I do not own storm Hawks! This was originally part of a mini-series I plan to run about pranks that Finn helped designed after seeing episode 52, but then it morphed.
On with the Story!
Finn couldn't wait to see what happened at the assembly. All he needed for the prank to work was one of the cameras getting a shot of the Dark Ace's back with the 'Kick Me' sign attached to it.
It was the best prank ever, not because it was classical, but it meant that the Storm Hawks could get into a Cyclonian base and back out without getting caught!
The Storm Hawks crowded around the picture that Stork had rigged, as the show of Cyclonian might and prowess was being broadcasted.
They waited with baited breath- there it was! Right on his back!
They all started laughing, and could tell that the Cyclonian army was wondering what was so funny to the earlier terrified populace…then one of them giggled.
The Dark Ace whirled and glared at the assembly.
"What?"
The crowd laughed harder.
"Uh, sir, the Storm Hawks- well, they didn't sabotage the display, sir, they sabotaged you."
"What?" The Dark Ace hissed.
"You have a 'kick me' sign, sir."
The Dark Ace recoiled to stand straighter. The populace laughed harder. The Dark Ace faced a dilemma, and made a split- second decision.
Here's an explanation. If the Dark Ace turns around and walks (runs) away, the camera will follow him and show the 'kick me' sign to the entire Atmosian populace. If he stands there for the rest of the assembly, he will acknowledge defeat.
So the Dark Ace did what he considered rational- he removed the 'kick me' sign.
Removing his sword to his hip for easy reach, he removed the chest piece. Because of injuries, his shirt sleeves were actually separate from his t-shirt, which was hidden by the shoulder pads.
The Dark Ace grabbed the bottom edge of the incriminating shirt and pulled the offensive material over his head. He then stood there, shirtless; his toned muscles displayed for all of Atmosia to view while he pulled the lettering off.
Once that was done, he pulled the shirt back over his head, putting his left arm through the sleeve first, arms stretched upward, before the shirt came down. His right arm followed, and his back bowed slightly encouraging the shirt to slip back over scarred skin.
Adjusting the shirt so that it wouldn't bunch and wrinkle, the Dark Ace settled his armor back over his chest, and re-slung his sword across his back.
No one was laughing now.
"I do believe that we have an assembly to display." With that, the Dark Ace stalked off to his position beside Master Cyclonis.
Master Cyclonis muttered about 'exhibitionist right-hand men'.
On the Condor, Finn said, "Dude! My prank totally just backfired! The worst that could happen is the Dark Ace getting a fan club, and the Cyclonian rule becoming popular! I am so writing him a letter about ruining the classics!"
With that, Finn stormed off.
The Dark Ace wrote back to Finn '….kick me.'