Dawn of a New Age

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

AN: First time posting from my new laptop. My old one died after 8 or 9 years. The battery hadn't held a charge in years and the graphics card was starting to go. I'm a person who really gets attached to technology and didn't want a new computer. I was the same with my phone too...

"I really need to get new clothes." Canada mumbled walking out of the laundry room with his freshly washed clothes in hand. Both outfits he had with him in his backpack were starting to become worn and tattered after about six months of constant wear. They had holes and were fading. He walked back into his room and set his clothes into his bed before changing into it. Only having two outfits made him have to do laundry quite often.

Matthew left his room to go to the hanger. He still had a few marks he wanted to buff out of his skimmer from their latest supply run. They had attacked a Cyclonian convoy in hopes of finding healing crystals, but found nothing they could use. They were currently hooked into the underside of a Terra to fix a few ticks in the Condor's engine. They were grounded for the next day or two.

"You got up early today." The Sky Knight commented looking up from his work as soon as he heard Matthew enter. Radarr gave a chirp as well. "It's not even lunch yet!"

"I'm a night owl, not an early bird." Canada said. "And things needed to get done. What did you have for breakfast this morning?"

"An ananab." Aerrow said begrudgingly. "I've got like what? A week left of this?"

"It hasn't been two months yet. You've still got over half a year left!" Matthew teased.

"Awww come on." The red head groaned starting back on his work. "I miss my sugar coated chocolate granola."

Matthew laughed a little and walked over to his skimmer to start his repairs. "Do you guys have any medical supplies on board?" He asked.

"Yeah, we've got the basic stuff like bandages, maybe some needles. Never really used them though. We don't know how to use them either." The Sky Knight shrugged. "Why?"

"Well, we've got no healing crystals left so it's a good idea to have this stuff on board just in case." Canada said.

"I guess so." Aerrow mumbled absentmindedly focusing on his skimmer. Radarr was beside him handing him tools. Matthew went back to his own repairs again and finished them quickly, it wasn't anything major. He stood up and wiped off his hands before helping Aerrow finish his. "What are we going to do today? Cleanings done, laundry and other chores are done; Piper and Stork don't need help so?"

"If you're trying to get me to fight on the wings again it will cost you another month of healthy breakfasts. No, actually a whole month of only healthy meals." Canada said putting a hand on his hip.

"Yeah, nah." The red head said scratching the back of his neck. "Maybe just normal sparring? Or we could go out on our skimmers."

"Probably not the best idea. The Condor is grounded so any unwanted attention could be bad." Canada said and the Sky Knight nodded in agreement. "Have you ever played Chinese chops sticks or tic-tac-toe?"

"What is that? I've never heard of either." Aerrow said rasing an eyebrow.

"Tic-tac-toe needs paper and something to write with so let's do Chinese chopsticks." Matthew said. "You play with your fingers, two on each hand to start. Then we take turns touching the others hand. What you're touched with adds onto what you already have and if it's over five, that hand dies. Five is okay, but six isn't. If you end up with only one hand you can use your turn to break up that number and revive your other hand. Got it?"

"Nope. Let's try this." The sky knight said. "Let's sit in the sun." He said walking out of the hanger and on to the run way. Matthew followed him out and sat down cross legged across from him. It started out with just the two of them, but soon Piper and Junko joined in. They got a hang of it quickly and started to make bets on who lost. They would have to do all of the chores.

"Where did you learn this game?" Junko asked after taking his turn.

"When I was younger my 'Dad' took me on one of his business trips to another country. He was busy a lot so I got left with my cousin for the most part. He taught me this game." Canada explained.

"Why do you always say Dad as 'Dad?'" Piper asked pointing out the stress on the word.

"Well, I don't call my dad, dad. I call him by his first name, Arthur." The nation explained. "We don't have the greatest relationship. He forgets me and I mostly avoid him. We're not related by blood anyways."

"How does he forget you?" Aerrow asked.

"Remember when I told you that Alfred was flying over to Arthur's house? That was because he had to convince Arthur that I actually exist. And to get him to look through his books." Canada said with a shrug.

"Does he have a memory problem or something?" Piper asked raising an eye brow.

"Not that I know of. If he does, then it had to be passed down to Alfred as well." Matthew said with a smile. Being forgotten or looked over didn't really bother him anymore. "He's not nearly as bad, but it still happens."

"That's terrible." Piper said.

"It doesn't bother me." The Canadian shrugged knocking Junko out of the game. He didn't split his hand when he had the chance. "Got away with a lot of stuff because people forgot me."

"Awww, come on." The wallop complained. His mood changed quickly. "I like this game. It's fun."

"It's definitely good a time killer." Aerrow said. "How is the engine upgrades going?"

"They're not really close to done. Stork called a break because he needed to read up on one part." Piper said. "I would have done the reading, but he insisted."

"I love and hate quite days." Aerrow said with a sigh. "It's good to have some down time, but it's weird that there is quiet like this in a war."

"Don't jinx it." Piper said.

"Where is Finn?" Canada asked splitting his hand again.

"He's still sleeping as far as I know. He still nursing that paper cut." Piper said. "I thought it would have healed by now. Your burns and cuts heal quickly." She said to the nation.

"Well I'm different." Canada said. He still hadn't found a good time to bring up that he was a nation. Matthew would have said something now, but not everyone was here and he didn't want to have to explain it more than once. "I still can't believe that you heal every little thing with those crystals."

"It's going to have to change now that we don't have any." Piper said with a sigh. She tapped Aerrow's hand and knocked him out of the game. "We're going to have to be a lot more careful now."

"Awww." Aerrow groaned. He lay back on his back on the deck. "This game is fun."

"I'm going to check on Stork." Piper said standing up. "You win by default." She said to Matthew with a smile.

"Let us know if you need any help!" Junko called after her. "Wanna play again?" He asked excitedly.

The trio played for a little while longer before Aerrow was distracted. "You hear that?"