After escaping from Dark Ace and his Talons, Stork and Dove got as far away from Tera Gale as possible. When they got far enough from Terra Gale, Stork began leading Dove to Terra Neverlandis. When the approached Terra Neverlandis, Dove spoke to Stork. 

Dove: Where are we going? 

Stork said nothing as he guided Dove to Terra Neverlandis. The fort that once stood proud was in ruins. Stork then begins flying towards the Wastelands. Dove follows Stork as he guided Dove through the Wastelands. Eventually, they came across the ruins of the Condor. Dove had not seen the Condor in years. The last time she saw it was mere days before the Sky Knight Purge. To see the Condor in such a state of disrepair shocked Dove.

Dove: The Condor....

Stork: We'll be safe for the time being. 

Stork and Dove then enters the Condor. As they entered the Condor, Dove took a moment to process all that had just happened. As she took a seat, Stork offered her some water. 

Stork: Here. You must be thirsty. 

Dove accepted the cup and drank the water. As she finished drinking the water, Dove turned to face Stork who was putting away the weapons of the other Storm Hawks. 

Dove: What...what happened? 

Stork said nothing as he was asked that question. He looked upon the weapons of his fallen friends with sadness, regret and shame. Dove could tell that something terrible had happened. 

Stork: I shouldn't have dragged you into this. 

Dove: I made my choice, Stork. To tell you the truth, I had given up all hope that things would be better. After the Purge, things just...got worse. But when you arrived, it's...it's like that spark had returned. I don't regret standing up to those Cyclonian pigs. 

Stork: Because of me, the Dark Ace came to your home and burned it to the ground. 

Dove: My Grandpapa once told me that Terra Gale has weathered many storms. Homes can be rebuilt, Stork. 

As Dove said this, Stork fell silent. When he turned to face her, Stork saw visions of his fallen Storm Hawks comrades standing behind her. Stork's eyes widened as he backed away a couple of feet. When he blinked, the visions were gone. Dove looked behind her, confused at Stork's reaction. When she turned back, Dove could see the look on Stork's face. It was like he had seen a ghost. 

Stork: Whatever you see in my, you're wrong. I'm no Sky Knight. I never was. 

Dove: Then what was that back at Terra Gale? You saved my life, Stork! 

Stork: I made you into a fugitive. The Dark Ace will hunt you down for the rest of your life. 

Dove: Then why save me at all? 

Stork paused at Dove's words. He couldn't quite understand why he chose to intervene. By revealing himself to Dark Ace and helping Dove escaped, he made Dove a target for the Dark Ace to hunt which was in effect a death sentence. Despite this, Stork helped Dove anyway. After a moment of silence, the Merb sighed. 

Stork: Because...that's what they would have wanted. 

Dove took note of Stork's words. Despite being someone who clearly had given up hope, Stork continued to fight. It was clear to her that Stork had kept fighting the Cyclonians well after the Purge had killed most of the Sky Knights. The scars on his body was proof enough. 

Dove: So...what will you do now? 

Stork: I've got some contacts in Terra Atmosia who can help you disappear. After that....I don't know. 

Dove: I've heard rumors about a resistance force fighting against the Sky Knights. Maybe...maybe we can help them. 

Stork: There is no resistance, Dove. If there is, then they're slowly being wiped out by the Cyclonians. 

Dove: That...that can't be....

Stork: It's the truth. The Cyclonians relentlessly hunt down any Sky Knights who remain and crush any resistance without hesitation. It's a fool's errand, Dove. The Empire's army is infinite. You'll eventually be killed...or worse. And nothing will have changed. I only managed to survive this long because I'm a survivor whether I liked it or not. 

Dove: But....but wouldn't you rather fight for something than just surviving?! The people of Atmos....they need hope. They need you. 

Stork: What they needed were the Storm Hawks. Twice the Storm Hawks fought the Cyclonian Empire and they were killed both times. 

Stork paused as he took a deep breath. The battle he waged against the Cyclonian Empire was a long and arduous one with no hope for victory. As far as Stork was concerned, Stork would die fighting the Cyclonian Empire and nothing would have changed in the slightest. He was fighting a war not because he believed he could win, but because he felt that this is what his fallen comrades would have wanted. 

Stork: I...I owe you, Dove. Because of me, you're a fugitive. Like I said before, I have a contact in Terra Atmosia who can help you disappear and start over again. We'll rest here for the night as to avoid any Cyclonian patrols. It's...it's the least I can do.

With that, Stork and Dove slept in the remains of the Condor for the night. As they slept, Stork would be plagued by nightmares about the day he lost the Storm Hawks. But what Stork and Dove didn't know was that Terra Gale would not be the last time they would encounter agents of the Cyclonian Empire.