Piper No Longer Chapter 1, the fall of Terra Ray Part 1: The Devil Rays

25th of June, Sunset, year 62 AC... a few hours after the ambush.

A sombre Aerrow, Radarr and Starling fly over Terra Ray's Horizon... very bright due to not only the Sun, but also the Glistening metal of Terra Ray's many buildings.

Aerrow cannot help but gasp in awe at the sight. The setting sun glistens over a terra with large walls, and dozens of tall, metallic buildings that shine brightly in the setting sun. "Whoa…" Aerrow says in utter awe. Starling smiles, and says "Welcome Aerrow, to the Cyclonian salvage capital of Atmos, Terra Ray".

"For Junk, it's really nice" Aerrow replies. Radarr chirps in agreement. "We should link up with the others, see how they're coping" Starling says. Aerrow nods, puts on his brave face, and pulls in, lands, and rides into town.

"This is Terra Ray ground control, unidentified aircraft, please state you're business"

"Ahem! Uh, this is Sky Knight Aerrow, and Radarr of The Storm Hawks, and Starling of The Interceptors, Request permission to land?"

"Permission accepted Aerrow and Starling, we've been expecting you, land in the Main Hangar, Kayce is waiting for you, enjoy your stay on Terra Ray"

They do as requested by Ground Control, and land at a very large Hangar, to find a Tallish red-haired girl decked out in Blue Armor walks up to them both. She's wearing Armor head to toe, tight fitting mesh with Metal plating on her shoulders, down her arms, heavy gauntlets, and plated gloves, greaves on her shins, a light breastplate enveloping her chest and abs, and armor plates on her thighs. Which are complimented by armored boots that must add at least half an inch to her height, all of it painted blue with black stripes.

Her long red hair is tied into a tight pony-tail, and she has tanned skin, and hazel eyes. On her belt is what looks to be a tightly wound whip with a large arrowhead at the end. In the centre of her chestplate is a large insignia, blue Devil horns with bat wings and a devil tail beneath both, encased in a blue-rimmed Circle with a Black backdrop. Said insignia is also painted on her left shoulder plate. Her right shoulder is covered by a slightly shredded, but still obviously ornate black cape with Green end lining, with what looks like an emblem sewn over with blue thread.

"Hello Aerrow, Starling, I am Kayce, Fellow Sky Knight and leader of the Devil Rays" she says in an accent similar to Starling's, yet a little lighter and deeper at the same time. She holds out her right hand with a warm smile. Aerrow cracks a small smile "Nice to meet you Kayce" he says as she shakes her hand, and Starling shakes her hand next "I've never heard of the Devil Rays before".

Kayce chuckles "Of course you haven't, I only passed the Sky Knight trials a few months ago, and the Devil Rays as a squadron are only a month old" she says. As Aerrow walks behind her, he thinks "You'd better have a good reason for that cape" as he stares at it for a second with narrowed eyes.

"Come on, I'll take you to our HQ, the rest of your squad is waiting for you there, and you'll get the opportunity to meet my squad as well" Kayce states. It's only a short walk to the Rays' Headquarters, and the building is obvious, a small Two story brick building in contrast to the shining metal houses and apartments surrounding it, and the Devil Rays' insignia, the same insignia as on Kayce's Armor.

Starling opens the door, and Junko immediately jumps Aerrow, hugging him as hard as he can. "Aerrow, I was so worried you didn't make it!"

Radarr raises his brow and looks at Junko, as if he's saying "What am I, Chopped liver?" "Oh sorry Radarr, good to have you back too man" Junko says with a warm smile. Stork rises from the chair he was sitting on and asks "Aerrow, where's Piper?" Aerrow goes deathly silent, and looks away, choking up a little.

Starling has to speak for him. "Junko, Stork, Piper's gone" "What do you mean gone?" Junko asks."She means she got shot down, right out of the sky in front of my eyes… Piper… she's dead" Aerrow finally says, wiping the tears from his eyes."N-no way…" "It's the truth Junko, Dark Ace slashed her right out of the sky, I saw her go down in flames" Aerrow says.

"She died… to save me…" Aerrow chokes out, hand against his eyes as he practically collapses in his seat. "Hey, where's Finn?" Aerrow asks. "Your Blonde friend? He's in our infirmary, he's pretty banged up, our Medic, Blake should still be with him now, down the hall, too the right is where you'll find them" Kayce says in reply, as Aerrow gets up and walks to said infirmary.

Aerrow gets a better look at Blake… he's a big guy, taller than Aerrow by at least six inches, with a build half-way between Aerrow and Junko, and is made even more imposing by his armor, with dark skin and green eyes. A large bulk plate running up half-way up his left arm up to his shoulder, a large chestplate, armored greaves on both legs and plates on his boots, and another plate on his right shoulder, not quite as prominent as the other, a helmet with a rimmed end, wrapped around goggles, and a headset.

Finally a large War Hammer and several spears is slung across his back. The insignia is quite prominent on his left shoulder plate, the same insignia as the one that was outside and on Kayce's Armor all of it painted blue with Black striping."How's he doing?" Aerrow asks, getting right to the point. "I managed to stop the bleeding and patch him up, but he was already passed out by the time he got here… I'd say he lost at least a quarter of the blood in his body" Blake states.

Aerrow nods and walks over to his best friend "Finn, what the hell happened out there?" he asks his unconscious form, as he starts to tear up again."In all honestly, your friend needs a Blood transfusion, but there were no blood matches among any of your teammates or mine, including myself" Blake says."I am, I personally got tested on Atmosia during my exam… I'm the only blood match you'll likely "sniff" find" Aerrow replies, smiling weakly even as tears continue to run down his face. "Do you have equipment you need for a transfusion?" Aerrow asks Blake.

"Certainly, we only have the best, we've been preparing for War with Cyclonia since the Battle of Ray" Blake replies. Aerrow smiles slightly "Great, get it then, I'm not going to lose any more friends today if I can help it". Blake nods in understanding, and rolls out a small blood transfusion machine and hooks Aerrow up to it.

A shorter girl with ghostly-pale skin, pink eyes, and short blonde hair in a crew cut wearing strange Armour… unlike Blake, her outfit Armor is quite ornate and sophisticated much like Kayce's walks into the med bay to meet Aerrow. She's wearing a Corset with overlapping metal plates, shining chrome greaves, gauntlets, neck guard, foot and ankle plates over her leather pants and boots, and finally a open royal blue long-coat with white fur trim overtop. She's also wearing a brown belt with two swords in scabbards on either side of her hips strapped on.

She smiles "Hello, can't believe I get Ta' meet de legendary Aerrow a' de Storm Hawks me'self names' Vika" she says in an accent even heavier than Kayce's that Aerrow can't help but find amusing. *

"Glad to me you Vika, I'm looking forward to working with you" Aerrow replies, wiping away his tears from his face again . "Same" she replies.

Meanwhile, in Cyclonia, Cyclonis Palace, House of the Royal Guards…

"So, how do you like it?"Dark Ace asks, loitering by Athena's new room. She opens the door and pulls on one of her brand new brass-tinted metal gloves, gleaming, and sharp as talons. "Absolutely exquisite" she says with a sparking smile. Other than the gloves, her new Armor consists of a dark green corset, with a shining steel breastplate and connecting neck brace, dark green skintight leather greaves with red tiger stripes running down the sides, and tan heeled combat boots.

She has two new sabers slung flat on her back just above her backside, and several throwing knives line her Belt. She has a pair of violet tiger stripe tattoos painted just below her eyes curving upward, ending halfway up the eye's sides. Her lips painted black with dark violet eye shadow.

Finally, the Cyclonian emblem is stamped into her breastplate, right in the middle of where her cleavage would be."If your done, Cyclonis wants to meet with us" Dark Ace says to her. "Of course Milord*, lead the way" she replies with an eager grin.

The Throne Room…

"Ah yes excellent I'm so glad to see you both" Cyclonis says too Dark Ace and Athena as they kneel at the steps leading to her throne. "Relax, and rise please, you can both speak freely" she says.

"I'm ready for any orders you give me" Athena replies. "Speaking of that, an attack is about to commence. The Storm Hawks are grievously wounded, if they aren't dead already" Cyclonis says to them both.

"You mean?" "Yes Dark Ace, it's finally time to assault Terra Ray" Cyclonis says to them both. "Are we actually ready for War though?" He asks. "Oh yes, we are. The Ragnarok has come off the line, and is ready for action. Finally all of Atmos will belong to Cyclonia!" She says with a smile. "What changed your mind?" DA asks her.

"A traitor with insider information is now there. She cannot be allowed to tell the Sky Knights anything. Her and the former inmates must not survive. If they do this whole effort could end up pointless. It's time to bring your daughter home Dark Ace" Cyclonis says.

"Understood" Dark Ace says with pure sadness in his voice. "Now go, and leave no Survivors, I will be watching" she says.

They leave the Palace, and prepare for war…

*Vika's accent is my attempt at scottish. Please tell me if I butchered it. Also, considering Dark Ace's high rank within Cyclonia, I thought him being addressed as "Milord" would be fitting.

Hey guys I thank you so much for your patience. Illness once again reared its ugly head on me. Thanks for sticking with me. There is plenty more to come.

Enjoy. Review if you want.

Peace out.