His upper body screaming with pain, Stork found it hard to breath with only his wrists holding him up. He opened his eyes, wincing slightly and looked at the thick chains holding him. He attempted to pull his arm away, but he was too weak and tired. He gave up and hung limp once more. For several minutes, he remained like that until a slight noise caught his senses. He looked to see who it was, but seeing the Master herself, he dropped his head again.

Cyclonis stalked up to him, two guards at her sides, shaking her head. "Look at you. Look at how weak the Storm Hawks have made towards a member of the strong Merbs of Atmos." She snickered.

Stork glared up, then grinned. "Heh, as if…you guys just caught me at a bad time." He responded. He sucked in a mouthful of air, and tried to put less pressure on his chest by using his legs to support him. It was helping, but was an extremely uncomfortable position.

Cyclonis shook her head, laughing slightly. "You're a brat." She snapped. Stork snorted. His smile was replaced by a scowl. "Likewise." He said bitterly. Cyclonis's grin faded at this. She turned on her heel and strode out, with her guards behind her.

Aerrow was marching with several guards behind him. Beside him was Piper. Behind them were Junko and Finn, and bringing up the rear was Melanie. The girl had her head down, and she had no expression on her face. She was thinking back to when Venom nearly threw her over the cliff. Finn had saved her life then. She was also thinking of how selflessly Aerrow had offered to rescue her boyfriend.

She bit her lip. And what had she done in return? Gotten Stork captured, and then the rest of the Storm Hawks! She clenched her fists, knowing she couldn't let her errors take them down any longer. She realized something: Even though she had her hands tied behind her back, she had an advantage. 'They shouldn't have left my hands together…' She thought, grinning…

Piper sighed and looked over at Aerrow. "Now what..?" She whispered to him. Aerrow looked over, his face serious and strong. "Don't worry, Piper. We'll get though this somehow. Don't give up." He promised in a low voice. "Hey, be quiet, you little-oof!!" The guard in front snapped, but he was hit in the face with something metal. Aerrow and Piper turned to see Melanie free of her bindings. She had her whip out, and the metal blade that was on the end of the crystal line was gone. But it shortly wheeled back, coming to Melanie and reattaching itself to the whip. Melanie grinned. She punched out the guards that lunged for her, giving Aerrow the golden opportunity to cut through his ropes and help out.

Junko and Finn helped one another, and then helped Piper. And very quickly, they were running through the trees, back to their bikes. "Way to go, Mel!" Piper was praising the girl sprinting next to her.

Melanie chuckled. "I was sick of being a burden, so…" She was saying as they approached the bikes. "Let's roll." She said, approaching her bike. She gave it life, and its engine roared. The others copied her motion and they soon were soaring across the sky.

Aerrow hadn't bothered to contact Stork again, since he was expecting the voice that had answered him earlier. Radarr was next to him, and seeing his friend's worried face, he gave a sad little sigh.

In a chamber within the tower, Venom paced back and forth, thinking about Melanie's half-moon pendant he had seen. "It was like…a forgotten memory…" He muttered to himself, putting a hand to his chin.

Outside the room, Dark Ace heard him talking to himself and shook his head. He continued on down the hall, wanting a word with Master Cyclonis.

"Why do you look so worried, Dark Ace?" Cyclonis asked slowly, her back turned to him. She crossed her arms, waiting for an answer.

Dark Ace tilted an eyebrow. "That boy, Master. Venom. It was…it was incredible…." He stammered, unsure where to go with this conversation. "It 's strange. We have been training him for just over a year, now…he took on the Storm Hawks on his own." He continued, rather shamefully.

Cyclonis turned around with an eyebrow tilted and a smile on her face as if she was teasing him. "What's the matter with that?" She chuckled.

Dark Ace got a flare in his scarlet eyes. "It's not possible! It just isn't!" He burst out. He watched her laugh, then put her hands on her hips.

"I may have a response to that…maybe." She pulled the yellow and black crystal once more. "I created this on a whim, but when I tested it, I was pleased with the result of being able to control the person I used it on. Entirely…." She turned, motioning to a man who had black markings all over him, who was sorting out raw crystals. "You there!" Cyclonis demanded, pointing to him.

"Yes, master?" The man responded, turning to her.

"Just to prove my point, Dark Ace, I'll give him something rather foolish to accomplish: Brandish your arms and run around the room, screaming." Cyclonis ordered. The man did just that, but stopped immediately when she told him to.

She turned back to Dark Ace. "See? But, that's hardly the point of this conversation." She tossed the crystal up and down. "I am not too sure of other effects the crystal may have. Perhaps it boosted his genetics to become more enduring, or, in another theory, maybe it was just the crystal's magic that made him the way he is." She shrugged. "I call the crystal the Cyclonian Mind Stealer."

Dark Ace nodded. "I understand…" He muttered and began to walk away.

"Oh, Dark Ace?"

He turned back to her.

"Try not to let you jealousy get the better of you next time, okay?"

He gritted his teeth at her snickering, and then stalked off without a word.

"I don't like that plan." Pouted Finn.

The group was on the edges of Cyclonia once more, and Piper had revealed the scheme she was thinking of during their flight.

Radarr rolled his eyes with a soft noise, looking at Aerrow. The boy was smiling, yet shaking his head. "You never really like them, Finn." He chuckled.

Finn held up a finger in his defense. "Not true! It's just when I have to be bait that I don't like the plans!" He responded rather pathetically.

Melanie's face was serious. "Finn, this is the only plan we've got. We haven't another way to approach the tower! Please…" She pleaded, clasping her hands out in front of her.

Finn blushed. "Now that you put it that way, this'll be a breeze!" He claimed, grinning. Piper rolled her eyes. She turned to the huge Wallop next to her. "Junko, you keep and eye on Finn. If he can't handle it with the guards, you have to get in there and help him out!" She said.

Junko nodded. "No problem." He answered. Aerrow smiled. "Alright, guys. Let's move!"

Stork sighed. "Augh…good thing I have the equipment for situations like this…" He sighed and strained his neck to get something hidden behind the X shape on his shirt. He winced at the pain his chest gave, but didn't give in to grab with his teeth whatever he had hidden. He slowly retracted his head, holding something between his teeth. It was a key! The end of the key, the part he held in his mouth gave an obvious hint that it was a skeleton key. He pulled his feet out so he could lift himself up to where his hands were chained. Carefully, he led the key tip into the lock, and just as he was about to twist his head to free himself, something clicked.

He gasped, reacting instantly. He dropped the key to his feet, clamped his three toes over it, and slid his legs back to a limp position, putting pressure back on his chest. He lowered his head to make it look like he was still in a weak state. He opened one eye, hearing someone come in.

"You again..?" He muttered in a low tone, seeing Cyclonis.

The girl shook her head, chuckling. "You're a foul one, aren't you?" She snorted, walking in front of him and looking into his eyes. "Just the kind of attitude we need…" She lifted the Cyclonian Mind Stealer up.

Stork stared at it, tilting an eyebrow. "What the…?" He muttered. As it began to glow, his eyes widened.

Cyclonis blinked in and out of his vision. "Stork…your mind will soon belong to me…you will fight alongside Dark Ace and Venom…with them, you will destroy the Storm Hawks…." She was saying in a haunting voice.

As she talked, visions flashed through Stork's mind. He was in a different outfit, looking completely unlike himself. He drew a weapon he had never owned…he was fighting. His friend's faces flashed through his mind. They all looked in pain as they gave silent screams. But, something welled up in side of him. He wanted that pain to befall on them. He wanted it….

He pinched his eyes shut and shook his head. "Nuh-no…get out…. get out…." He groaned. Black markings began to crawl across his face. He twisted his head more aggressively. "Stop it! Get out of my head! Get out NOW !!" He roared

Cyclonis gasped as the Mind Stealer gave a great flash and nearly threw her off her feet. She gritted her teeth, snarling at Stork.

The Merb's markings began to recede, and he looked like himself again. He was taking in deep breaths, glaring at Cyclonis.

She gave a huff, turned on her heel and stalked out of the room. She pushed a guard out of her way, and continued on. As she came back to her tower, she seemed a little calmer. She was smiling, even.

Dark Ace leaned over. "How did it go, Master?" He asked.

Cyclonis shrugged. "His will is as strong as Whidow's, but we will break through it at some point." She told. "Shouldn't be too difficult a task."

"Ah, man…I should have said 'no' to this…" Finn whined to himself. He was tiptoeing behind a trio of guards. "Stork was the distraction and look what happened to him…" He sighed, but he knew he had to do what he had to do. He stuck two fingers into his mouth and attempted to whistle. It came out a water 'pllttt.' "Oops." He muttered and looked at his fingers. "What'd I do wrong..?"

That simple noise had gotten the attention of the guards. They turned around, yelling, "Who's there?!" Seeing Finn, they were enraged. "What're you doing here?!" They sprinted at him, causing him to shriek and start running away.

Aerrow watched, hidden in the bushed. He was shaking his head. "Well, it's better than nothing." He whispered to the two girls and Radarr next to him. Melanie and Piper nodded. Radarr shook his head.

Aerrow turned, giving Junko the signal to go out and keep an eye on Finn. The large boy nodded and walked out silently, keeping to the shrubbery.

"Three…two…one, go!" Piper whispered. The group jogged to the unguarded entrance and, after checking, walked in.

"Aaand this is where we didn't think of a plan…" Aerrow winced. Radarr squawked in agreement.

Piper winced as well. "Um…should we just carry on how we saved Dove that one time?" She questioned.

She received a response of 'No.' "After last time, I think they're more alert to things like that now." The boy said. No one noticed Melanie thinking.

She gasped and held up a finger. "I've got an idea!"

Finn was still screaming as he flew across the barren land. Seeing Junko out of the corner of his eye, he began to calm down a bit, but still couldn't shake the thought of what would happen if he got caught…

Junko watched, waiting. "He seems to be doing okay- -scratch that…" Finn had slammed right into a tree. How the heck did he do that? Junko sighed and stood up. "I'd better get in there…"

The guards came up to Finn, pointing their staffs threateningly at him. The pitiful boy gave a slightly chuckle. He was terrified…

Junko cracked his knuckle busters together, watching them glow. He turned and ran out. With a great roar, he threw his fists at the ground, cracking it. The crack headed off towards the guards and a hole opened up beneath them. All yelling, they fell through, leaving Finn unharmed. He chuckled nervously. "Nice timing…"

Making sure that the cost was clear, Stork once again agonizingly placed the skeleton key in between his teeth with only his feet. He took a sharp gasp as he was finally able to drop his legs. He continued, on unlocking his left hand, then his right. Only one of his legs were chained, so he unlocked that one, and cautiously staggered out.

He unlocked the door and looked around, seeing that he was alone. He continued on, clutching his chest dearly. He paused for a second, catching his breath, then went on.

Venom was tapping his foot impatiently. "It's so familiar!" He growled and began to walk back and forth once more. He sat down on the floor, crossing his legs. "Ugh.." He leaned on his hand, sighing.

Piper, Melanie, Aerrow, and Radarr slipped through the shadows, alert of the area around them. Piper put a finger to her lips and directed them to move down a small passage, avoiding a pair of guards. Aerrow came up beside her, and they looked outside the end of the passage. Seeing it safe, they went on.

Just as they vanished around a corner, Stork slinked by, holding his chest. "There's gotta be a way out somewhere!" He muttered, turning around, watching where he was going. He noticed the same passage where Aerrow and the others passed through. "Ah…here's a suggestion…" He tilted his head. "Long and dark….meh…" He shuddered, then bit back a groan as his cracked ribs protested against his movements.

Finn and Junko watched a group of guards. "Okay, ready? One…two…THREE!" They said in unison and sprinted out two ways, babbling at them. Like they wanted, half of the group went after Finn, and the other half went after Junko. Finn looked over his shoulder, grinning at his partner. Junko nodded and skidded to a stop. He turned on his heel and roared at the group. They all cried out and instinctively turned around and began to run towards Finn.

The boy led them farthest away from the tower, span around quickly, and fired ice crystals at them, freezing the entire group where they stood. "Chica-cha…."

Junko tilted an eyebrow. "Hopefully that doesn't make too much of an affect on them." He said, rubbing the back of his head. Finn shrugged. "It shouldn't…"

Cyclonis tilted her head. "He escaped? But…how?" She asked, more to herself than to the guard who had reported Stork's flight. She turned away, flexing her fingers. She cracked her knuckles in a clench, then let it loosen slightly. She turned back, a light smile on her face.

"Don't worry about it. I'll find that rat myself." She told, but she gave the guard a look. "I'm still wondering why you, of all people, was wandering around outside, instead of inside, keeping an eye on that stupid Merb?!" She snarled, her voice demented in a hidden way.

The guard winced. Knowing he shouldn't respond, he did, anyways, "B-because, Master…the Storm Hawks…"

Cyclonis whipped around. "What about them?"

The guard swallowed nervously. "Th-they got away from the group of Talons that found them out…but, a few witnesses reported possibly seeing some of the Sky Knights." He pinched his eyes shut.

Cyclonis crossed her arms. "…Hm, take some men and get out there. Make sure Venom is among you." She ordered. "I, however, am going to look for that little escapee. Now, move it!" She walked down the hall, past a fairly annoyed-looking Dark Ace. He walked down a small hidden hall, away from the group.

Taking around the corner, he slammed into a green face. They both gave out a yell of surprise.

Stork staggered back, moaning. "Oww…" He moaned.

"You!" Dark Ace snarled.

Stork pulled a face. "You…" He twisted around and began to sprint down the hall.

Dark Ace scowled, chasing after him. "Get back here!" He roared. "No!" Stork called back, clenching his teeth fearfully.

Cyclonis had heard the noise, and she came out in front of Stork, causing him to stop and stumble back into Dark Ace. "OwOW!!" Both cried out. On the floor, Dark Ace pushed the Merb off of him. "Oww, watch it."

Cyclonis smirked. "Nice work…we've got him completely off-guard." She snickered and held up the Mind Stealer. Stork's eyes met it as he turned around. He gasped as the visions invaded his mind once more. Despite his attempts, he was far too flustered to push the things away.

He gave a groan and fell to the floor. The other two paused for a moment, then watched silently as Stork lifted himself up, not seeming to be bothered by his ribs.

He was smiling wickedly, looking that more scary with the marks on his face. Cyclonis grinned at this reaction. "Come now. We have some Knights to take care of." She told, turned, and began to walk. Stork grinned.

"I'm right behind you, Master Cyclonis…"