Storm Hawks- Where your allegiances lie

Chapter 22 – Epilogue

Aerrow remained silent with his head bowed, as he stood before the Sky Knight Council.

"He's a hero!"

"You can't deny what he's done!"

"We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him!"

The cuts were healing slowly, bruises fading away, his muscles regaining strength with each day; he would be scarred forever, but nowhere near as scarred as in his heart.

"The fact remains the same: he killed."

The cries of protest continued, but still Aerrow said nothing. He stood silent and still, conserving strength, waiting.

Piper slammed her fist down.

"There must be something you can do!"

The Council fell silent at last. The angry shouts quietened and all eyes turned to Piper.

"The law must be upheld." The Council frowned and looks of frustration crossed each face. "Even we can't escape the law."

"But you can change it!" Piper argued. "You are the law! Surely there is something! You can't execute him!"

The other members of the Storm Hawks began their furious tirade again, and in no time the whole room was ablaze with shouts from all the other squadrons and civilians.

Piper's eyes flickered over to Aerrow where he stood in resolute silence. Her heart ached as she saw the internal pain behind his stony face. He would willingly pay the punishment for his crimes.

"What crimes?" She shouted, silencing the hall for a second time. "He's done nothing wrong. He fulfilled his duty as a Sky Knight: he rid Atmos of the two most dangerous people ever to live. That is no crime!"

"That's enough Piper."

Everyone turned at Aerrow's voice. He remained stood in his position, only lifting his head to look at the council.

"I broke the Sky Knight's code. I will pay the consequences. What would you have me do?"

Piper shivered and rubbed her arms as she stood on the old hill that hadn't been visited for over a decade. The sun was low in the sky, just breaking the horizon to reveal a bright new day. A revving sound behind her made Piper turn.

Aerrow walked with a slight limp, a bag slung across his back and leading a slender skimmer in bike form out of a concealed doorway. He propped it up on the stand and stored the bag in the holder before walking over to stand next to Piper and watch the sunrise. She didn't take her eyes off him.

"Is that...?"

Aerrow nodded to the sunrise. "My dad's skimmer. The one he flew on to get here from the far side. Far as I know, it's the only one that can. The Council want me to be the...The King is above the law, but my Dad was the King from the far side. I have to be a...there, before I can here."

Piper said nothing.

Aerrow gestured to the hidden door behind him.

"There's a lot of stuff in there. Guess you'd call some of them 'royal artefacts'."

"Only you can open the door. They'll be safe here until you come back for them."

Aerrow turned to face Piper and met her blazing eyes, tears pricking the corners, but not falling. He put a hand to her cheek.

"I have to go. I have to...see it, myself. I'm...I'm a King. Of here and of the far side. It's half of me."

"And here is the other half of you."

Aerrow smiled and brought up his other hand, caressing her delicate face with both hands. "I will come back. I promise."

"And I'll wait for you." Piper's voice was strong despite her sparkling eyes. She smiled and gazed deep into the emerald eyes she loved so much. "Be careful, wont you?"

Aerrow tilted his head and grinned at her. "Aren't I always?" He chuckled as she let out an un-willing giggle.

"What about the others? What about the Storm Hawks?"

"I'm not big on goodbyes."

His eyes smouldered. Gently, he leant forwards and kissed her.

Piper wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer as he wrapped his own arms around her waist. The sun rose as the long kiss broke and they remained wrapped in each other's arms. Aerrow leant his forehead against hers.

"Piper, I love you."

"And I love you."

Aerrow flew into the distance as Piper watched from the hilltop, waving, as the sun burst across the sky and lit up the free world of Atmos.

One year later

Piper pulled her jacket tighter as the wind buffeted the old hill. The sun was just rising over the horizon.

She waited, watching the sunrise, until the day was fully begun.

Then she turned away to start the walk back down the hill.

The faint sound of a skimmer reached her ears, and she turned back to the sun.

A skimmer landed a few feet in front of her. A man in a patched uniform stepped off and stood strong and tall. A gold crown rested on his spiky red hair.

Emerald green eyes glinted and white teeth flashed in a mischievous grin. Piper smiled. "Aerrow."

THE END

First story = Completed! Wow that's sad, and exciting =D

Thank you so much to all the dedicated readers who have given me lots of precious feedback and support, hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!

Keep on writing!

!~A4E~!