*Dances around like Finn* Heeeey look at me; updating quicker than usual, like some person who has their life together ;P

This chapter is just a shorty, mainly because it is like the Cyclonian's version of the prologue ~

Enjoy and I don't own storm hawks, if I did, everything about these fanfics would be canon ._.

OoOo.

28 days before Aerrow finds Dark Ace.

Cyclonia was filled with her soldiers; small minded idiots, she had learned that the hard way, but regardless of what she might think, they did have some brains. Which meant underestimating them was out of the question.

Which is why the fifteen year old empress of Cyclonia, was now sat in a small shack, in the middle of a desert Terra. Everything about this arrangement was aggravating and crippling to her patience. The only thing saving her composure, was the fact she was here to meet up with soon to be allies.

However, these people needed strict lessons on how to treat a queen. Anywhere else would have been better than this dingy hut, with it's rickety table and plastic fold up chairs. What the hell did they take her for? Judging by their current uneasy expressions, she could only assume they were learning. Good.

There were five of them, each one a scientist or doctor; top of their field and aspiring to get more out of what the trade had to offer. Ah yes, she was a master at research too.

They were sat together in a row, on the opposite side of the table to Cyclonis. Oddly enough from left to right, each one looked more mentally unstable than the previous. Had they done that on purpose? No matter, it was still amusing.

The one on the far left was the youngest, and wore a pinstripe suit that once no doubt had an expensive price tag attached to it. Her expression beheld a cutthroat ambition, the kind of woman who felt superior to everyone in her field and took cruel advantage of it, one only needed to glance to see that. Miss Quinan was her name.

The next two looked a lot more edgy, and even though she was hiring them, the hell was she going to trust these people. There was an air of condescending irritance around them. Both were old, the years had not been kind and she wondered if karma was the culprit. The woman of these two was called Mrs Haynes, and if Cyclonis didn't need her, she would say she needed a smack across the face. The man, Mr Mockett, was just as obnoxious, asking too many questions. Should the time for betrayal arise she was going to burn him first.

The fourth was the oldest and fattest, with thinning hair and a miserable face. But she was used to miserable faces, and she could have considered him the most normal looking, if it weren't for the cadaverous, sadistic shade in his eyes. This guy, Mr Dexter, looked like he had crushed one too many souls, and appeared more satisfied about it than Dark Ace. His voice was dry and dead, mumbling his words, she had to shush him several times.

And the final one, another woman. While Cyclonis was honestly trying not to judge her new comrades, 'Satan's mistress', could only come to mind when this woman crossed her sight. She was small, and her face was drooping, like it was having a hard time dealing with gravity. She was definitely the worst, her records were proof of that, so many lives ruined because of her hellish experiments. She was famous for making the torture last for hours, day after day. The gallows seem like a better option for Mrs Cain's victims.

"The Sky Knights are a burden. A burden I should not still be dealing with. I have come to a resounding conclusion, as to why order has yet to be restored to the Atmos. It's time to move forward ladies and gentlemen. I am going to regain command, and destroy those who oppose me. I have selected each of you specifically, because you are talented, and are famously immoral to your subjects. Untold riches, and anything else you desire will be yours, if you swear your loyalty to me. All I ask is that you leave your current work behind, it is no longer important. Because my plans are going to require your full commitment, and I will not tolerate incompetence."

"And if we refuse?" Mockett asked.

"Oh? Forgive me, your files did not indicate that you are suicidal."

OoOoO.

This symphony lasts twenty minutes. She was well aware of this, she wasn't stupid. But jesus her wrist was killing, it was like giving a handjob while on speed. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she didn't put so much soul into it, that's what some of her squadron members had muttered before on careless occasions. Fuck them! If you don't put your heart and soul into your passion, it's nothing more than a gifted hobby.

Besides, she sounded amazing, that was enough to work through the ache. In fact, if anything, she wished the song would never end. While her face portrayed that of a woman who was concentrating hard, she was so happy when she was playing. It was the one part of her job that felt, honest. And on another note, when practice was over she was back on duty.

She finally finished, and with her precious, black violin, held an expectant, triumphant stance. But that rush of joy faded when she didn't hear an applause. She scowled and turned back to her orchestra, "The session is over. Get out."

She gave herself a few seconds alone, just that small portion of time to wish that she was living a celebrity lifestyle, with glorious stages and adoring fans. And then it was over. Because that wasn't her life. She had made her choices, and regret was for the weak. So she paraded out of the music room and down the corridors, treating them like a neverending catwalk, and why shouldn't she? She was fabulous, and the entire Terra knew it. She was perfection.

She made her way to the changing rooms, her locker was next to one of the tiled walls, every time she glimpsed at it, and everytime it pissed her off. One tile, out of this entire room, was cracked, and it was because Dark Ace had fucked one of the other female Talons in here. Slammed her right up against it, apparently hard enough to break it. Bitch. And bastard.

She swapped out of her skin tight uniform. Goodbye beautifully rounded ass, and complimenting makeup, and voluptuous cleavage. Her hair was collected up and tied back into a sensible bun. She washed her face with a cleansing wipe, grimacing when she looked in the mirror to check that she'd gotten it all.

Then reluctantly put on a white, nurses uniform, not the slutty type, the reality type, where there are pants and a shirt without any flirtatious offerings. And finally, she sighed with despair, the heels were swapped for sensible shoes. Why did the medical profession insist on ripping away any individuality?

Her uniform said prude, but her face read; woman on a mission.

Ravess marched to the hospital wing, passing other doctors and nurses. Injured and sick Talons tossing and turning in bed, or lying morbidly still, hooked up on machines. Wars were so unforgiving. But these people were only worth a glance from the corner of her eyes.

Her patient was right at the end of the ward, and out of the way, for... she wasn't sure whose sake it was for actually. In fact if anything, it would have been more sensible to give him his own room. There was a doctor currently hovering over him, but the breathing apparatus was still supporting him, tubes rooted amongst the scars on his skin.

"How is he?" She asked, sounding professional, making sure not to look at him too much, with her arms folded tightly as if they hid her racing heartbeat.

"Still stable, but no change I'm afraid."

She didn't know what to say, never knew what to say when he replied with that. Should she be sympathetic, or roll out some crap about how this was bad for business? Her indecisive silence encouraged him to continue, " To be honest, it's hard to expect change when we don't even know what did this to him. He... well, Dark Ace might be in this coma for the rest of his life."

OK, that was new, and she had no answer for such a statement. She was aware that her stern expression had dropped with surprise, and it frustrated her. Eventually the doctor left her to stand there with her worrying thoughts and silly emotions.

Ravess was Dark Ace's nurse. The archer had enrolled in this volunteer work a few days after he had been found in the forbidden temple, but not for the reason some gossipers might think. She would never correct them though, let them have their ignorant beliefs, it benefited her.

Generally her job was to check on him, keep him company, even though he would huff about not needing it if he were conscious. And she bathed him, it was hard to enjoy it though when he was hooked to a fucking life support machine. If she ever found out who had put him in such a state, she was going to skin the bastards alive.

She lowered herself onto a chair next to the bed slowly, still trying to process what he had said. "In this coma for the rest of his life." She could feel her arm stretching out to his limp hand, then carefully holding it, she was aware that there were people about, but what little compassion she had ordered her to keep going. For both their sakes.

She quickly gave it a light kiss, and for a moment expected that to make him wake up. Fucking hell, what a pathetic thought, she was actually embarrassed that she had conjured up such a poor, dumb, fantasy.

"This whole ordeal reminded me that you're not invincible. I know this is illogical to say, but I know you're going to wake up. You're too bloody stubborn and stupid not to. You wouldn't just give up and die, not for anybody. So you better punch death in the fucking face and wake up Dark Ace I swear to god."

She took a moment to check for any eavesdroppers, then leant over and whispered in his ear, "I think there's some serious shit going on now, and I... I think I need your help. So please, help me."

OoOo.

It's funny because those five scientists are all old high school teachers that I hated with a passion XD You see kids? Stay in school because it's good for something :P

Anyway if you liked this chapter, and are excited to see what happens to our lovable Talons then let me know with a review, it would be greatly appreciated :)