, she no longer glowed blue but more silver, her eyes completely replaced with pure white. 

"What do we do?" Finn looked at Skye, who's sight moved to the slowly dissipating smoke. The wave like barrier, holding everything back from harming the ship. 

"She's still concentrating," however, he started to notice the shaking in her arms and legs, extreme amounts of magic being drained from her seriously dampened her strength. The smoke was almost gone, and the glow started to dull, 3, 2, 1, and... her glow completely left her, leaving her to fall straight into his arms, huffing, puffing, sweating, shaking and frail. The barrier crumpling in front of them. 

"Aerrow and his team are vulnerable, I had to removed the spell..." she spoke slowly, taking every needed breath. Her entire body flexing into a small ball, still shaking. 

"Shhhh, you need to rest, you used a lot of your strength, he fixed her in a lying position as she tried to get up, holding her tight until she calmed down. 

"OK, so we need to go help them!" Finn stood up, Radaar rolled his eyes and made his way to the steering bars, preparing to fly. 

"Your monkey knows how to pilot this ship?" Skye raised at eyebrow at Finn.

"We have good reason to trust him to drive" he reflected back on their adventure in the Great Expanse. 

The shudder of the ship rippled throughout the ship before speed picked up towards the citadel. Skye looked down at his best friend, her now sound asleep, her breathing slowed to a more normal rate. Pushing the stray hairs from away her face, he started to notice grey, crack like marks crawling up her neck, looking like they're originating from her chest. He looked up in worry as he saw the light from the tower in the distance, hoping the fortifications are at least underway. They had now completely lost communications with the other teams. Improvisation will not have to go underway.