Author's notes:

Sorry for the incredibly long wait on this. My house was broken into at the end of last year and computer was among the things that was stolen. So now after finally replacing my computer and an unfortunate bout of depression, here is the next chapter.

Grim Reminder

Cyclonis shivered as she awoke, her mind still reeling from the nauseating memories of that blasted sky night. The holding cell was cold, which did nothing for her aching body which protested as she sat up. The effects of the binding sickness had lessened since that battle with Fisher, but she was still a long way from being cured. The affliction The Far Side had inflicted on her, was more than just a humiliation. It severed her natural connection to crystals, and without the Dark Ace she had lost the last conduit for her power. It was fortunate that the binding had worked with Aerrow, if it had not, she was sure the sickness would have killed her with in weeks. Looking at how the symptoms have lessened, she now maybe had a few more months. She pulled her legs to her chest with a sigh. "Is this what I, the almighty Cyclonis has really been reduced to. A pawn."

Two guards approached her cell, each held an energy lance. "We've been ordered to escort you to the courtyard. It looks like Commander Piper wishes to push ahead your trial."

'So, this was it.' She thought to herself, the end of the mighty empress of Cyclonia. "Very well. Let's get this over with."

The courtyard was still in the process of being cleaned from the attack. Before the Crystal witch stood a gathering of sky knights who all seemed to be in a heated argument but quickly quieted down as they saw the prisoner approaching.

Standing before this mix matched council of random sky knights as they stood in a semicircle around her. Most of them Cyclonis recognized from the old war only one or two seemed unfamiliar. At the center of this group stood a rather annoyed looking Piper and not red-haired sky knight. To her left was a sky knight Cyclonis had gone up against a few times in the past, Starling.

Starling was the first to speak. "We should wait for Aerrow." The was an obvious edge to her voice, like she had just finished being in an argument.

"Aerrow, is still unconscious." Piper responded coldly. "Which brings us to the matter at hand. Cyclonis is a threat and being held in the heart of Atmos just makes her an even bigger one."

Cyclonis rolled her eyes, the moment their precious leader was out of the picture they started arguing with one another. "If you're going to kill, just get on with it. I rather die than listen to you bicker like children." The former empress could hardly contain her laughter. "All this time I thought Piper was threat I had to deal with, but in truth it was always Aerrow. Without him you squabble and bicker like a bunch of children."

Piper glared at Cyclonis as she laughed. "How dare you!?

"Easily!" Cyclonis said defiantly, "You have enemies at your doorstep, and you worry about me a broken mage with no power." Her eyes burned with hatred. Hatred for how weak she had become, hatred for the situation she was in, hatred for her capturers, but most of all her hatred for the Far side and how they have humiliated her time and time again. "As much as it pains me to agree with that blasted Sky knight, but I know the horrors that the Far side has in waiting for us. You think you might have everything under control since you pushed them back in your first encounter." She scanned the group as she seethed in her rage. "That was only a fraction of their power, they saw you as nothing more than a fly that need to be swatted but now you showed your strength, and they will now show you theirs."

The makeshift council stood their stunned by the sudden outburst of the crystal witch. "Then fight along side us." The familiar voice of Aerrow called out from behind group.

"Aerrow?" Piper was the first to speak up at the sight of there their now conscious leader. "Are.. are you okay? Should you even be up?"

The sky commander pushed through the sky knights that made up the council, with an unusual commanding presence. His emerald gaze seemingly looking to the horizon. "I was worried your time in the Far side had changed you, but its good to know that the passion you had when we were enemies hasn't vanished." A smirk creeped onto his face.

Cyclonis stared at the leader of the sky knights as her mind wondered back to her dream. The offer of a place to belonged echoed in her head, which she promptly pushed the thought out. She mirrored his smirk with one of her own. "It's about time someone took control of this situation." The Crystal witch bowed mockingly. "I gave you my answer during the attack. I want to make them suffer for the humiliation the suffered upon me. And siding with you is the best way to do that."

Aerrow pulled a key from his pocket and undid the restraints on his old enemy's arms, a knowing smirk on his face. "The Far Side isn't ready for the two of us teaming up."

"Naturally." She said coldly.

"I object to this!" Piper said watching this unnatural display of comradery between these two lifelong foes. "You can't honestly expect us to trust her?"

"I don't." Aerrow spoke with his usual cheery demeanor that had been missing for some time. "On the other hand, I do expect you to trust me."

Starling and Piper shared a glance before a third individual stepped forward, blowing a bubble of chewing gum. Suzy Lu a blizzarian and leader of the Absolute Zeros and one of the leading groups of sky knights. "Well, I can't say I'm fond of the idea of teaming up with Cyclonis, but Aerrow has never steered us wrong. If he believes this is the right path, who are we to disagree."

"I couldn't agree more." A new voice commented, yet no one could place who had spoken up. The group quickly looked around, before a puff of smoke appeared which momentarily obscured their vision. A few of the knights reached for their weapons as an unknown figure appeared leaning against Aerrow. "You know I'm actually glad you two managed to make an alliance on your own. Really makes my job easier."

Aerrow flinched in surprise, ready to attack this stranger, but paused upon recognized him. "Arygyn?"

The surprise guest smiled. "Bingo!" The hero trainer stepped away from Aerrow and glanced around the keep. "Not bad… not bad at all. Got to say kid you did well in ten. Years. Definitely one of the best pupils."

"Why are you here? I thought the guardians left Atmos." Aerrow questioned.

Arygyn shoulders sunk slightly. "We did." Tapping his staff on the ground while trying to find the words to say. "We had a disagreement about how to proceed with the current situation." Slowly he began to pace while scratching the back of his head. "To be honest, the situation is dire, and our options are limited." Stopping he glanced at Aerrow. "Do you remember what we said before yours and hers final confrontation."

The Sky knights thought for a moment. "That the future of Atmos didn't include me."

"Exactly." The normally hyper guardian sighed deeply. "You weren't supposed to survive that battle." He locked eyes with Aerrow. "The guardians agreed that the best option for Atmos on that day was the death of both Cyclonis and yourself." A grim aura fell onto the group at these words. "But against all odds you both survived. Unfortunately, your survival has put Atmos onto the path of war. Now the die has been cast and what is done cannot be undone." He pointed his staff at Aerrow. "The Guardians have voted to let Atmos continue down this current path despite the danger and not aid you."

"Then why are you hear?" Starling inquired.

"Because Atmos' future shifted unexpectedly yesterday. And has filled me with hope that you can pull through the hellish battles that are to come." Arygyn's gaze turned to Cyclonis. "To secure Atmos' future you must understand your family's sin." Then his attention back to Aerrow. "And you must understand the weight of name Storm Hawks and how its name was written into the lost history Atmos." He pushes past Aerrow. "Head to the Great Expanse, convince the Siren to open the pathway, and you shall have the knowledge to stop Atmos's oldest enemy." Before anyone could ask a question or protest to such a suicidal mission, in a flash of light Arygyn turned in to a bird and flew off.

"The Great Expanse?" Piper questioned. "We barely made our way-out last time and now he wants us to fly directly into it and what talk to the Siren?"

Aerrow was silent for a moment his mind processing the information just thrusted upon him. This was a path that could lead to victory, Arygyn has never pushed him down the wrong path. However, the great expanse was long ways of way, what if another attack happened while he was on this journey. His gaze raised to those who had rallied under him, all these people and countless others believed in him to lead. Could he leave? "Starling?"

His second immediately approached him. "What do you need Aerrow?"

"I'm leaving you in command. You're the best suited to the task." He placed a nervous hand on her shoulder. "I need to go down this path."

Starling lifted a hand to meet his and gave an understanding smile. "I understand. I'll hold down the fort. I'll protect everything in your stead."

"Thank you I couldn't do this without you." His body seemed to relax with her agreeing.

"I know." She said with a hint of playful smugness.

Aerrow quickly gathered the old members of the Storm Hawks and explained the situation. United again under a cause to save Atmos the old Storm Hawk reformed with a few added members, along with the rather unexpected addition of Cyclonis.