Dawn of a New Age

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Eight

"Cooled off?" Canada asked crossing his arms and looking up.

Aerrow sighed. "Yeah, mostly. I'm still a little bit annoyed." He mumbled hopping off the branch and landing in a crouch. He sat down cross-legged leaning against the tree. Matthew went over and sat down next to him.

"Piper told him what could happen to you and he changed his tune right away." The Canadian said.

"Really?" The Sky Knight asked in disbelief.

"You didn't think he would care?" Matthew raised an eyebrow. Aerrow pursed his lips and nodded. "Finn wanted to find you right away to apologize."

"Apologizing won't bring her back. I didn't think he would ever do something like that." The red head admitted. "There wasn't any remorse. Maybe it hasn't hit him yet, but still. He just severely injured and most likely killed a person."

"I highly doubt that she survived. Not unless Snipe had a healing crystal on him and used it right there." Canada said shaking his head. "I don't think Finn has really realized what he did. He thinks that what he did will help."

"I don't think killing anyone will help." Aerrow said with a sigh. "The code says that we don't attack with the intent to kill. It was how I was raised. I don't want to go against that."

"You don't have to." Matthew said looking up at the tree as the leaves blew.

"I know and I'm not going to." The Sky Knight said looking up at the tree branches. "Finn doesn't have to agree with me, but he does need to follow the law. He's like a brother; I don't want to see him get punished, but I won't be taking the fall for him."

Canada nodded knowing that Aerrow needed to vent. "You shouldn't have to."

"It's selfish, but I'm not going to be punished for something I didn't do." The Sky Knight sighed. "We might not even be 'coded.'" He did air quotes around coded. "We're not a registered squadron, so we don't technically fall under their laws, but we were assisting a registered squad."

"It's 50/50 then, eh?" The nation said and Aerrow nodded. "Hope for the best then."

"Not sure if it's better to not get in trouble or actually gets in trouble for it." The red head grumble. "Maybe if Finn got into a little bit of trouble then he won't do it again."

"I doubt that Finn's going to do that again." Canada shook his head. "I think the fact that his actions could affect you scared him."

"I hope so." Aerrow said pinching the bridge of his nose. He looked Matthew in the eyes. "You've killed people before, right? Why?"

"Yeah, I have." Canada said biting his lip and looking down. "I've never killed someone outside of a war or bad situation. Of course that doesn't justify my actions in any way, but if it was an enemy or my friend's life I would stop at nothing to save my friend."

"If there was no other way around it, then I might consider it. I'd still try to find another way." The red head said after a minute of silence. "I left Radarr behind. We should probably start heading back. It's almost dark." Aerrow said with a yawn. Matthew stood up and offered Aerrow a hand. The sky knight took it and Canada pulled him up. "Let's get out of here."

"Oh, I don't think so." Someone said from behind them. Aerrow and Matthew whipped around drawing their weapons. The Dark Ace stood with his sword drawn and a smirk on his face. Talons started to step out of the forest surrounding them. "Surrender and we won't hurt you too much." He growled.

"Really?" The pair asked in unison. Distaste and annoyance in their voices. Dark Ace shrugged and waved his hand for his talons to attack. A few of the talons stepped forward that were wielding staffs. Aerrow immediately jumped at one as Canada threw a knife at another. The nation lunged forward and grabbed the knife back from where it had lodged into the Cyclonians arm. The man had dropped his staff and scrambled back into the forest.

Matthew turned back around and blocked a staff with his dagger. He had just enough time to react. He grabbed the staff with his free hand and yanked it out of the Cyclonians. The Canadian threw it on the ground and took a swipe at the talon. His dagger cut through the man's shoulder armour and burned his skin. One of the other Cyclonians stepped into defend her comrade. The woman threw her staff in the ground and pulled a sword she had at her hip.

Dark Ace laughed seeing this. He still hadn't stepped into the fight yet. He ordered another talon into replace the other. He seemed to only be sending in one at a time to ware down the pair. The man had just ordered the next batch of talons into the battle. Canada blocked the woman's first attack and pushed the blade to the side. He used his free hand to fake a punch before bringing his elbow back. His elbow connected with the talons jaw and she was stunned for a second. Matthew took the opportunity and disarmed her before hooking a leg behind hers and pulling. She fell flat on her back and didn't make a move to get up.

Matthew saw a Cyclonian with a small knife creeping up behind an occupied Aerrow. He quickly took out a throwing knife and threw it at the man. It lodged into the back of his knee joint and he fell to the ground with a scream. The sky knight didn't even flinch at the noise and continued to fight the Talon he was busy with. He knocked his out and Dark Ace finally stepped into the fight.

Canada spun around hearing movement behind him. He threw up his dagger just in time to slow the talons sword. He wasn't fast enough to completely stop the swipe. The blade cut into his arm just below the nation's wrist that was holding the dagger. He grunted and fought through the pain to keep a hold of his knife. Matthew used his height advantage and pushed the talon back. He switched the dagger into his opposite hand letting his injured one rest and started to heal.

The Canadian readied for the talons next strike. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Aerrow and Dark Ace fighting. Matthew could tell that the Sky Knight was starting to ware down. The Cyclonian didn't attack. He started to side step and Canada matched his steps. They danced around for a while before the finally talon attacked. He went low and the nation jumped backwards out of the way. He kicked the man in the chest. The Cyclonian stumbled back and dropped his sword. Matthew grabbed the talon by the collar and threw him head first into a tree.

Canada took a second to assess the damage to his arm. The cut hadn't bled too much, but it was fairly deep. The edges were burned from the hot crystal blade. It was aching and every time he moved it shots of pain went up his arm. The nation winced and bit his lip.

Matthew didn't notice a talon creeping up on him until it was too late. The Cyclonian used his crystal staff to shoot a blast of hot energy at his back. The Canadian yelped feeling the bolt burn the skin on the back of his shoulder. He turned around to face his attacker and was tackled to the ground. His dagger flew from his hand and skidded across the forest floor.

AN: I always have to read the chapters before I post them. I forget what happens. This was written like a year ago now probably.