Chapter Three-
Cycloniss' eyes widened.
was surprised, pleasantly surprised, but she wanted to be sure really he wanted this; he was Aerrow, but changes her mind and decides to accept him.:
"I have to ask if-Very well. As a test you have to fight Ravess and Snipe. If you win, you will become a Talon at the same level as the Dark Ace." Cycloniss smiled. Whether she was honestly happy was something she was debating in her head.
Aerrow stood up and said "I will not fail you and I'll prove myself against your enemies and my former squadron for abandoning me; they shall know the real me and fall by my blades…" He says with a wicked smile, his voice slightly different now.
"Where can I go to get rid of this cursed emblem and uniform master? Also you can have the Striker crystal for your vault." Aerrow continued. Cycloniss smile grew to a grin at hearing Aerrow's vows.
"Why a rock, thank you Aerrow. As for your uniform…you there! Prepare a room in the Talon Wing!" The Cyclonians guarding the door ran off to do as they were commanded. Cycloniss blasted the lock on the bars, setting Aerrow free.
"I'll lead you to the Talon Wing myself and give you a tour of the Tower. Then Dark Ace will provide you with a uniform." Aerrow smiles and says:
"Of course Master Cyclonis."
the tour, Aerrow goes to the Armory after the tour and memorizes every passage in the castle. Aerrow is impressed by how well organized Cycloniss has the Tower and how in line her Cyclonians were. On the Condor it was always a struggle. He and Piper managed okay but Cycloniss was leagues better than Piper.
Dark Ace gives him a Talon uniform. It was a little big but Aerrow sat cross legged on his new bed, in his new room (which was better than his old room; it wasn't falling apart at all) and tailors it adding strips of the dark blue of his old uniform. He finishe's it off with his own twist of black finger less gloves and some firebolt crystals for his energy blades. He balls up the remnants of his old old uniform and tosses it out the window, erasing the Storm Hawks once again (a foreshadowing).
He presents himself after changing his hair color to jet black with crimson red highlights. His eyes are now red.:
"Master Cycloniss," Aerrow smiles as wicked as Cycloniss' smiles.
"Yes Aerrow-my…" Cycloniss floats to him, interest highly peaked, and around to see him from all sides. With her hands lightly on Aerrow's shoulders she says:
"It suits you." Aerrow Smirks At the look on his New Masters face And walks forward and says: "I'm ready for the tests Master. I would like to ask for new name, I was Thinking of Black Arrow As an anagram of my old Name what do you think?" He waits for an answer from his new master, eager to prove himself on the battlefield and show that the old merciful Aerrow was gone.
"I'm honored; two gifts in one day…careful you might spoil me…" She jokes seductively.
"And so you shall be, Black Arrow! A Cyclonian," Cycloniss taps his shoulders with her staff.
"In body," she then taps his head,
"Mind," and lastly his chest.
"and soul. Vow to fight to protect cyclonia, to protect my place, and your heart will belong to Cyclonia as Cyclonia's heart will belong to you."
"I do vow to protect Cyclonia, to protect your place as Empress and I vow that my heart belongs to Cyclonia and that of its Queen." As he adds the last part he worries about her reaction to his vow to her without letting it show on his face.
It didn't escape Cycloniss that Aerrow had given his heart to her. The Dark Ace was loyal and rarely failed her, but he did not pledge his heart to her as Aerrow did now even before being reborn as a Talon.
"Aerrow…my heart belongs to that of Cyclonia and it's people…and now you. Arise my friend; Ravess, Snipe!"
"But Master Cycloniss I beg you to reconsider!" Ravess protests childishly. Cycloniss growls.
"Uh! As you command your Empressiveness! (a play with words)" She and Snipe charge at Aerrow, planning to let him know he is unwanted and make sure he lost.
But Aerrow won and to their disgust he was now a Talon, ranking above them along with the Dark Ace. Aerrow Smirked as he pointed an energy blade at Snipe's throat.
"Yield Snipe, I win!" Aerrow rubbed in. Snipe shook in fear of Aerrow; he was no longer the impressionable boy and was easily as frightening as Cycloniss.
"Come now Aerrow," Cycloniss called and Aerrow went to his master. He bowed and asked:
"When can I fight my old Squadron and show them what happens when they fight the Cyclonian Empire?" As he said this he remembered he needed a new skimmer as his old one was still bore the Storm Hawks emblem so he had an idea.
"Master forgive me for interrupting but my old skimmer was the same one that my father used, perhaps Dark Ace would like it as a momento or perhaps to the museum of our empire's conquests?" He offered seriously. Cycloniss chuckled happily.
"Hrrgh…I want it." Cycloniss pressed.
"It's yours." Cycloniss laughs. Ravess and Snipe see the change in their master and exchange worried looks. Either she's crazier or-
"You are spoiling me rotten, my I have high hopes for you. Soon Aerrow, you will soon make your mark on 'Atmos'. You will lead your own squadron of Cyclonians and alongside Dark Ace you will clip the wings of the Sky Knights, paving the way to restoring the Cyclonian Empire to it's original glory!
The Sky Knight rebellion broke our nation and stole the pieces but Cyclonia WAS all of Atmos and will be once again as it has been from the beginning. Tch, ungrateful scoundrels…"
"I understand master. Really it's because I hate anything to do with the Storm Hawks now. I will help make your dream a reality Master Cyclonis and with your rule no one will have to suffer from the need of a dream and the Sky Knights. I will gladly kill not just for Cyclonia but for you alone Master Cyclonis. With permission may I be dismissed to turn in for the night?"
"Yes you-ergh!" Cycloniss suddenly raises her staff, creating a shield against an energy blast directed at her.
"What?!" She screams at the Cyclonian. Said Cyclonian rips off her googles and it's Piper bearing a furious expression.