Stone Cold

by Forinsyther

Aerrow's wish to stop the zombie apocalypse was granted, but nobody said the new war was over, and no one said The Dark Ace was gone for good. (Sequel to the New War)

14. The First Wave

Hi everyone. I haven't abandoned this fanfic it's in my head all of the time. The reason the update has taken so long is because I've been working on my first book, it's all finished now and I'm going to be publishing it soon so I should have more time to update Stone Cold.

I probably would have updated a little quicker than this, but this fic doesn't seem to be getting as many reviews as New War so I'm assuming people aren't as bothered about it.

Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, I put a lot of work into writing these, so if you are enjoying it a review would be greatly appreciated.

OoOo.

"Inside Atmos brings you news on the move! Breaking stories from all across the Atmos! Jail bird Dark Ace has flewn the coop, escaping the penalty for his nefarious actions. That's right, in a shocking turn of events; The Dark Ace has escaped from the high security stockade on Terra Atmosia, leaving guards and prisoners alike baffled! The Talon in question has yet to be sighted, but Sky Knight patrols have been assembled to prevent the criminal from fleeing to the skies."

News reporter Guy had attracted a lot of attention with his report. He was standing in front of the Atmosian tower and grinning, beaming for getting to be the man to tell the story. He was excited and enthusiastic, as if there wasn't an infamous murderer on the loose. But the public crowding around him reflected how he should have looked. Some were biting nails, some were petrified, and some were feeling crippling regret for throwing stuff at Dark Ace after the trial. Some hurried to their homes, some bought crystals for safety, and some were stalking the Sky Knights who were patrolling the streets.

All could agree on one thing, the Dark Ace was surely out to get revenge, he was going to go on a rampage.

There was a figure amongst the masses, she looked like an elusive movie star. She was wearing black heels and leggings. A trenchcoat veiled the rest of her slim body, but still her curves were framed. A hat covered most of her hair, and she was wearing big stylish sunglasses. Ravess smiled at the announcement, Dark Ace was OK, he'd actually escaped the prison. She was very impressed.

She finished her latte and dumped the cup in the trash, then left the Terra square. Her hips rolled with every step, she felt free regardless of her hunted circumstances. Now she had to wonder in a way she had never tried before; If I were Dark Ace, where would I be hiding? She was quite surprised that he wasn't slithering through the shadows. She thought he should be slitting throats of all the fools who had mocked and jeered him after the trial.

He was clever but he wasn't subtle, if people were dying by his hand he wouldn't take the time to hide the bodies. He'd leave them where he dropped them, like a stamp on the streets marking where he'd been. Since there was none of that, it meant he must be hiding, she tried not to let it put her off.

Her heels clapped against the concrete as she passed through the winding streets, she ignored everyone she passed, who in turn did not acknowledge her. It irritated her, she missed the attention, the demanded respect in Cyclonia, it was the closest she could ever feel to royalty. She deserved life like royalty, and right now she was forced to live like a peasant.

She eyed up a few men passing her by, and smiled when she noticed them checking her out. Then she spied on another, and snorted immediately at the sight, she pushed her sunglasses up, and wrinkled her nose. There was a homeless man, wearing a black hoody and manky pants. He had the nerve to look up at her, she was lucky not to catch his whole face, it would have knocked her sick. That was the only thing she could agree with Cyclonis on, the homeless were as worthless as litter, ruining the view with their filthy appearances. The homeless man kept his face aimed at hers for a while, until she was too far away to be worth the effort anymore. Her vibrant lips twisted and she shook her head, if the fool wanted change he shouldn't have lost it all in the first place.

Dark Ace sighed to himself with a kind of defeat he was not used to enduring. He really hoped Ravess hadn't recognised him, impressions suggested that she had not. There was a knot curling in his stomach, he pulled the black hood more over his face, he felt riddled with embarrassment. How could this have happened? He was once practically the king of Cyclonia, just one step down from the Master herself, feared, respected, and untouchable. And now he was reduced to living on the streets. Now his worth was only the price above his head should someone hand him to Cyclonis.

OooO.

"'Argh, we're trapped on Terra Cyclonia, there's a big ass shield around it, well shit it can't get any worse at least.' Oh oh oh, but it can, because now we're trapped in a big fucking room together. Har dee har har."

"Shut up Strat!" Ash hissed, she was sitting against the wall of the windowless cell they were now boxed in. She was on the verge of tears and hiding behind her legs because of it.

Strat tutted, he was standing near her. "Just bringing some light to the situation."

"Nobody asked you to!" Moustache yelled, and the two looked at him with surprise, it was rare when he lost his temper. He wasn't very good at it, he was too humble, too average. He kicked the wall with frustration, and then someone from the other side of the room told him to be quiet.

"We're going to die, we're actually going to die in here," Ash babbled, and dragged her fingers through her greasy hair.

Strat puckered his lips, "So I can't tell jokes but you can be a debbie downer?"

Fifty Cyclonians had been locked away together for two days now, so tensions were wearing thin. Ash growled with a high pitch and got to her feet. "It's not being a downer it's being fucking realistic. Oxygen starved, actually starved, dying of thirst, or just dying of what ever the fuck that green shit was. God dammit." She whimpered and hid her face in her hands. They hadn't been fed yet, they'd each woken up with a bottle of water, but that didn't mean they'd get more when they ran out. And there were seven out of the fifty in their cell who had gotten side effects from formula 33.

Moustache wandered away from the two, after all the stress and listening to arguments, his head felt like hundreds of wasps were buzzing around inside. His legs took him to a woman with a jacket draped around her shoulders, she was shivering and had a smidge of sick dribbling down her bottom lip. She was one of the unfortunate ones who became ill because of the gas.

"How are you holding up Jules?" He asked her gently. His face wrinkled at the strong stench of sick coming off her. He tried to straighten his face, but by god it was hard, especially when he sat next to her.

Her eyes were red from crying so much, "Ash is right isn't she, we're going to die in here?"

"Not necessarily," he tried, "I mean, what's the point in waiting? Surely Cyclonis would have just done it already."

She pursed her lips and shook her head, "I don't wanna sit here and pretend. We all know the shit that happened when her father was in charge, we've all heard the stories about the experiments, maybe she's picking up where daddy left off. Maybe she wants to see how long it takes-"

A man close by who was forced to eavesdrop whipped his head at them and spat, "Will you shut the fuck up! Dumb bitch."

Moustache raised his hands, "Hey Marth, lay off alright?"

Marth looked so tempted to let his sanity crack and make life so much harder. But he resorted to spitting at them and stomping away, shoving past people as he did so.

Jules's voice turned into a whimper as her stomach growled, she hung her head low. "I'm never going to see them again, my brother, my parents, my sister just had a baby, I-" she started to choke up, tears once again falling for her tired eyes, "I haven't even seen it yet."

Moustache locked hands with her and held on tightly, while wrapping an arm around her, she melted into his embrace. "Hey, come on, shhh, it'll be alright in the end, we'll make it out."

"How? The only people who would ever want to help us are all locked up, in other cells just like this one. Everyone on the Terra is a prisoner."

He opened his mouth to object, but there was nothing to say, his head fell back until it hit the wall. He nodded bitterly, his eyes glazed over with pain and then resentment for Dark Ace and Ravess. They had gotten out safely, but they hadn't bothered to mention their suspicions to anyone, even after he had checked up on his bastard of a commander.

Speaking of shitty superiors.

"I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!" Snipe screamed hard enough to shred his throat.

Every Cyclonian in the room cringed and gritted their teeth, as the voice bellowed and echoed through the small room like an air horn in the ear.

Snipe, who was standing on a kneeling Talon, was glaring up at a camera attached to the wall in one of the top corners. He shouted again, "I DON'T DESERVE THIS! I'M MORE LOYAL THAN ANY OF THESE CUNTS IN HERE! JUST GIMME A CHANCE!"

At this point the majority were sitting down and plugging their ears. Most brows met in the middle as they waited for another one of his tantrums to pass. Last time he had stood and screamed at the camera for an hour.

"I CAN PROVE MYSELF. YOU NEED SOMEONE LIKE ME. DARK ACE WAS PISS WEAK, I'M NOT, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A CYCLONIAN, MY PARENTS, MY SISTER, WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN CLOSE TO THE ROYAL FAMILY. DON'T LET ME DIE IN HERE." Then he started thumping on the wall, people had to sit forward or tense up as the whole room ricocheted.

Snipe's efforts were not going wasted. Cyclonis was sat in her laboratory, watching the infected Talons with a nightcrawler snarling and grinning beside her. Three of her scientists were working behind her, tinkering with crystals, writing their observations, predicting problems and then solving them. Snipe was pleading with all his obnoxious might, he was desperate, they all were, but he was still fighting. Cyclonis needed a fighter, and she needed a fool. Dark Ace was a fool, but not in the right way.

She raised her hand and another nightcrawler with eyes as bright as gem stones dropped from the ceiling. "Bring him to me." She pointed to the man who raged like an ape.

And then she swept across the room like the proudest cat and lifted her glorious scepter. A green crystal as menacing as the formula was clasped on the end. She admired it as it glowed in her face, she looked so proud of it she might kiss it. She hummed to it in one low tone, her throat rumbled until the crystal pulsed brighter, her eyes sparkled in its reflection. It was time.

"Mr Mockette."

"Yes Master Cyclonis?"

"Activate the first wave."

And then she returned to the crystal, speaking to it directly in a tongue that no one else in the room could understand.

Snipe had been released from their cell like the luckiest lab rat. Now Strat was infront of the door they didn't even know was there, thumping on it and howling curse words. Ash had a hold of his arm, she now knew for sure that there were people out there watching them. It made being caged like this all the more scary. Was this some kind of twisted spectacle? She knew plenty about experiments, she worked in the medical labs, she'd watched rats oblivious to their purpose until the needles were injected. Being on the other end, it certainly brought a kind of pity for them.

Suddenly Moustache barked, "Shhh! Shut up Strat!" He had Jules clutching to him for support, she was almost collapsing with fatigue. Tears and snot were streaming down her face, she was asking him why this was happening, as if he should know.

Strat whipped his head at him, his nose crinkled, his brow deeply creased. "Fuck you we gotta get out of here!"

"Listen!" He hissed back and looked around anxiously. The entire room slowly silenced. The aggravation dropped like a rock and everyone looked around vaguely.

The noises started to fade into the room. It sounded like people talking, but the talking sounded panicked, it turned into shouting and crying, and then there were clunks and bangs. Some Talons, Moustache included, hurried to one of the walls. They pressed themselves against it and gulped as they could hear it more clearly. They weren't the only platoon still locked away, right next door Cyclonis had crammed another group of fifty into a room identical to theirs.

And then, the noise died. The people next door had been taken out of their cell. The first wave of soldiers had been activated; it was the ultimate test. Emotionless, rigid, and not exactly the picture of health, but it had been discussed and expected. They could still move, they could still hear, and the only thoughts in their heads were the ones that Cyclonis planted. They looked braindead and useless, but all they had to do was spread the infection. Transport would arrive soon to carry them to the first Terra.

oOoO.

"Thank you," Piper said as she took the bag of goodies from the baker with a smile. The night was young, the sky was a pastel pink, and the Storm Hawks had been scanning the streets of Atmosia all day. Along with every other Sky Knight and their squadron. This was their first break in six hours, they'd stopped at a neat little bakery and ordered sweet things full of cream and chocolate.

Aerrow was leaning against the glass display, watching the help carve a big slice of chocolate cake for Junko. The wallop took his treat looking just as gleeful as Piper. They were so confident that they would overcome the evil Dark Ace once again. But Aerrow had given up trying, simply because he didn't know what he was supposed to be trying to pretend anymore. Surely they'd understand if he looked glum? A criminal was on the loose, that was something to frown about right?

Finn was outside with his headphones in, he was enjoying his own little musical world for a while, clearly bored with all the serious business. He was playing air guitar and his eyes were closed, there was a goofy grin on his face, he was infront of a raving audience only he could see. Aerrow watched him dance, but then there was someone else outside coming towards the bakery. He couldn't make out the face, but they were moving shambolically... Aerrow turned away and forced himself to steady with a quick breath. It's getting late. It's just a drunk. Everyone is fine. Calm down. He wanted to slap himself, his lips parted, his breath was heavy. Was he going mad?

"Aerrow?" Piper asked with a hand on his shoulder, his head rolled to the right to look at her. "You sure you don't want anything?"

"I'm sure." He scratched his head, he was supposed to be normal, what would he be talking about normally? "I still can't believe Dark Ace managed to escape."

"I've been thinking about that actually," her voice had brightened a bit, she was happy that he was speaking like a Storm Hawk again. "That prison has some of the best security, better than Zartacla, so he must have had an accomplice."

Junko, with a mouth full of creamy sponge said, "But who could-"

Finn screamed.

Everyone spun around to see a Talon snarling with manic eyes, with his hands on Finn. Aerrow looked and lost his breath, a zombie had a hold of Finn. It was going for his neck. Piper, Stork, and Junko ran out of the bakery to investigate the matter. They wondered why Finn couldn't shove the guy off, it was just a Cyclonian after all. But Stork froze up when they reached the door, in a better light, that certainly didn't look like an average man...

Stork shrieked, "Finn get away from him right now!" And then he was shoved into the frame of the door. Aerrow had barged past him, he was running towards Finn with the knife he'd made out of flint. He wrapped an arm around the zombies neck, and without any hesitation dug the blade into its head. Piper screamed, like her greatest fear had just been witnessed, she was close to collapsing. Junko gasped and whimpered, he was afraid, afraid of the monster he was looking at, the monster with his leader's face. Stork didn't know what to think, but he was a little relieved, Finn looked unharmed, his family was safe.

Finn had seen Aerrow's face close up, he didn't look wild or afraid, he looked calm and determined. He'd just killed, but he looked...unphased, he didn't even look remotely sorry about it. It reminded him of someone; the way his eyes were set to a cold and unforgiving tint, the straight face that appeared almost glad. He didn't want to think about the man it reminded him of. Finn stepped back, far out of Aerrow's reach. He was as wide eyed and shocked as the rest of them, he was petrified and speechless, they all were. They watched their Sky Knight as he stood over the body, with a savage looking knife in hand, glaring at the Talon he'd literally just murdered.

Aerrow was overwhelmed, he'd saved Finn, he was so happy, he was having to hold back relieved laughter, but he was also fretting. Because the Talon didn't look as dead as what he was used to, the signs were all there... but what if he'd just been drunk? He didn't know what to say. He looked at Stork, and thankfully the merb's paranoid expression confirmed his suspicions. But the rest of them, Piper, Junko and Finn were all giving him a wide berth. They looked terrified, like they'd seen a real monster, the kind of monsters he'd been fighting for months. But they weren't looking at the zombie, they were looking at him.

"Have you been bitten?!" Aerrow practically spewed the words out, too upset and frantic to think about a delicate approach. He made a move towards Finn, who hurried backward to keep the distance, the knife was still in Aerrow's hand.

"What are you talking about? No man, I haven't. What? Dude it was a Talon," he lost his fingers in his tall spikes of hair. "It was just a Talon," his voice was high, he looked away from his leader, it was really starting to sink in now. Aerrow settled, and was realising what he'd just done, or more so how he'd done it. They all looked scared of him, it was unnerving, he didn't like it, he wanted the looks to stop. How could Dark Ace ever like this sort of attention? Where was Dark Ace anyway? He missed him, he would have killed the zombie for him, he would have taken the disgusted looks, he would have made him feel safer.

By now Stork was inspecting the body, but only with his eyes, he didn't dare touch the skin. The stance, the groaning, the beastly behaviour, he was certain he knew of the affliction, but he couldn't see a bite. "Could be," he muttered.

"Could be what?" Aerrow said sharply, eager and desperate for Stork to begin his ramblings, the one he'd gone over too many times to count in his head. He swallowed and glared down at the Merb, pushing him to say it, he needed him to say zombies, he was the only who should be crazy enough to say it.

Stork narrowed his eyes at him. "He didn't attack like any Talon I've seen. He could have been infected with an incurable disease, turns a person's brain numb, they lose control of their body. Have an urge to pass on the disease."

"I thought it was some kind of monster," Aerrow said, swallowing to try and keep his voice from cracking, "it was like a zombie from a movie."

"Zombies!? Really?" Piper shrieked. It sent a chill down his spine, she never yelled at him. He sheepishly turned to look at her, she was shocked and fervent and was still keeping her distance.

"It's a possibility." Stork shrugged and stood up.

"Yeah? Well, glad I did something then." Aerrow said, swallowing again as he looked back at the body. Now he was certain it was a zombie, he wasn't imagining it, he wasn't crazy. Dark Ace had tried to warn them about this. He knew it was coming. But the rest were still unconvinced, they were appalled that something so fictional had been suggested. Aerrow knew they'd be like this, it was happening all over again.

"Zombies aren't real," Finn mumbled with a stern tone. He was still shaken up, couldn't cross Aerrow's eyes.

Aerrow blew air out of his cheeks, the blood was racing through his veins, it was hard to stand still. "No it is, it definitely it is. Zombies are here. Maybe - maybe that's what Dark Ace was trying to warn us about."

"I believe you," Junko squeaked. Aerrow looked at him with a short smile, he was going to give his thanks but the wallop wasn't looking at him. He was looking far down the street with wide eyes, mouth gaped, and quivering lips. Aerrow whipped round and almost stumbled back, the shock plucked the air from his lungs. In the distance, making its way towards them, was a mob of zombies, enough to cover the streets, too many to sneak past.

"What's that?" Piper whimpered. The anger she felt for Aerrow was on hold, bumps spread across her skin.

"Zombies."

"OK. Stork dude, what do we do?" Finn squealed. Junko gulped then knocked his knuckles together, the green light of his busters flashed over them.

Aerrow shook his hands, his chest was heaving as he failed to calm his breath. "We get on the rooftops, get to the Condor. We run, and we don't stop til we're safe. Stork get some weapons from the bakery, just in case, you know what to get." He looked to the left, there was a gap between the bakery and the neighbouring building, and a ladder was attached to the wall. He headed towards it, expecting his friends to follow him on command, because he assumed they would be as scared for their lives as he was. But he turned and beheld their faces, they looked offended.

Piper said, with outrage quickly creeping back in her voice. "Aerrow, we have to help." He was starting to get used to her looking at him with concern and disappointment, but he still couldn't stand it. "There are people out there, and Sky Knights. They need our help, that's what we do, remember? We help those in need."

"Yeah dude," Finn added while sheepishly taking a carving knife from Stork. "We're the Storm Hawks we've got this, we've handled worse."

They all looked so sure of themselves, and Aerrow was reminded of the kind of people they were, they were infamous heroes. They'd overcome murk raiders and leviathans, murder never came into the equation, but they were brave and fearless, they'd done so much and they'd done it together. There was something warm inside him, a little sure smile was merging, because maybe they could do this. Maybe it could be different this time. He could get them through this, he knew what to do, they could outsmart the dead, he'd been doing it for months.

He wiped the sweat that was forming on his brow, and blew air out of his cheeks. "You're right, I'm sorry, I guess I just got freaked out. They are zombies after all. OK, we need a plan. Piper any thoughts?" Acting so normally, it brought a missed confidence back to everyone. Treating it like any other mission made it feel so normal, so safe, so fine.

"We can't stay out all night, that's crazy, I suggest we charge through. No one splits up, if we have to, we do so in teams. Along the way we pick up survivors, gather the Sky Knights, and retreat to the Condor with as many as we can."

"What do we do if we get attacked?" Junko asked.

"You don't." Stork said, he was as weary and on edge as Aerrow. "You get attacked and it's all over, I almost wish we could just go across the roofs. Aim for the head." They all looked so nervous, there was a foreign fear about killing with no other alternative. Aerrow could relate all too well. But it didn't bother him now, it couldn't, they were here, the people he loved, he would kill anyone that got too close. They were all going to sleep on the condor tonight, he would not let anything different happen.

Finn was armed with a knife tucked away in his belt, his crossbow was in hand, he kept reminding himself to aim for a fatal blow instead of a body shot. Junko knocked his knuckles again, he felt intimidated by the horror scene but confident, one punch would send the enemy flying. Piper had her staff and armed herself with an icer, it was the only crystal she had on hand which would pack a heavy punch. Stork and Aerrow had large knives, neither of which required crystals. They wished Aerrow would use his energy blades, the knife made him look like an entirely different person. And seeing him so comfortable about wielding it, only fed the thought. Radar was using the flint knife Aerrow had made, and nodded solemnly when Aerrow told him not to jump onto any other shoulders.

They stood in a line together, looking out at the crowd which was gradually getting closer. The zombies were fast, like any normal man, which was raising doubt in the majority. But Aerrow knew the truth, as did Stork, and Radar could smell something sickly in the air.

Aerrow raised his hand, "On my command." The squadron nodded, and tightened their grips on the unsheathed weapons. Aerrow had the command in his head, but he wasn't ready to say it. There were so many, it was like an army, an army of dead Talons. Could they really take them all on? One mistake and that was it. That's how it had been for every single one of them. Bad decisions got them all killed. And as Dark Ace had once pointed out, nobility can sometimes be very bad.

"Lets do this," Finn muttered, as the battle raged on infront of them. He was ready for this, he'd protected the helpless innocent from evil monsters before. Hell, they all had. This was the job, it was just a little more intense now, but they could do it. Sure his heart was racing, but he surely wouldn't bottle it. He was almost squeezing the trigger out of pure nerves.

"Right," Aerrow took a step forward, they looked at him expectantly. But he straightened out of his battle ready stance. "We can't." He lowered his arms and rushed back to the steps, "We can't do it, come on let's just go, we have to stay safe."

He held onto the ladders and looked back at them, but they weren't moving, they looked furious. "That's an order! Get over here before they see you!"

Piper furrowed her brows and slowly shook her head, her staff was still in hand, the crystal glowing bright like a diamond. "No."

"What?" He felt angry, and he wasn't even sure why.

"I said no. I refuse. I'm not going to follow your orders, not when you're like this, this isn't the Aerrow I know. I know who I am, I'm a Storm Hawk. I'm going to do my duty, I'm not going to act like some coward, that's what Talons do." Aerrow's breath hitched, but before he could protest, before he could yell unintentionally at her, before he could leave the ladders and drag her to safety, she ran off. She ran straight for the dead.

Aerrow screamed her name, screamed as if she'd already been bitten, as if he'd lost her. He couldn't trust her to survive, it was foolish to trust that anyone could make it out alive. He'd almost lost Dark Ace making that assumption. He pushed himself away from the ladder and sped after her, still screaming her name, barking at her to come back, but she ran on with valiant bravery.

Finn, Junko, Stork and Radar ran too, but not to help Aerrow, they wanted to be a part of it like Piper, they wanted to be the heroes they claimed to be. They were going to silence the screams, they were going to mend the streets, they were going to save the needy. They'd do it without Aerrow's order if need be, they weren't stupid, they just had to be careful.

oOoo.

Dark Ace was running through the carnage, he'd been woken up by screaming, and now he was in a crowd of zombies. And every single zombie was wearing the Cyclonian uniform. He wasn't surprised, but it sickened him; how Cyclonis could do this to her own. She had to know how many loyal soldiers she was killing, the Sky Knights were doing their jobs, they were putting them down. The Talons seemed sharper but they were still zombies, still unable to calculate the orders put into their heads. They weren't bothering him, he was pushing through, knocking into some, but they didn't care. Maybe their orders were bias and specific, or maybe it was that foreign sensation he'd felt when he woke up.

His head throbbed and his heart was racing for no reason. But he still had control. Well mostly, he had his senses, he had his morals, he had his own thoughts, but he felt weak. It came so sudden, as sudden as this attack, and it worried him. It was just as well the Talons were on his side in a matter of speaking, he hated to admit it even to himself, but in this state he'd probably be dead by now.

A blast of energy came whizzing past his face, he yelped and skidded to a hault, almost falling as he did so. He whipped his head to the left and saw a Third Degree Burner, the one with the red mohawk. The dead weren't phasing him, he kept them at a distance like they were nothing more than flies. He was glowering at Dark Ace because he was worth so much more. He wore a malice grin, just like any other Sky Knight would if they were offered this opportunity.

His death sentence should have been played out already, so now, they were no merciless arrests. The Third Degree Burner was going to kill him, because it was the proper course of action. It was a duty to the people, the council would probably give him a medal for his deeds, they'd treat him better than Harrier, he could have anything he wanted.

Dark Ace had no weapons, only his fists, he had no armour, only his head brace, and with fatigue and hunger, he was not ready for a fight. The Third Degree Burner was drawing closer, and would have reached him if a zombie hadn't grabbed him. Dark Ace didn't wait to see if it bit him, he ran the second his attention was turned. Unfortunately he couldn't laugh at the guy's misfortune, he was too busy panting, sweating, and freaking out.

He was reminded of his race through Cyclonia the last time, before he found Cyclonis bitten, before he was told just how much she really hated him. That day changed his life forever. He hated what her words had done to him. But in a way he owed her everything, he wouldn't have found a worth and longing he didn't know he could still have. He would be missing out on his friendship with Aerrow, if Cyclonis hadn't thrown him out like trash. It was scary how different things were this time, he wasn't deriving any joy from this, he just wanted it to end. He didn't want any more deaths, not when he knew what it created; a desolate world that even he couldn't handle. He hated that he couldn't handle it, he really thought he'd made himself strong enough to survive anything. Was he just as weak and needy as the eighteen year old he once was?

OoOo.

A zombie got a blast of ice in the face and then Piper swung her staff, smashing the head with one blow. She could hear Aerrow jabbing a knife into another Talon. She'd be sick if she weren't concentrating so hard. Radar was clinging to Aerrow's shoulders, and covering him from behind. Finn and Junko were fighting back to back. As expected the wallop was keeping them away in waves with his powerful fists, and Finn was firing round after round of headshots.

They were making their way through the crowd. Aerrow was constantly telling everyone to keep alert, and not to get cornered, and for everyone to keep moving no matter what. Occasionally he would shout and ask everyone if they were still untouched.

Soon they came across the Sky Knights. Aerrow got a sudden burst of pride, they were protecting people, they'd walled themselves around families and civilians. They were actually doing it, they were fine. Starling was alive and well, fighting fit, being as brave and brilliant as she always was. The Rebel Ducks were keeping Dove and Wren safe. Everyone was fighting like it was just an ordinary day, like the threat of death wasn't higher than usual. It was as good as magic, why couldn't it be this smooth the first time round? He had to keep this strength alive.

They saw the Storm Hawks and called them over, a couple of Third Degree Burners met them half way. Before Stork could ask it Aerrow yelled over the carnage, "Are you alright, has anyone been bitten?!"

"Course not, bastards can't touch us! They're weaker than usual."

"Aim for the head!" Aerrow squawked.

"We know! We've - we've lost some people. Come on give us a hand."

"We've got to get everyone to the Condor!" Piper shouted while icing another, Junko ran past and shattered the frozen head with his fist. Starling was given a boost into the air, to which she quickly told everyone to stick together, keep senses sharp, and make their way to the Storm Hawks ship.

Aerrow and Stork ran to the front of the group and proceeded to lead, "Piper stay close! Piper!"

"I'm know Aerrow, I'm coming!"

A few others joined them at the front, a Rex Guardian and a Screaming Queen. They all looked just as shocked and frightened, but none were backing down, they were following their oaths and keeping people safe. No sorrow was given to the infected Talons, no remorse for the ones they killed.

It was the bulky Rex Guardian who had joined Aerrow's side. They marched onward with their weapons, lunging and thrusting, painting the Atmosian streets with crimson. Aerrow noticed something, and it hit him hard, he could feel the agony like a knife in the chest. It was already happening.

"W - where's Harrier?" He asked the Rex Guardian, who flashed him a look of worry.

"I don't know, I - I don't know, he's here somewhere."

Aerrow couldn't deal with it, because this time it was worse, this time he couldn't do anything about it. Tempus Crystallus could not be repeated.

People were going to die. Aerrow started stabbing the dead with more anger, it was his fault, he'd failed to make the wish right. This wasn't supposed to happen. How could Cyclonis have found another way to start the apocalypse? He hated her. He hated how much effect one teenage girl could have on the world. He wished he could do the same. He hated that she wasn't trying to stop the war, hated that she probably enjoyed adding to it. He hated what she'd done to his brother, to Dark Ace. Aerrow started looking around for him, but he wasn't scared of finding him dead on the ground. He was terrified of seeing him as a zombie. How could he protect him? Everyone would want to kill him, they'd rush towards him if he was one of the undead, they'd stab him until he was unrecognisable.

OoOo.

Dark Ace was still running, he could hear Sky Knights shouting in the distance. Part of him wanted to run to them, and demand to know where Aerrow was. He had an overpowering urge to protect him, he had to keep that kid safe, he just had to, he'd spent a month thinking he'd never see him again. He didn't like those thoughts, he decided he didn't want to live a life where that kid wasn't around.

But he knew running to the Sky Knights meant death, every single one of them wanted to see him gone. He was fucked, he didn't know what to do or where to go. He had no home, he had no one, he thought of finding Ravess, but what if she wasn't here anymore? If he ran into a civilian they'd turn him in, and killing them would just leave a trail.

He ducked into a narrow alley and pressed his back against the wall. He was panting more than he should, he felt so weak, he couldn't fight, he couldn't keep running. He considered hiding in the shadows until the blood bath started to dry up.

His breath hitched as a Sky Knight ran past. It was Harrier. Chills shot through him and he took a deep breath. But the chills turned into icy bumps on his skin when Harrier returned. He was looking Dark Ace dead in the eye, his sword was glowing golden in the dark. Dark Ace couldn't settle his frantic breathing, and he couldn't wear a tyrannical mask. Everything was piling on top of him; the worry of Aerrow, the fear for his own life, and his weakened state. He was wide eyed with fright, his lips parted, beads of sweat were dribbling down the side of his face.

He gulped when Harrier took a step forward, he stepped back anxiously, and continued to do so as Harrier began to stalk towards him. He couldn't help it, he was out gunned, the Sky Knights had checkmate on him. He couldn't fly away, and he was too weak to win a fight, he was forced to stand and deal with it. Harrier drew closer to him in a deathly silence, his face read the same merciless hostility that all Sky Knights wore for Dark Ace.

He raised his sword, ready to cut through Dark Ace's slender body. Harrier would become the most superior Sky Knight for killing him, he'd get a second hotel and more. The attention he would get; he of all people would relish a medal more than anyone, it would go wonderfully with his reputation and personal landing strip.

The alley was a dead end, and now Dark Ace was backed up against the wall, Harrier had almost broken the distance. He didn't know what to do, he'd never been in this position with a Sky Knight. With a flash of panic, he muttered "Please," without even realising it, and raised his hands in the air. He looked at the weapon, and then his eyes met Harrier's blue. It was coming, he was going to die, even if Aerrow showed up, all it would take was a quick thrust into his chest and it would be over. He closed his eyes and turned away, his brows furrowing as he braced himself.

He wasn't sure what to expect, he'd been cut by blades before, suffered blows to the face, and endured unimaginable pain. But he didn't know what it would feel like, to have a blade shoved through his body. Would he feel it at all? Would Harrier stab him where it would be too quick to notice?

He was not expecting what he felt. It was warm. He felt a tingle in his stomach and his breath hitched. His eyes snapped open and he looked at Harrier, utterly aghast and severely confused. But Harrier's expression was unreadable, because Dark Ace had never been good at reading people's feelings or intentions.

The golden sword had been sheathed. Instead of killing him, Harrier was holding his hand. The next thing Dark Ace knew, he was being pulled out of the alley. Just before reaching the opening, Harrier checked the streets, and then they ran out together. The Sky Knight was leading the Cyclonian away from the city center.

OoOo.

PLEASE READ IF YOU WANT SOME CLARIFICATION ON WHAT JUST HAPPENED

In the series, every interaction between Dark Ace and Harrier gives me the implication that they used to be friends. In the code episode when Harrier gives the phoenix crystal to Dark Ace, the Storm Hawks insult Harrier and tell him he doesn't know who he's dealing with. But they're wrong, of course Harrier knows who he's dealing with, he was there when Dark Ace betrayed the original Storm Hawks, and he was there when he used the aurora stone on the Sky Knights. So how could he possibly trust him and call him honourable? My theory is that before the betrayal they were good friends, Dark Ace exploits this and manipulates him in the code episode. Plus the way they act around each other seems more laid back compared to the other Sky Knights, Harrier is comfortable standing beside him, and Dark Ace even puts a hand on his shoulder. Plus when they're fighting in the air Harrier says "Those who fight with honour, will always prevail." And then Dark Ace comes back with "Times have changed." I can't help but feel like it's a bit of a metaphor for the relationship they used to have, especially the 'times have changed' bit. There's history there, I swear. I think about this a lot... I have too much time on my hands =_=

I'm trying to keep everyone in character, and keep the relationships realistic ish, and while this is just a headcanon it seems pretty accurate in my opinion. Give me your thoughts on it.