A/N: I'm an awful person and deserve to be zapped by Cyclonis. This chapter took soooo incredibly long O.O All I can say is that I'm sorry and I have just been busy and depressed and basically it's a miracle if I ever feel like writing. Plus I've just started university to do a degree in English literature and Creative writing so...I'm gonna be uber busy from now on. Anyway, sorry about this little short and rubbish chapter...seriously this is one of those long winded fanfics, I actually feel like burning any evidence of it. Anyway...enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own The Storm Hawks or any of the characters...well, except the ones I make up. Like the douche from last chapter and the guy in the pub in the chapter before that...

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Deceit-

The beeping of an alarm startled me, though I hadn't slept, and I rolled to face it, staring at the small digits as they flashed before my eyes. One pale hand reached out of it's own accord and pushed the stop button. It was barley six, yet I knew I must put my plan into action before the day left me behind. With a small groan, I sat up and stretched, glaring at the wall as though to blame it for my lack of sleep.

'I should hurry...'

With an exhausted frown, I gathered together my belongings and headed downstairs, almost apprehensive as I approached the bar. It was the same man as last night, meaning he had witnessed my assault on the drunken lout who'd hassled me.

"I'd like to pay for the night and leave." I announced, some part of me whispering to kill him and save the money.

My grandmother had been right when she had called me an 'evil little child'.

"Sure. One night and a water? That'll be 60 crystallus lov- uh, miss." He corrected himself at the slight narrowing of my eyes and I smiled sweetly up at him, handing over the payment.

It raised my spirits to know that, even now, people could still learn to fear me. Once I brought Ace back, it wouldn't be hard to regain my status as the most feared leader in the Atmos. The thought made me smile genuinely, and I left the hotel in relatively high spirits, striding through the streets towards the hotel I had heard the Storm Hawks were staying at. The town was quiet, almost silent apart from the clicking of my boots and chirps of early rising birds in the dim morning light. Glancing around, I finally had the chance to observe it without the interference of the common filth that crowded the market in packs.

The most noticeable feature was the mountain that loomed above the town like some ominous warning, as though it was a hunter watching it's prey. The town itself was nowhere near special or wealthy in any way, if it belonged to me I would probably have it demolished and mine for minerals here instead, leaving the townsfolk to fend for themselves. The streets were paved with old cobbles, cracked and irregular and catching the heels of my boots every few steps, much to my annoyance. The houses were tiny and clumped together in rather wobbly rows, thatched roofs giving the area a farm like quality.

I snapped myself from my observations and focused on the task at hand as I approached the hotel. A sudden bout of anxiety hit me, yet I refused to show it, maintaining my brisk pace and pushing the doors open the moment I reached them. To my dismay, the hotel was much more 'glamorous' than the one I'd stayed the night in, if glamorous could be used to describe anything in this town. It wasn't anywhere near the comfort I was used to, of course, but it was warm and lacked drunken morons. Both valid reasons to stay the night at a place like itself.

I growled under my breath in irritation and walked though the empty room, none of the hotel staff were around, just as I suspected. This town wasn't wealthy enough to pay for people to always be on watch, there was probably nobody around in the early hours of the morning. I smirked and made my way behind the desk, picking up the large book they used to record customer names from beneath the desk and flicking it open.

"So...where are you sky knight..."

I ran my finger down the page, scanning through the most recent names as I didn't know exactly when they'd arrived. After a short while, I found my target: 'Storm Hawks - three rooms - twin beds - complimentary breakfast'. Three rooms? I had almost expected them to share one room, seeing as they were practically inseparable. Quickly memorising the room number and floor, I slammed the book shut and shoved it back into it's place, not particularly caring if they realised someone had been looking through their things. What could they do to me anyway?

I marched towards the stairs with a skip in my step, taking the stairs two at an time and soon I was heading down the corridors of the third floor, counting the room numbers as I passed.

...312...313...314...

There: 315, 316 and 317. The three rooms the Storm Hawks were staying in. I took a moment to think about who would be best to knock on, although the book hadn't given any details on who was staying where, so it was still down to chance. I stopped pacing and chose number 316, no doubt the panicked shouts would alert the two surrounding rooms if it was anyone other than Aerrow or Piper.

Coughing into a clenched fist, I took a breath and knocked twice. Standing stiffly awaiting whoever was going to answer. From inside came muffled noises and a small thump as something hit the floor, I impatiently knocked again, not caring I had barely given them time to wake up. I didn't want to be drawn into an argument with a passing member of the hotel staff, who were probably starting to awaken by now, before they answered.

"Sorry, just a second!" Came the feminine voice and I grinned, Piper obviously.

"Take your time." I called back, wondering if she'd recognise my voice.

There was silence for a moment, in which I wondered if she was even going to answer. Then, a flurry of motion and the door flew open to reveal a wide eyed crystal mage. Hair askew and clothes hastily thrown on, she stared in horror and shock at me for a long moment.

"Cy-Cyclonis?!" She shrieked, covering her mouth in panic at her raised voice.

I smirked cruelly, folding my arms and regarding her coldly.

"I would like to make a proposition, may we talk?" Internally, I was grateful it was Piper, and it appeared she had the room to herself.

Even better. The girl and I had developed an unusual bond and for some reason, to some extent, she had once considered me a friend. Easy prey, in other words.

"U-uh I...um, s-sure." She managed, stepping aside to let me in and I raised an eyebrow, I was expecting more resistance.

"Good." I stepped into her room with a gracious, almost mocking, smile at my host, this would be easy.

"I see you've settled into this place quite nicely." I went on, eyes roaming the room with an air of disinterest, taking in a selection of possible weapons in case she attacked me and I dropped my crystals.

"Uh, what are you doing here? We haven't seen you since..." She trailed off and I sighed, typically she was trying to be sensitive.

"Since I tried to take over the Atmos and killed the Dark Ace." I waved my hand as though to brush the topic off, "Yes I remember. That's not important now though. I have more urgent matters to discuss with you. Such as getting home."

Piper gaped at me, eyes growing even wider at the words and I tried to hide my delighted smile. Why would I want to return yet? I was only just beginning my quest.

"You know how to get back to the Atmos?" She exclaimed, "But that's impossible, I've been researching it since we arrived! I was about to give up..."

She seemed sad and for a brief moment I think, somewhere deep down, I felt pity for the girl. Only for a moment, and the slight knowing smirk never slipped from my face as I watched her.

"Do you really think I would travel somewhere with no way of getting back in case something went wrong?" I sneered, "Of course I researched ways to return."

I was being completely honest at this point, I had researched ways to return other than the gate and had found a solution to my problems if I did need to, but I would rather leave the Storm Hawks behind when I made that journey. It would make taking over the Atmos so much easier without those pests.

"That's incredible!" She decided, squealing with joy before suddenly freezing, a note of suspicion in her voice when she continued, "So why are you telling me this?"

"Unfortunately, I need your...assistance." I forced out through gritted teeth, pushing my pride down, "The crystals I need are hidden away in two separate places, both incredibly dangerous and hard to get too. I also need to visit a tribe of creatures who hide in the mountains, and they generally don't take kindly to strangers."

"So you want our help, to get these crystals and return to the Atmos, with no guarantee that you'll even take us with you?" She frowned, crossing her arms in a stubborn manner.

"Well..." I paused and pretended to contemplate her question, "The crystals need to be activated by the tribe and the activation radius is quite wide, it will transport anyone with a symbol in the surrounding area. So if I show you the symbol you can mark it on the backs of your hands and as long as you're within a reasonable distance, you'll be dragged along. That way I can't get rid of you."

There was a long stretched out silence as she stared at me, inspecting my worn appearance and tired eyes as though judging if I truly was worth trusting. I simply glared back at her, trying to look less like a tired little girl and more like a Queen.

"Ok..." She finally mumbled, "I'll wake the others to talk about this, wait here please."

With that, she left the room. Leaving myself alone to grin at my triumph over the weak minded girl. Was she really not the least bit suspicious of my motives? Ever since I had became her 'friend' whilst in disguise she seemed less wary of me and more open minded, as though she really believed I could possibly be good. I guessed the real challenge would only begin when Aerrow, their 'glorious' leader walked through the door.

"Hmmm, I do love a challenge." I whispered, settling myself down comfortably in a chair and waiting.

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Hmmm, well I wrote this when I was tired and just really felt bad for not updating. There will probably be about fifty million typos because I never proof read but...it's done, she's moved one step forward (finally) and now, I can watch Buffy.

Until next time, Whitika ~