DISCLAIMER: I do not own Storm Hawks or anything associated with the show, this fanfic exists purely because I want it to, also, credit to the story's cover image goes to alienforceSH
Well here we are back with chapter 2, won't keep you long, just a couple things, first off, I use both Lark and Cyclonis in this chapter, Lark will be in reference to the younger version and Cyclonis will be in reference to the present day version. Second, the character model and personality that I used for the spirit of Days gone past is that of Lelouch from the Anime Code Geass (I just like the fit better). Last but not least, I don't want to hear any complaints about the Spirit's powers being "implausible", this story is after all set in a world where people live in the sky, has crystals that defy the laws of physics and creatures that are FAR from normal, with some of them even having some very funky powers of their own (coughs) Siren Song (cough). So yea, zip it, anyway
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Dear Readers all, welcome back to... An Atmosian Tale
Chapter 2: "I' am the Spirit of Days gone by," (Egocentric much?)
Cyclonis quickly closed the balcony windows before dumping the scrolls back onto her desk, then she took a moment to process what had just happened. She had just been visited by an unknown intruder who warned her against using her spell which she had just crafted to enact the perfect revenge on Piper and the Skyknights. She, of course, had thrown his claims back in his face and his response had been to simply tell her that she would receive more visitors throughout the day who would all attempt to convince her to destroy her spell. He had also mentioned that the consequences of not heeding their advice would result in less than ideal circumstances for her
Cyclonis gave a dry chuckle as she thought of the absurdity of all this
I mean really, beings that can just show up and do anything, know everything, like me crafting that spell, ridiculous!
There was no way for anyone to know about her spell, not even her own subordinates knew exactly what she'd been working on, just that it was important
There's a good chance I'm already asleep and this is just a dream, that's it, a dream, so I have nothing to worry about
"True, if this is a dream, but what if it's not, the mind boggles."
Cyclonis froze, and then began to turn slowly towards the voice that had spoken. Seated in the chair that the first mystery visitor had vacated just a few minutes ago was a second figure, but this person was very different. It was a teenage boy a couple years older than Cyclonis herself, he had dark hair that covered his forehead and partially covered his eyes, down the back it came down to where his neck met his shoulders. He had a wide intelligent brow and a pair of piercing blue eyes that seemed to stare straight through Cyclonis, he was rather lanky and his dark clothes with their orange/yellow trim resembled a uniform, very smart and trim, but it was unlike any uniform that Cyclonis was aware of
He gave Cyclonis a small smile, his expression both told Cyclonis of his supreme confidence and also spooked her a bit; she felt like a prey animal that has just sighted a predator. "Greetings, you must be Cyclonis, I've heard so much about you, you also make for an interesting read," he said, the last part included him holding up a small book, printed on the front was the Cyclonian emblem, but it was also joined by a collection of crystals that surrounded it
"W-who are you?" Cyclonis asked nervously
The smile grew, "I' am the Spirit of Days gone by, I preserve and record the past, it is me who ensures that it always be remembered so that its mistakes are never repeated," the boy replied
Wow, egocentric much? Cyclonis thought after that little self promotion
"Your one to talk miss majesty," the boy said, his smile becoming toothy
Cyclonis gaped at him, h-how did he know what I was thinking!?
"Let's just get this out of the way now ok, I know what everyone is thinking, because once it's been thought, it goes into my records as a past action. I know every action, choice, decision, conversation and thought that has ever occurred, so yea, view me as egocentric if you like, but I've more than earned bragging rights," the boy explained smiling as he did
Cyclonis continued to gape, then shook her head as she composed herself, "I suppose your here to tell me to get rid of the spell that I spent all of last night crafting!?"
"Why yes, I' am," the boy replied
"Well you can forget it, it's never going to happen no matter what you say," Cyclonis stated
"Is that a fact?" the boy asked, though his tone made the question sound way more threatening than it actually was
"Yes!" Cyclonis returned, "Now kindly leave me in peace, I would like to get some rest, I have a very important spell to cast and I need sleep to do it properly!"
The boy acted as though he hadn't heard her though, as he continued to sit in the chair while laying the book with the Cyclonia emblem on it on his lap, before opening it – Cyclonis could just make out a picture of herself on the first page – "Well if you won't listen to what I have to say, maybe showing will work better."
Before Cyclonis could utter a retort, the boy turned the first page, and it kept turning, page after page after page began flicking across from one cover to the other. As this happened, the room around them began to change, people and objects moved around the room at blinding speed, but it was the direction which really got Cyclonis's attention, they were all going backwards. Cyclonis quickly turned towards the window where the sun and moon were flashing across the sky, but in reverse
We're going back in time!
"Correct," answered the boy causing Cyclonis to flinch with annoyance, the fact that her thoughts weren't currently private was really bugging her. Eventually the pages began slowing down, as they did so did the events around them, until finally the boy placed a finger onto a settling page, and the room was filled with the sound of a baby crying
Cyclonis turned towards the bed, where her mother currently lay, exhausted after giving birth, that's right, this was my parents room before I became Master Cyclonis
"Indeed, this was the moment when you came into the world, an event which would affect the lives of many," the boy said as he came to stand next to Cyclonis as they watched the nurses carefully clean and swaddle the new born Cyclonis, before handing her to her father, Corvin Cyclonis
Corvin took his new born daughter to his wife, "Look Cecilia, look at our baby girl," he said allowing his wife to see her
Cecilia smiled at her baby as she mewled in her father's arms, "She's beautiful Corvin," she said as she gently raised a hand to little Cyclonis and stroked her brow
"What shall we call her?" Corvin asked, as he did, little Cyclonis got a little hand free and grabbed hold of a strand of her father's hair before pulling, "Ouch careful there little miss," he exclaimed
Cecilia giggled as Corvin awkwardly removed their child's hand from his hair, and then smiled at her, "She's as playful as a Lark..." Cecilia went silent for a moment as she went into deep thought, "Lark, yes, it's perfect, Lark Cyclonis."
A wry smile crossed Corvin's face, "If you like it, then Lark it is," he replied as the two of them began to dote on little Lark
Cyclonis turned towards the boy, "Why did you bring me here?" she asked, genuinely confused as to what this boy's game was, after all, how was showing Cyclonis her past supposed to stop her from using the spell
The boy continued to observe baby Lark and her parents, before speaking to Cyclonis without looking towards her, "In order to determine one's path and what one truly wants, it is important to understand where they have come from, and what they have been through." Now he turned to her as he continued, "It is important for you to remember how you became the person you are today, only then can you chart a path forward."
Cyclonis had no answer to that, and instead looked back towards her parents and herself, was I really that small? She then studied her parent's faces and felt tears brim in her eyes at what she saw there, they love me, and each other, and their unafraid to show that love. Cyclonis felt her heart ache at the scene, she realized, she missed this, being loved, she barely even remembered it, and there was a good reason why
"Time to leave," the boy said, book in hand once again, and before Cyclonis could tell him to wait, he'd turned the page again. They didn't go far this time, in fact if Cyclonis had to hazard a guess, they'd gone forward a couple of months, in that time, the scene had changed, whereas before the room had been the site of a joyous birth, now it was a place of misery and a dark cloud seemed to hang in the room. Cyclonis's mother was once again lying on the bed, in fact – if the accounts Cyclonis had been given were accurate – she hadn't left since giving birth to her
"How is she doctor?" came a man's voice, Cyclonis turned to see her father talking to a man in a white long sleeved shirt
The doctor turned towards Cyclonis's father and gave a sad shake of his head, "I'm very sorry your majesty, but the illness has spread too far in her weakened state, there's nothing more we can do... except make her comfortable," the doctor replied
Corvin's breath hitched as his eyes drifted to his bedridden wife - in the background the mewling of a baby could be heard – "Nothing!? You can't be serious, there has to be something we can do!?" Corvin exclaimed
Under normal circumstances the doctor would have been intimidated by Corvin, but in this instance, he was the medical professional and Corvin wasn't, "I'm sorry your highness, but we've tried everything, and your wife doesn't have the time or strength for an experimental procedure," he stated firmly
Corvin stared at the man blankly, then a look of fury overtook his face and he grabbed hold of the man by his lapels, "No, you find a way, find it NOW! I refuse to let her go like this!" Corvin shouted, causing little Lark to begin crying in her crib
When the doctor did not reply Corvin looked like he was about to throw a punch, but a gentle hand on his shoulder stayed his own, "That's enough Corvin, let the man be, he's done all he can," said Lark's grandmother, Corvin's mother and previous Master Cyclonis, Anarchis Cyclonis
Corvin stared at his mother incredulously, before a voice drifted over from the bed, "Corvin..."
Corvin released the doctor immediately and rushed to his wife's side taking her hands in his, the doctor meanwhile left after giving a small bow to Anarchis, who returned it with a tip of her head, before going over to Lark's crib and began rocking it gently causing her cries to slowly cease
"The doctor says you're going... to be just fine," Corvin said, even as tears began forming in his eyes
"Liar," Cecilia returned smiling, but also sad at the same time, then she continued, "Promise me something Corvin."
"Anything my love," Corvin replied
"Promise me you'll keep Lark safe, that you'll help her become a fine young woman, that you'll help her find happiness," Cecilia said as the tears began running down her cheeks
Corvin's own tears began falling as well, "We can do that together Cecilia, you and me, just as we've done everything since we met, you know that together we can do anything," he insisted, holding onto his wife's hands tightly
"Not this time my love, this adventure, the two of you will have to take without me..." Cecilia replied, trailing off as her eyes fluttered closed
"Cecilia, CECILIA!" Corvin cried desperately
Cecilia's eyes fluttered open again and she looked directly into Corvin's eyes, "I love you... both of you... I will always love you... no matter how far apart we are..." Cecilia's eyes drew shut again as her last breath left her body with her words and her head came to rest against the pillow beneath it
Cecilia! CECILIA NO! COME BACK, PLEASE! PLEASE COME BACK! CECILIAAAA!" Corvin's cry echoed around the room as did baby Lark's own cries, and Cyclonia mourned the loss of a great woman
Cyclonis collapsed to her knees, tears tracking down her cheeks, she'd been too young to remember any of this – she'd barely been two months old for Atmos sake – and while hearing and reading about it had stung, to actually see and hear it herself was almost more than she could bear. The Spirit of the Past stood beside her calmly watching the scene, "Is this some form of torture!?" Cyclonis growled, "Do you enjoy watching me suffer!?"
"On the contrary, I despise it," the boy replied
"Then why show it, why remember it!?" Cyclonis exclaimed
"Because, despite the pain the past holds, it is still important, and besides... it's not all painful," he explained as he brought that cursed book up again, before Cyclonis could stop him the pages were flying again and time began moving forward once more
This time they went years forward, occasionally they would stop and observe Cyclonis growing up, little princess Lark was a playful, joyful spirit who brought light and life back into Tower Cyclonia, particularly to her father, who still mourned the loss of his beloved Cecilia
"I'd forgotten all this, I had everything a little girl could ask for, a kind grandmother, a caring father... the only thing I was missing was a mother, but because of how soon she passed after I was born, it was never really an issue for me," Cyclonis said as she watched her younger self play, "For all intents and purposes I was happy, I had everything I'd ever wanted."
"Then what prompted the conquest of Atmos?" the spirit asked rhetorically
Cyclonis froze here, she knew the reason, it was her most painful memory, a memory she had forced herself to forget. She turned to the spirit, "Please no, not that, I don't want to have to live through that again!" she exclaimed
The spirit simply looked at her critically, "It's important, and the story must be finished." With that he turned the pages again, and on through time they travelled
When they stopped this time it was to see 5 year old Lark playing on the floor with her toys while Anarchis her grandmother sat attendant nearby. Cyclonis felt her knees grow weak, she knew what was coming, as she was forced to watch the events play out again, the memories came flooding back. "Please, I don't want to be here, please stop this, I've seen enough!" Cyclonis pleaded
"No, there is still more you must see," the spirit replied
Suddenly the door to the room opened and one of Cyclonia's generals marched in, helmet under one arm and his weathered uniform displaying that he'd just returned from the front. Conflict with Atmos had flared up again due to competition of resources, and Corvin had gone to lead Cyclonia's forces from the front, while Anarchis looked after Lark and managed things at home. The sudden appearance of a general took Lark and Anarchis by surprise, Anarchis stood up to greet the general while Lark knowing the appearance of a general meant that dad was coming home
"Is dad home, where is he, where is he?" Lark cried excitedly
"Calm down Lark... I'm sorry general we weren't expecting you, is my son with the rest of his war council..." Anarchis trailed off however as the general bowed, and stayed bowed
Anarchis looked up to the still open door, where she saw a number of other military officials waiting anxiously. Lark looked between them all confused, "Where's daddy grandma?" she asked in her sweet voice
The room was silent, then Anarchis spoke, her voice restrained and cautious, "General... where is my son?"
"Dead, your highness, he fell on the field of battle," the general replied in a voice that was close to breaking
"How?" Anarchis breathed
"His ship suffered catastrophic damage and fell into the wastelands, we searched for three days to try and locate him, but there was no trace, just wreckage as far as the eye could see..." the general trailed off, before continuing, "I' am deeply sorry your grace, if you wish to punish me for my failure to protect your son, I will gladly accept any punishment." The finality of the general's words left no doubt, Corvin was dead, Anarchis collapsed into the chair she had been sitting in and began to weep. Lark meanwhile looked back and forth between her grandmother and the general, not understanding, it wasn't until she saw a trio of lieutenants carrying a tattered Cyclonian flag – a flag that Lark knew had been on the bridge of her father's ship – that reality hit. Her father was gone, and he was never coming back
"STOP!" Cyclonis shouted, and things did stop, literally, time froze as the spirit turned to look at Cyclonis who collapsed to her knees again, tears streaming down her face
"You cannot run from your past, eventually it catches up with you, with all of us," the spirit responded, and proceeded to continue. They watched as Anarchis descended into despair, while Lark tried her best to cheer her up, to be the little ray of sunshine she always had been, that her father had always encouraged her to be
"Ah I see, so that is the reason," the spirit suddenly said
"What?" Cyclonis asked tearfully
"Nothing," the spirit replied
Anarchis's despair soon turned into anger and hate, she slowly became consumed with an uncontrollable need for revenge on those who had stolen her son from her, the Skyknights. Her rage led to a string of Cyclonian victories but it was not enough, the Skyknights began pushing back and Cyclonia faced defeat. Frustration gripped Anarchis, and her rage and anger grew as a result, so when Lark once again attempted to console her, Anarchis took it out on her. The next several years were filled with nothing but cold-hearted discipline and abuse. Year after year this went on, until finally Lark snapped
"No, you stupid girl, more force, more power, more ANGER!" Anarchis yelled
"I'm trying grandmother," Lark pleaded
"You're not trying hard enough, you're father would be ashamed at how weak you are, after all it's for him that we do this, to make the Skyknight's – no – ALL of Atmos pay for taking him from us!" Anarchis roared, "NOW TRY AGAIN!"
Lark attempted the crystal technique that she had been trying to do for the last 5 hours, without success according to her grandmother. She was halfway through the technique when her grandmother spoke, "Your posture is all wrong, the power needs to flow through you not be forced!" she snapped
Her words broke Lark's concentration and once again for the umpteenth time, the technique blew up in Lark's face. Lark collapsed to the ground hard after being blown back by the crystal explosion, the only reason she didn't suffer injury being the shielding crystal around her neck, a crystal her grandmother proceeded to snap off. "PATHETIC, USELESS, IDIOT!" she roared
"I'm sorry grandmother, please I'm trying really," Lark pleaded
But her grandmother was done listening and began to beat her, "When will you learn, you're the last hope for Cyclonia, are you going to let your people fall, would you let your father's death go un-avenged!?" she shouted
Lark curled up as her grandmother's blows came down with her harsh words, then Anarchis crossed a line, "I always believed you had your father's strength, now I see you're as weak as your mother was, wouldn't be surprised if you died in childbirth as well!" she shouted
Something snapped inside of Lark then, all her life, even through Anarchis's harsh lessons she had strived to be better, to always have a smile. Now though, her resolve finally cracked, if she wants power, I'll give her power!
Lark flung a hand towards her grandmother, setting off a blast of power which caused her grandmother to go flying back. The old woman collapsed to the ground, fetching up against the far wall, a number of Talons came running at the sound of the blast, what they saw haunts them to this day. Young sweet Lark was gone, in her place stood a dark and foreboding young woman, standing over her crippled grandmother. Then she spoke, in a voice that sent dark chills down the spines of everyone present, "You are the weak one, old hag, you are no longer fit to lead, and in my father's name I hereby strip you of your title... I' am the storm, the Cyclone... I' AM MASTER CYCLONIS!"
Anarchis watched as the Talons present dropped to one knee, then the reality of what she had just done hit her full force, "W-what have I done..." she began coughing up blood, "Oh Corvin... I'm so sorry... so-" her words were cut off however as the light in her eyes died
Only then did Lark snap out of it, "Grandmother?" Lark asked, concern filling her voice, then she saw the dribble of blood coming from Anarchis's mouth and the dead eye's look, "Grandmother NO!" Lark screamed falling to her grandmother's side, she looked to the Talons, "Don't just stand there get help!" she cried, even as she held her grandmother's dead body in her arms
Time froze again as the spirit stood over the weeping Lark as she held her grandmother, across from him knelt Cyclonis, only 2 years older than her younger self at this point. Long enough for the two sides to mix and fester, but thanks to what happened on Terra Tundras, they've begun to draw apart
"She turned you into a weapon, a force of destruction, and it backfired on her, causing even more grief for you, and in that grief you lost yourself, retreating ever inward, your grandmother's harsh lessons the only thing keeping you going, it was one of the only things you had left of her," the spirit said
"No, she was just trying to get justice for father, that was all she wanted," Cyclonis replied
"And now you try to justify both her actions and yours," the spirit countered
"You're wrong!" Cyclonis shouted standing up, fists clenched, her eyes blazing
"I'm never wrong... and to prove it," he swiped his hand as his spoke, and they were transported to several weeks later in the throne room, Lark's coronation
The whole place was packed with loyal Cyclonians, and seated on the throne was Lark – no – not Lark; this was the moment in which she became Cyclonis. Cyclonis watched as the Staff of Cyclonia was presented to her, which she proceeded to activate, creating a storm of lightning across the ceiling. "All hail Master Cyclonis!" one of the generals intoned, and it was taken up by everyone in the throne room, Cyclonis stared at herself as the chant filled the room, and saw the darkness in her own eyes, the same hate and anger that had filled her grandmother's eyes. Cyclonis gripped her head and screamed
That's a wrap folks, please leave a review if you like the story and as always constructive criticism is welcome, see you all next time ; )