Thanks goes out to Unleash the Shadow for helping me edit this chapter!

Alright, here's the first chapter for you all, and I'm starting off this story with a Cyclonian chapter for a change... can you believe that? Anyways, this chapter starts out in the Dark Ace's POV, enjoy!

I do not own the Storm Hawks, they are the property of Nerd Corps.

Chapter 1

Pre-emptive Measures

As I walked down the halls of Cyclonia that would lead me to Master Cyclonis' throne room, I noticed the halls were devoid of life or sound, save for the clinking of my metal armour.

I wonder why Master Cyclonis summoned me... hopefully it's another chance to get rid of those Storm Hawk brats! Sure, I may have killed their pesky Sky Knight, but now that they have that renegade...

Rounding another corner of many, I was now standing in front of two massive wooden doors with firebolt crystals embedded in them.

Not needing permission to enter, or having to be announced, I pushed the doors open and strode up to the throne where Master Cyclonis stood.

Bowing my head and pressing my clenched fist to my chest I said, "Master."

Looking up, I saw Master Cyclonis give my actions a curt nod before she said simply, "I have a job for you Dark Ace, and it needs to be done right for once."

"Of course Master." I replied.

Smiling, Master Cyclonis continued in explaining herself, and my mission. "I need you to go to our outpost on Amazonia."

Why Amazonia? It's all of fifteen minutes away, why would I need to go there?

"Amazonia?" I asked, trying not to sound too displeased.

"Yes, Amazonia." Cyclonis looked at me for a moment before continuing, "I figured I wouldn't need to explain myself to you, but apparently, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions."

I just stood there unmoving, trying to push down the thoughts of resentment because my Master thought I was as incompetent as Snipe or a mere Talon.

"It has come to my attention that the outpost on Amazonia may have a purpose other than its original one in our plan to destroy the Storm Hawks."

I nodded respectfully as she continued to speak, "Because of its close proximity to Cyclonia, it would be a perfect place to train and house a relief garrison if for some reason the Sky Knights try to attack Cyclonia. I need you to go there and train the Talons already there, and the Talons that you will be taking with you, understand?"

I've never been fond of training others, but if its what the Master wants...

"I'd be honoured," I began before adding hesitantly, "but if I may ask, do you have any other reason of sending me to an otherwise uninhabited terra?"

"Possibly." Was the only response I received from Master Cyclonis.

Knowing that she wasn't going to be telling me anymore anytime soon, I gave another quick bow before I turned around and headed for the door.

Just before I was about to exit the throne room I heard Master Cyclonis call out, "If you're lucky, maybe the Storm Hawks will show up. If they do, you may kill them all except for Piper. I am still in need of her natural abilities with crystals."

Killing off the Storm Hawks?

Turning around for a brief moment before heading out the door I said simply, "It would be my pleasure, Master Cyclonis."

Master Cyclonis' POV

I found myself smiling as I walked down the many corridors and stairwells that all led further and further down into the depths of my palace.

Who knew that an outpost that I set up just to lure the Storm Hawks into my grasp could yet have a purpose? Besides obvious military advantages, that is.

It's now been a month or so since I've seen neither hide nor tail of those Storm Hawk, and I figure that if they're ever going to come out of hiding, they'll probably try to check out my new outpost again.

What better welcoming party than the Dark Ace and a few well trained Talons?

My smile soon faded though as I descended deep and deeper into the darkness of my palace, just as my thoughts were delving deeper and deeper.

The women who called herself a 'hallucination' looked a whole lot like the Amazonian Guardian that my father managed to capture before he died. I'm just wondering howexactly that works, considering no one should know what the Amazonian Guardian looks like because it is rumoured that she never left her terra, and because we eliminated all of the other Amazonians.

I don't believe for a moment that the hallucination I saw was the real Guardian, I have her locked up; it has to be an impersonator, although I'd love to know how they made their act so convincing.

I'm still stumped as to why anyone would remember who the Guardian is let alone what she looks like. This is quite intriguing indeed.

Also, it seemed very important to that hallucination that the annoying hooligan lived to see another day. Hopefully if this impersonator is so interested in the Storm Hawks' new friend, she'll stick around them.

So if the Storm Hawks attack Amazonia, this hallucination should be in tow... the Dark Ace had better not fail me this time.

Shaking off my thoughts, I realized that I had reached my destination.

I unlocked small door that didn't draw any suspicions from Talons, or any unwanted visitors. I definitely didn't need some do-gooder Sky Knight trying to free two of my most prized prisoners, and best kept secret.

Entering, I strode up to the bars that separated the jail cell from the rest of the small, secret room.

"So," I began as I searched the darkness of the cell for the two prisoners. "Have you reconsidered my offer?"

A pair of bright golden eyes suddenly appeared out of the darkness. The eyes belonged to a woman, about average height with black hair that melted into the shadows that were so prominent in this room.

Coming up to the bars and glaring at me she replied, "My answer is the same as it has been for the past 11 years! I have no desire to EVER serve under you or the Cyclonian Empire in general!"

Smiling at the woman before me I replied, "I suspected as much, but did you know you have a one person fan club?"

Enjoying the confused look on her face that she shared with the man with red eyes and blue hair that was supposedly her husband I said, "A few weeks ago, a person who had a striking resemblance to you showed up in my thrown room claiming to be a 'hallucination'. In fact, the resemblance between you and the impersonator was quite uncanny."

The woman's face turned from one of confusion to one that expressed her distrust, and that she believed I wasn't telling the truth.

Looking me in the eye she asked, "How can I have an impersonator who looks exactly like me if people haven't seen me in over ten years? The only people who may remember what I look like would be someone from my tribe, but obviously, that doesn't seem to be an option, does it?"

"No, it doesn't. So I'm wondering, who else would know?" I asked, looking between to two prisoners before me.

The two Amazonians seemed to share a thought at the exact same moment, and it showed on their faces. Their eyes went from denial, to surprise, to worry.

Smiling I asked, "Any ideas?"

For the first time during my 'visit' with these prisoners, the male said flatly, "No."

I looked between the two for a moment before I shrugged my shoulders and headed towards the door. Before I left though, I turned around and said, "Know this then, one day, and one day soon mind you, my question will no longer be a request. It will be an order. Because you see, whether you like it or not, I willhave the abilities of the Amazonia Guardian at my disposal."

Giving the stunned couple a malicious grin I added, "Whether or not you choose to serve myself and the Cyclonian Empire willingly is still to be seen."

Dun dun duh... Master Cyclonis and her evil plans again...

I actually don't have much to say about this chapter, except I hope you all know who the 'mysterious' prisoners from the original APAH are now if you hadn't figured it out prior to now...

Anyways! Sorry that this chapter is so short in comparison to the length you are all used to from APAH, but I planned out all of the chapters last night, and it looks like this whole story in general will be shorter than expected... Its a total of six chapters plus the prologue and epilogue...

Well, I hope you all enjoyed this new chapter and weren't disappointed or anything!

Crimson Fox4

PS. I'd just like to say to any of my readers who come from the land of the true north strong and free like I do...

HAPPY CANADA DAY!! :D