MM: Okay… I know I said I would do the Repo! one first, but frankly, I'm just too lazy to look up the lyrics right now so here's SIB. Please remember to review. (It's just clicking a button and typing one line… I mean, seriously…) ^_^

Chapter 1: Seed

"Finally," Master Cyclonis said with a smile. "It's complete." Cyclonis stood alone in her dark chamber, holding two square crystals in her hands. They both glowed a faint green light. One was slightly smaller than the other, and it had a hole drilled through it.

"Dark Ace," Master Cyclonis called. Her loyal servant loomed from the shadows. "It's time to test my latest creation." She handed the larger crystal to the Dark Ace, who attached it to the hilt of his sword. Instantly, the metal blades glowed fiercely with the same green energy as the crystals.

"What about the other one?" The Dark Ace asked, indicating the smaller crystal.

"That can wait till after the first part of my plan. You know what to do?"

The Dark Ace smiled at Cyclonis' question. "Yes, Master."

Cyclonis smiled back. "Then go do it."

***

Finn was fluffing his bed pillows. It was one hour into the afternoon, and just the right time for a mid day nap. Nothing like laying back and doing nothing. Finn threw himself onto his bed and grabbed his headphones. He set the volume to quiet, and then settled down for what promised to be a relaxing afternoon.

The Condor gave a huge lurch and Finn fell out of bed, flat on his face. His door flew open, and Aerrow stood in the threshold.

"Finn! Get to the cannons. Cyclonians!" Aerrow ran off to alert the rest of his team, while Finn groaned.

"Uhhhuuhuh! Why does this always happen whenever I just sit down?" Grumpily, he headed for the blasters.

"What's happened, Aerrow?" Piper asked as she ran to the Sky Knight's side. Aerrow was standing beside Stork, watching the fighting from the bridge.

"There's almost half a fleet out there. Most of them have fallen back, but there's still a small resistance gathered around their main leader." Aerrow gestured to the battle as he spoke.

"Let me guess," said Piper sarcastically. "The Dark Ace?"

Aerrow nodded. "I want you and Finn to come with me on the skimmers. Junko and Stork can handle most of it from here."

"Right," Piper agreed.

As the three sky rides flew across the air to meet the Cyclonians in battle, the Dark Ace laughed and called across the sky. "I wondered when you were going to come out and play!"

Aerrow frowned. "Piper! Finn! Cover me!" Aerrow's friends flew off as Aerrow headed straight for the Dark Ace. The Cyclonian dodged Aerrow's advance and swerved around to face his opponent. Aerrow charged again, but this time, fired a bolt of crystal energy as he passed. The Dark Ace countered, but it missed the mark. The fighting continued with neither Aerrow nor the Dark Ace gaining an advantage. However, the rest of the Storm Hawks were performing well against the Talons, and this fact came to both Aerrow and his enemy.

"Face it," Aerrow called to the Dark Ace as more Talons fell into retreat. "You're beat! Give up!"

"That may be true, Aerrow," the Dark Ace said, a smirk still crawling along his mouth. "But the thing you must remember is that…" The Dark Ace suddenly sent a bolt of green crystal energy at Aerrow. The Sky Knight was caught off guard and received the blow. He gasped, but quickly recovered. Aerrow looked at the Dark Ace with a scowl. The Cyclonian gave a final mock smile and then flew away with the rest of the Talons.

"Aerrow!" Piper called, as she and Finn flew back to his side. "I saw the Dark Ace hit you. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Aerrow said as Radarr climbed onto his shoulder.

"I've never seen a crystal like that before. It's weird…"

Aerrow and Finn exchanged a look behind Piper's back. She was starting to get that paranoid worried tone in her voice again.

"Seriously, I'm okay, Piper. It was probably just some charged-up striker crystal or something."

Piper smiled. "Alright. If you're sure you're fine." The three of them flew back to the Condor.

***

"Did you succeed?" The sun was setting as Master Cyclonis asked the Dark Ace about his mission.

"Yes, Master," The Dark Ace said with a smile. "Excuse the pun, but Aerrow didn't even know what hit him."

"Perfect. In that case, we can finally see what kind of damage this can do." Master Cyclonis held the small green crystal in her hand. There was a chain laced carefully through the hole that was drilled into the crystal. Master Cyclonis approached her faithful servant with the bizarre necklace. The Dark Ace took it and carefully placed it around his neck. "Soon, Aerrow will be completely destroyed…" Master Cyclonis said with a grin. "…which will leave the rest of the Storm Hawks open for destruction."

MM: Let me know what you think! There's actually a good chance that I'll finish this one because I already have the ending planned. ^_^