Atmos; world of a thousand mountain top kingdoms each protected by a Sky Knight against the forces of Darkness – Beasts, Rogues, and worst of all…Cyclonians. In the start, Cyclonia and Atmosia were allies, working together; friends. That was until there was a falling out between the top member of the High Council and the Master Cyclonis of the time. The cause of such hostility? A crystal. Simple, blue. It gave light. Both parties wanted it, but truly Atmosia had the right to it, for it was found in their quadrant. That was when the war first began. The overpowering greed of mankind had won, turning both sides against each other. Cyclonia was wiped from the records of Atmosia, and the people cast out to live in poverty. The crystal in question still remains in the beacon tower on Terra Atmosia – the Aurora Stone, bringing light to the quadrant and fiercely guarded.
Over the years, Cyclonia built itself back up and prospered without the help of the rest of the Atmos. But the animosity between the two kingdoms also grew, so much to the point everybody forgot what the hatred was about. Eventually Cyclonia grew to such a population that they were able to start invading Atmosian associated Terras too weak to defend themselves. Slaves were taken, factories were built and another war was on the horizon – The war that would be remembered for the rest of time.
The greatest Sky Knight that ever was led the battle. Lightning Strike was his name. His Squadron were known as the Storm Hawks, the most skilled Squadron in all of Atmos. He was betrayed by his co-pilot, just a boy of thirteen at the time. That boy would go on to be known as the Dark Ace, the most skilled warrior that ever was. But Lightning Strike, he went into battle with a smile on his face, and fought valiantly, for he knew he had to go home to his son, Aerrow. He had made a promise that he would be home in time for dinner. But that promise was never fulfilled. The Sky Knights defeated, Cyclonia went on to raid numerous Terras, enslaving others.
For ten years the wrath of Cyclonia hit its surrounding communities – until a burgundy haired boy took up his father's legacy. He vowed that he would bring down the Cyclonian Empire, even if it meant killing Master Cyclonis.
Aerrow Strike, at just eighteen years of age had been a Sky Knight for four years. Leader of the new Storm Hawks, his squadron was well kept, quirky and fun, not to mention incredibly skilled in each of their set fields. On many different occasions he had had run-ins with Master Cyclonis herself. He knew from the first time he battled her that he loathed the pale-faced, violet-eyed beauty. She was too graceful for such an evil person, too beautiful. Looks had never appealed to Aerrow, if a person's heart was good, he could see himself loving them. His thoughts of Cyclonis on the other hand, although exceedingly beautiful on the outside, was nothing more than a bag of slimy hate on the inside.
Suddenly an urgent transmission came through startling the rest of the team through the silence.
"Storm Hawks, do you copy?"
Aerrow lifted the receiver from its cradle, and slipping into his Captain mode, replied, "This is Aerrow, Sky Knight of the Storm Hawks, we copy loud and clear. What's your status, over?"
"Sky Knight! This is Jaqueb of the High Council, you must set course for Terra Atmosia immediately."
"We're on our way, Jaqueb. Over and out."
Aerrow turned to Piper, who was studying a rather large map. Her toffee coloured skin glowed in the soft light and her midnight blue hair almost sparkled.
"Piper, set the quickest possible route back to Atmosia," Aerrow commanded.
"Sure thing Aerrow!" Piper's sweet voice rung out around the bridge of the Condor, sending chills up the spines of the men.
Piper truly was the best of the best when it came to navigation. Her limitless knowledge always seemed to stun everybody even though they knew how smart she was. Her amber eyes glittered as she winked at Aerrow before getting to work on setting course.
Aerrow stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out of the windshield of the Condor introspectively. What could the High Council want with him? It's not like them to call the Storm Hawks to Atmosia unless there is any kind of danger. Jaqueb didn't mention any danger, and now Aerrow's mind was in overdrive, trying to think of the reason why he was being summoned.
Meanwhile, across the sky, over the clouds, past the blue and into the vermillion; Cyclonia, a despairing place of sharp peaks, outposts, and the main Fortress that loomed despotically, unforgiving. In the Throne Room, perched upon the great stone chair, Master Cyclonis sat, silent, contemplating; her soft breathing the only sound breaking the ominous silence. Interrupting her reverie, none other than her right-hand man, Dark Ace, stood before her.
"Master Cyclonis, I have a message from Atmosia," he said.
Dark Ace bowed before her, reaching into his pocket to retrieve the message before handing it to his dear Master.
"Thank you, Dark Ace."
Master Cyclonis read over the message quickly, her mouth twisting as if she had just tasted something bitter – in fact it was rather bitter, the idea. How dare Jaqueb even request such a thing?
"Is there something you would like me to do, Master? You seem uneasy at whatever was written on that paper."
Master Cyclonis took a deep breath and rubbed her temples briefly.
"So the High Council would like me to call a ceasefire on my side? Do they think one such as myself would surrender without so much persuasion? How pathetic." She stood up and strode to Dark Ace's side. "Launch another wave of attacks over the far-west quadrant, closer to Atmosia this time."
"Yes Master Cyclonis," Dark Ace replied, bowing quickly before striding out of the Throne room to assemble a sky-raid division.
If Atmosia thought that Master Cyclonis was going to be the first to stop the attacks, they had another thing coming…
"Stork, set the Condor down here," Aerrow commanded, as they came in to land on Terra Atmosia. "Piper, you will come with me, Stork, you're in charge while we're away."
Aerrow takes a bag and hands it to Piper who slips it over her shoulder and places a few crystals and supplies in it. Once they have everything ready, the two of them disembark the Condor and make their way into the antechamber of the High Council. Their footfalls echo loudly on the white marble stone of the floor and they exchange nervous glances with each other.
"Why have they summoned me here? It can't be anything bad, could it?"
"I don't think so, Aerrow. You're the best, most honourable Sky Knight there is. Maybe they want to commend you for your valuable services to the Atmos?"
"I just have a weird feeling."
"Don't worry, Aerrow. It will be fine, whatever it is."
Finally Aerrow and Piper reach the chamber where the High Council occupy the long half-circle desk. Aerrow always thought that the height of it was a bit excessive, but never questioned it. Only three of the High Council members are in, and he addresses Jaqueb.
"High Lord, Jaqueb, Aerrow of the Storm Hawks at your service."
"Yes, let's save the formalities for another time. As you know this war raging between Cyclonia and the rest of the Atmos has since spun out of control. You are among the last of the Sky Knights, and more of our defensive troops fall every day. Master Cyclonis has recently attacked the west-end quadrant in reply to our request of a ceasefire."
"You should have known that asking her to stop nicely would only provoke her. Master Cyclonis is bent on taking over the Atmos and will stop for nothing," Aerrow almost yells, furious that this is what the High Council summoned him here for.
"Yes, no need to yell, Sky Knight. We have devised a plan…"
About an hour later Aerrow bursts through the doors onto the street, Piper almost running to keep up with his long strides.
"Aerrow, please calm down," she pleads, grasping him by the upper arm and forcing him to face her.
Enraged olive-green eyes glare into amber orbs, which seem to drink the anger out of him. "I'm sorry Piper, but it's completely nonsensical. If they think for one second it will work, then they have about as much brains as a rock."
"I know, the plan is completely outrageous, but what else can we do? The front-lines of the battle can only hold for about another ten days before there's no one left. How will you feel when the last soldier falls and you didn't try what you could? One little 'yes' and we'll have Cyclonis eating out of our hands."
"Piper…I… It's wrong."
"Aerrow, listen to me. You will go back in there and tell them to go ahead with the plan. Now," Piper scolded, her amber eyes burning into him seriously.
"Fine. Whatever it takes to end this war," Aerrow whispered, clenching his fists tightly by his sides. He simply could not believe he was agreeing to such a stupid thing. It probably won't even work anyway, he thought to himself sourly.
Stepping through to where Jaqueb and the other council members sit, Aerrow cleared his throat loudly.
"I have reconsidered your idea. Do it. I hope to the Atmos it works before there are any more casualties. Now if you will excuse me, I am going back to my cruiser to confer with my Squadron."
Aerrow took Piper by the forearm and pulled her out of the building and back to the Condor.
No one is ever going to go for this stupid plan, he thought angrily…
"Is everyone okay? Piper, where's Finn?"
"I'm here, I'm okay Aerrow," Finn hobbled in, replying before Piper had even opened her mouth.
A cut marked his right cheek, the top half of his uniform was ripped, revealing a slash mark on his torso which was bleeding mildly and his bottom lip was split, a trickle of blood decorating his chin. The wounds were not fatal, but Piper rushed over to examine him to make sure he was fine.
Everybody was growing more desperate by the day, it seemed as if every time a new Sky Knight Squadron was formed, another would fall. Neither side was winning. Although the tabloids would suggest that the Atmosian side was coming out victorious, the Sky Knights knew better and constant vigilance proved difficult with such low morales. The latest battle had seen the Storm Hawks just barely escape with their lives, and now they moored the Condor out of sight at a small unkown Terra. Piper was making the rounds to check if eveeryone was healthy and not hurt too bad, until Aerrow commanded that she relax and take a break for a while.
"Aerrow, what are we going to do?" Piper asked, sighing heavily.
With an almost silent groan, she put her face in her hands and repressed a sob that threatened to break out.
Clearing his throat, Aerrow placed a comforting hand on Piper's shoulder and sighed deeply.
"We have to stick it out; stay strong for the others. I know it's hard right now, but we will pull through. The Sky Knights will win this war and afterwards we can finally live our lives without fear."
"I wish I could believe you," Piper whispered.
She stood up and disappeared, leaving Aerrow sitting alone with a million thoughts racing around his head.
If that plan the High Council suggested actually worked, then what? What would become of the Sky Knight Aerrow?
"Dark Ace, I require your unit to go out to the front line of the battle to hold off any Atmosians that are trying to make it across. If you happen to find any...kill them," Master Cyclonis whispered menacingly.
"Yes, Master," Dark Ace replied with a hand fisted over his heart.
"Now leave me be. I have some important business to attend to."
With a final bow, Dark Ace strode out of the Throne Room and Master Cyclonis paced idly over to where a great portrait of her grandmother was hanging innocuously on the far wall, almost out of sight completely.
"Grandmother," she whispered quietly, reaching an arm up to run her lacquered nails over the canvas of the portrait. "Will I win this war? Or will my people suffer just as before it began? If only you were still here to guide me."
With a sigh and a heavy heart, Master Cyclonis hung her head and closed her eyes tightly. If anybody ever saw how vulnerable she felt when she was alone, they would take her for a laughing stock for sure. Growling frustratedly, she stomped back over to her throne, but instead of taking a seat, bypassed it completely to open a door behind it. In she went, to her crystal lab, the only place where she felt remotely sane in this time of death and destruction.
"If there was one thing I could do to stop this, make my people safe, I would do it," she whispered to herself quietly, picking up a few crystals and getting to work.