A/N; Greetings once again readers and merry festivities. As a new year is brought upon our world, as is a continuation of your favourite story Reaction. You only have yourselves to blame/thanks for these two villains having to endure more of my writing as over the months I received private messages and subscriptions and even a review here and there and so my new years resolution was to grant you all a late Christmas present and announce that Reaction has been resurrected. Enjoy my readers and thank you for all the amazing support this story has received since its creation, only 9 chapters and over 100 reviews...love you guys so much...now without further delay, let us resume the tale.
With a silent sigh the Talon Commander began making his way down the decrepit halls of Cyclonia which had lost their fearsome appeal as soldiers lazed about under Cyclonis' new and more relaxed rule. As he was about to criticize their apathetic behaviour, he found himself swept up in the peaceful buzz that swirled around the kingdom...it is almost eerie to think how attuned she is with her Terra. However it could not be allowed to manifest itself as normality, for if it did-her empire would crumble. With the intentions to see his Master, Dark Ace was instead impeded by a cheesy grin that belonged to one of Cyclonis' mindless officers.
"Hey! Here is, the man of the hour" He called out, the surrounding Talons cheering their supportive attitude onto Snipe's statement. Blood drained from the Champion Of Cyclonia's face, this was not something he had not anticipated and that alone deeply concerned the Talon Commander. Nevertheless, he needed to find out what the Empire knew of his relations with the Empress.
"What are you doing? Why are you not carrying out your duties for the day? The query was mustered with his usual voice of command but it fell on deaf ears as not even a single Talon flinched at his words.
"Hey there's no rush, Cyclonis has had an attitude makeover, she is way more lenient now, no doubt thanks to you I've gathered" The brute's words were revoltingly smug.
...
It was now made painfully obvious that even the most dim-witted Cyclonian was aware of his relationship with the Empress, which both complicated and compromised his position further. Already his feared reputation among his peers was slipping right through his hands and it had to stop.
"Allow me to fast forward this situation, I am going to threaten you to return to your posts and you will then foolishly question those orders which will result in your unfortunate deaths, so for everyone's sake...get back to work" Like a blade cutting through fog, his lethal words pierced through the laid back mood that had infected the Kingdom and the soldiers jumped to attention, all sets of eyes cringing at Dark Ace's deadly gaze.
"You got it boss, right away! They chanted before running off out of sight.
"Damn Ace you need to lighten up, to think me and the boys were organizing a get together for you down in the mess hall.
"I accept your invitation"
"Huh? Really? Alright then! See you there Ace, I hope you still remember how to down your liquor"
"I'll be fine Snipe, now return to your posts and I will join you and the men tonight"
"Roger"
With the information gathered he made his way to the Throne room with more paranoia swimming in his skull. He passed by soldier after soldier lazing about, slacking off on their duties and not paying attention to anything but the back of their eye lids. A shake of his head and an increase in pace as he saw the root of all problems in his head.
For a decade he had been the key to Cyclonia's conquest, the Empire's control over Terra's and resources had doubled within the first 2 years of his career and only time has brought finesse to his battle tactics and combat prowess. When Cyclonis took control of the Empire, the campaign for Atmos altered its course. Military founding was cut back to finance research projects and various crystal science developments. Naturally this technology brought ease to maintaining control over territory as well as the future outcomes of having such advancements only made for a more comfortable global rule for Cyclonis yet at the same time it gave the enemy a chance to get off the defensive and regroup the efforts, something no individual alone could counter and this is what merited the difficulty this war had. If Talons began to lose respect for their leader, then defeat would be inevitable from the ensuing decline of morale and costly rebellions within Cyclonia...Dark Ace couldn't allow this to happen to her, it was against everything they had both fought so hard to accomplish and it was because of his relationship with the Empress.
"For so long I have been the one she has turned to when everyone else failed and abandoned her...to be the cataclysm of her political downfall is unbearable to me, both as her most trusted knight and her lover, something has to be done"
The doors slid ajar and he walked into the Throne room.
"Master Cyclonis"
"Guards, leave us"
'Damn it...privacy with her will not do my will any favours' He thought, watching the guards pass him as they left.
"I received a gift from you today Ace, I must say I am truly impressed...thank you" She beamed, leaning against the frame of her machine while she talked, a smile elating her face.
The Champion Of Cyclonia was composed on the outside but his inner consciousness remained stunned 'thank you' the phrase repeatedly echoed in his mind, it was not a phrase he had heard her speak before, not to her parents, not to him and not to any Talon he knew. As positive as it was in hindsight, the theory of her persona change had only gained more evidence and it couldn't be allowed to grow. For the entire meeting so far he tried to keep his gaze averted, looking at her face for even more than a few seconds would only make condemning her actions all the more difficult and his strength to do such an act was already diminishing.
"Master Cyclonis I...have noticed that the soldiers have been negatively affected by your... carefree mood"
"Is that so? She queried, her voice drawing nearer as she approached him. Dark Ace subtlety closed his eyes to avoid witnessing her reaction to criticism, from memory it never...ever went well.
"Correct, perhaps you have some ideas on how to prevent this, a shift such in regime may be detrimental to your control over the Empire" Neutrality reeked in his tone, treading carefully around this subject, he knew that he was the only one immune to her wrath but from what he had seen been done to other soldiers, he still had caution about him when reporting ill news.
"And what about you? The shift in focal point caught him off gaurd, this was the one question he wasn't sure how to answer, he stalled swiftly.
"What about me?
"Something is troubling you, I can sense it...tell me what's wrong" Quickly shadowing his thoughts, crucifying himself for failing to remember their current attunement gave her glimpses into his head.
"It's...nothing, I guess I just have alot on my mind"
Often the truth is the greatest deception.
"Are you...planning to leave...me? The words rang alarm bells as his eyes flashed open in surprise, the feeling only intensified to see that she was standing 3 inches away from him and looking up into his eyes with a concerned expression.
"Master I promise, my loyalty to you is absolute...but I was chosen as your guide and guardian, to always look out for your best interests. I can't help but worry that us growing attached can only lead to suffering and that is something I can't allow to happen to you" His lips were stayed by her velvety lips, vanquishing his prior thoughts.
"I know and I also know that it is going to get harder but I promise you that no matter what happens, I will face it with you"
"Thank you Master, I just need some time to absorb everything I suppose, the past month has been an eventful one" He shrugged in a nonchalant way, trying to reassure her with a collected demeanour.
"Very well, please do not hesitate to talk to me if you need to, I want to be there for you as much as you are for me" Cyclonis spoke with smooth sincerity and Ace knew he needed to distance himself and find a way to control it, before it could blind him and inevitably put her in jeopardy. For the first time, the Talon Commander found himself trying to end a conversation with her, rather than prolong one.
"Master I have been there for you since you were young..." The dry and wry smile tugging on his lips as he spoke immediately triggered a reaction from her and hopefully a swift subject switch.
"All the more reason to take up my offer, I have a fair bit of catching up to do but rest assured, I do care Ace, please keep that in mind." She replied with a smile that mirrored on his face as well. For now, his primary objective had reached an impasse but he knew that securing her social status could be accomplished; all he needed to do was drink.
'seems simple enough' He mused but the thought did remind him of something he needed to say.
"Understood Master, I also need to report that I am spending this evening with the Talons in the mess hall." He called to her as she returned to her machine.
"Hmmm...I don't remember permitting that, I need you for other tasks in regards to some battle plans I want you to cross examine."
"I...didn't realize I had to ask permission for what I do in my social life Master, I will fulfil that task tomorrow." A question emerged from the cloud of fear that loomed over his mind.
'Am I a man or property?'
"Very well then...enjoy your evening with the Talons" She called over her shoulder, albeit cold. He disliked the way that conversation ended but he had at least acquired some of the progress he sought. Bowing respectfully, he turned and left the Throne room.
Seated in solitude, the Dark Ace pondered. He had heard the expression before, the battle between the mind and heart but this was beyond any complexity he could have predicted.
She was his drive, her success was his purpose.
He ran his hands through his jet black spikes, an act of turmoil and stress. Ace reached for his bedside drawer and opened it, fetching a small crystal from the cavity. He ran his fingers over its smooth surface, gently shinning at his touch, he activated it.
Before him was a gently faded image of a man in his youth. Even with the age decay of the picture, he could still make out the shiny new armour and blazing red Firebolt crystal that sat in the hilt of the young man's sword. But the true focus of this picture was the young girl he cradled in his arms. And once again, his sight falls upon the girl's expression as she looks up at the young man. As he loses himself in the image, he can still faintly feel his body become riveted with emotions. In that girls eyes are words left unspoken but one word always stands out in his mind as it processes the picture;
Hero...
The mess hall; absolutely sickening...sound all around, alcohol staining the once lavish furniture and the sheer stench of vile breath from those who were too close for comfort. Even here of all places, his thoughts still ran like clockwork. Ace knew that this alone was his greatest advantage and simultaneously his greatest weakness; it allowed him to flawlessly predict his opponent's moves in battle but it also made removing a frustrating issue in his mind impossible. The current infection was
"Geez, what's up with you?" Snipe's raspy voice lingered with alcohol that forced the Champion of Cyclonia to wrinkle his face in disgust.
"Leave me be Snipe" A simple enough request that even Snipe should be able to comprehend, however he did not factor in the retardation of mental coherence that alcohol ushered in.
"What's wrong? Not getting any from the witch?"
His fist clenched as he stared blankly forward, the wood denting under his rising anger.
"It's just too bad that you don't have royal blood..." A stunned expression followed by a repulsive hic signalled the end of his comment.
"...What?" He asked almost silently from shock, even under the sensor inhibition that drinking granted, he could without a doubt feel confusion and despair rush through him.
"Oh you didn't know? I uh, hate to be the bearer of bad news 'hic' Acey but...she will need someone of royal blood to conceive an heir with...can you imagine 'hic' that witch as a mother? It's crazy"
As the statement continued as did the rate his previously iron grip tremble. 'N...N-not of royal blood?' It was true; Ace was a Sky Knight and so was his entire family, all loyal to The Free Atmos...well, almost all of them. The void of grief ached in his heart, fuelled by agony, jealousy and irrevocably, boiling rage that hazed his vision into a white hell.
Snipe clutching his reddening jaw filled the missing scenes from the frenzy he had entered. The numbing haze made getting thrown over the counter a near pleasant experience as glass shattered around him like silvery rain. Clutching the bench for support he launched himself over the counter, his greaves forcing their way pass Snipe's muscle barrier to impact the organs. Through the white noise he could make out the ruthless support for violence that the soldiers cheered but in a society founded upon a hierarchy of power, this was to be expected. Ace's vaulting kick had rendered him on the floor once more; looking over at the winded Talon officer the words he had spoken irked his anger to a new pinnacle as he leapt up and drove his elbow into Snipe's spine. Howls of pain only aggravated the blinding rage further him as the brute dropped to the ground, the Cyclonian Commander already raining down punches like strikes of lightning. Under every punch, the breaking of bones felt, under every strike, the yelps of retribution heard.
The relentless attacks halted and the inhibition of intoxication and rage made him oblivious to being pulled away by soldiers for some time. Just seeing his comrades cringing figure violently refreshed his memory of why his fists were soaked red and within a heartbeat, he flexed his arms and smashed the two Talon's skulls together, instantly charging for Snipe again before a voice in the crowd pierced through the fury consumed Cyclonian Commander.
"Ace! The voice was softer than the others, it did not goad the violence nor did it stem from concern for Snipes life. The Dark Ace held himself back, lungs still billowing with anger as the oxygen gushed the adrenaline through him.
"Ace please stop! It was Cyclonis. His fists unclenched and he closed his eyes, calming his breaths and regaining a grip on reality. Upon opening his eyes he met hundreds of fear stricken Talons, all pushed back as far as possible to the edges of the room from their raging commander. Ace's focus fell back onto Snipe, clarity slowly restoring as the spite subsided. He was hurt, badly, blood gushed from so many places it was impossible to determine where the wounds were but the brute was a glutton for punishment and he still wheezed on but more importantly, his Master was here and she had just seen him at his worst.
Regret replaced rage; this was never something he wanted her to bare witness to. Since this all started, all she ever knew about him on missions were the basics, never did he speak about details of bone shattering punches, blood soaked swords or the look in a man's eyes as the life force left his eyes.
Standing up straight, he walked silently out of the mess hall, knowing that Cyclonis would follow him. Soon he found himself looking out over the Terra on a balcony, the lightning riddled skies flashing and illuminating the blood of contrition that stained his gloved hands.
'Something is wrong with me...this isn't normal! The thoughts rattled in his skull as a gentle hand was placed on his shoulder'
"Ace?" Stern but concerned was the composition of her current tone but his following actions would quickly change that. He stood and turned to her, his eyes locking with worried purple irises. He froze for a brief moment, acknowledging and absorbing his own words that he was about to speak.
"I understand now, I finally understand the rule prohibiting any emotional bond between Master and Servant...it's because such an attachment is just an illusion of happiness that never existed in the first place and if it isn't stopped-it can only lead to suffering" With every word he spoke he could feel the attunement between them tremble.
"I don't believe what I'm hearing...I was right...you are trying to leave me" Her voice cracked like the thunder in the sky.
"I know this is hard for you to hear but this is for the best...Cyclonia will conquer the Atmos once more and it is my destiny to lead it to victory but while I am with you...I cannot accomplish that"
"Ace please..." Master Cyclonis' eyes glistened with sadness, only concreting the fact that such an infatuation can only end this way.
"I am sorry my Master...I only remain your humble servant" Thunder rumbled across the sky again, filling the silence that swirled between them. He waited silently as Cyclonis just stared at the ground, her hair hanging over her face, hiding her expressions and reactions to his cold words. Hours seem to pass as the two remained as still as statues, breathing no longer audible. Eventually Ace concluded it was time to leave her presence and with it, the attunement that infected both him and her Empire. Walking past her, he noticed her fists clenched, knuckles white with anger but drowned in frustration, she knew he was right and she could not prove otherwise. There were moments where he second guessed his words but in order to be kind, he had to be cruel.
"Then obey my command..." The words halted his entire body as emotions spread like wild fire through his core, awaiting his new orders with nothing more than terror.
"And leave Cyclonia"
A/N Yes...I do agree that this is a bit of coal in the stocking but this is a story about villains and just like in the hero's stories and any story really, there is going to be complications, villains just cop it worse..I guess this story kind of teaches you to endure the pain to appreciate happiness when it comes your way which is a good lesson for all us...that and no one tells a story about villains as good as I do, NO one! Mwhuahahahaha, alas this chapter is just part 1 of 2 and part 2 will be out soon, sorry for the authors notes/rambling but it's been so long I figured you'd all want answers. Anyways, please Review and pm if you want to catch up with your favourite author XD Arrivederci-Dark Lions