Because the IDEA will not die, so I can't work on my other fanfics!

I do not own Storm Hawks!

On with the Story!

"Back up here a minute. Cyclonia wants a peace treaty? For the next week or until the issue is resolved? Why?" Piper's voice cut across the Throne Room.

The day had been a very strange one. Everyone was trying to remember when they had last seen Finn, when the Cyclonians came out of nowhere and escorted them into Cyclonia, citing that their presence was urgently required.

When the Storm Hawks were herded into what appeared a television set in the middle of the Throne Room, they figured to stick around and get some questions answered. They all made a point to be standing, rather than sit in the chairs provided. They did make sure to rearrange the furniture so that the table was between them and when anyone else appeared.

Then Master Cyclonis entered with her top three strong arms, and listed that in dire emergencies, the Sky Knights were required to aid said Terra.

The broadcasted message began as soon as Dark Ace, Raves, and Snipe had entered the room where the Storm Hawks were. Back to the present time, where Piper got the first question out, as Master Cyclonis seemed to be in a bit of a...rush.

"We all know the stories, Piper. Of a world beyond the Expanse. We think that Finn may be one of those from the other side." Master Cyclonis indicated said world with a wave of her hand.

"Okay, before we actually believe you, I want some questions answered." Aerrow cut into Master Cyclonis' explanation. He was slightly irritated that when his squadron had been looking for Finn, the Cyclonians knew what was going on.

Dark Ace straightened up, but Master Cyclonis motioned for him to be still.

"Okay, here goes. How do we know that you didn't capture him, and how do you even suggest to support this claim, and lastly, can you please spell what you're calling Finn? I get the feeling that I heard it somewhere before."

"The last one's the easiest. He might be a Sylph. S-y-l-p-h. It means to us that he is not human, and is instead an actual air spirit."

"Your reasons?" Stork interrupted.

"He's fair. How many times does he 'sun bathe' but comes inside still the same color? Is he always loyal to you? Does he follow your morals but never seem to have any of his own? Do the words 'flighty' and 'free-spirited' describe him? Does he disappear on the Condor but the Skimmer is still there? Does he always seem to be just that shade off of a different color from everyone else you see like him? I can go on and on about little bits and pieces that eventually lead to Finn not being human. But I can make this easier for everyone."

Master Cyclonis inhaled deeply.

"We have been invaded by an entirely different country. Their flyers are completely different from our Skimmers, and they are the ones who kidnapped Finn. I have the recordings from Raves of what happened. You will find that they are not tampered with, nor forged. Take as long as you want. This is becoming less of you believing what Finn is and my hiring you to retrieve him."

"What? Finn is family; of course we're gonna save him." Junko butted into her statement.

"Actually, there are old records of a creature most likely the Sylph themselves recorded in Atmosia history. If Finn is a Sylph, than he is an endangered species, and must be protected. He very well can't be protected by a group of children." Dark Ace hissed, approaching the Storm Hawks. He stopped short of them. Actually, he stopped short of the table, put there for just that reason.

"Of course, there are other records saying that a Sylph can be bound to serve a master, in which regardless of who earns him, Master Cyclonis is prepared to decree that no harm should come to him. For you must understand, that even under orders from the master, a Sylph is unable to kill a human." Dark Ace proceeded to stroll in front of them.

"Once you realize that Finn needs your help, I am to go with you."

"ACH!" The general proclamation from all of the Storm Hawks was to be expected.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's first see that you aren't getting us all into an elaborate trap." Piper soothed the ruffled feathers from Dark Aces' last statement and proceeded to view the tapes.

Four hours later, the team closed the last book from Master Cyclonis' library and agreed that while Finn may be Finn or be a Sylph, he was most certainly kidnapped. The rest of Atmosia, not that the Storm hawks knew at the moment, agreed with them.

"Okay, another question. Why send Dark Ace with us?" Master Cyclonis refrained from sighing. But the Merb did have a valid point.

"Because he is the best that I can spare. As you will remember when we entered the third hour of our debate, most of the Cyclonian fleet was away at the time of the attack. That is the only reason why we can still defend ourselves. I am staying here, to make sure things don't get out of hand. I am willing," Master Cyclonis stood up "upon the safe return and verification of a full-bloodied Sylph to relinquish certain territories from the rule of Cyclonia. The ones near the border, of course. If he isn't a Sylph, then I have wasted my time, and will release only half of the aforementioned territory."

Master Cyclonis walked over to them.

"Do you realize how important the existence of a near demi-god is to Cyclonia for me to offer this? How many other countries there could be out there, and if we are under his protection, all of Atmosia and Cyclonia could be saved from further attacks? We would be left to squabble in peace, if you will."

Master Cyclonis walked back to her throne and sat done.

"The other reason I am sending Dark Ace with you is because he already knows the inside of the Condor, and is no great threat to you. I ordered him to play nice. Not that he won't hit back, just that he won't hit back harder. And you already know," Master Cyclonis raised her voice over Aerrow's "why I am not sending my own fleet after him. They dragged him past the Siren, and the only crew to make it past her was the Storm Hawks. You may refuel and stock the Condor, but I want you after the Sylph by sundown."

"How can you tell when sundown is when the sky is red?"

"Aerrow!" Piper's scandalized hiss expressed her surprise at Master Cyclonis' donation, and her shock at Aerrow's rudeness. Then again, they were being ordered to find their marksman, that said marksman may be taken from them if they saved him, and that mortal enemy number two was to be their new mate for a brief amount of time.

Oh, and that said new mate was allowed to bite.

"Just asking."

Dark Ace leaned over to Aerrow and said "I will be on the Condor in two hours, and we will be leaving."

"Alright, Storm Hawks, move out." Completely ignoring Dark Ace, the Storm Hawks moved out.

"Oh, and Dark Ace? We will be leaving in an hour and a half since the Condor doesn't need repairs this time."

Aerrow ducked out the Throne Room and caught up to the rest of the team, smirking at how he got the last word in at Dark Ace.

Dark Ace was ready to go in twenty minutes. The Condor was stocked in the next hour, checklists run off by Piper and Stork, Radar on board, the Condor left Cyclonia gunning for the great Expanse.

A/N: I probably should have put this at the top, but the reason this is marked as a Fin& Dark Ace is because I am exploring their inter-dependent reactions. Finn to no longer being human, and Dark Ace to being a (virtual) prisoner of those he torments. I plan for the Storm Hawks to take the high road after expressing their clear displeasure/disdain for him and see how the infamous Dark Ace handles living in a contained space with five teenagers.

Who said the Cyclonians were the real evil?