Skies and Scars

Mortal Instruments / Storm Hawks

Disclaimer; I do not own any of the MI or SH characters. Anne Cusack is mine though - all mine! Well, she's a friend of mine from school who is so amazing that I just had to include her.

Note: Hello. A Long time since I've updated - I know. Oops. It's schools fault - it always is.

Foreword:

Atmos; the land of thousands of scattered mountains known as terras, each guarded by their own Sky Knight against wild beast, rouges, super natural forces but worst of all, the Cyclonians. Master Cyclonis has opened the door to the Far Side of Atmos and has found a supernatural force much greater then her Storm Machine. The Storm Hawks led by Aerrow are ready to fight but they'll need a little help from someone a little closer to home then they may think.

As we were, so perfect, so happy.
They'll remember, only our smiles 'cause that's all they've seen.
Long since dried, when we are found, are the tears in which we had drowned.
As we were, so perfect, so happy.

Rise Against, The Approaching Curve

At Cyclonia

"I'm back Dark Ace, did you miss me?" Master Cyclonis drawled, gliding down the steps to see her faithful servant waiting.

"Was your mission fruitful?" he asked, bowing at her feet.

"Oh, trust me Dark Ace. I've found something that even the pitiful Storm Hawks won't be able to handle," she chuckled. "There's someone I'd like you to meet." The door way glitched with light again, as someone began walking through. A tall boy, with dark black curls and matching eyes stepped on to the platform.

"Sebastian, this is Dark Ace. Dark Ace, this is my Shadowhunter," she said, a small smile stretching across her face. The boy looked up, and smiled too.

Chapter 4. Portals and Betrayal

"Shadowhunter? He doesn't look like a Shadow Crawler," Ace frowned, staring down the new boy. He kept to a mere whisper, looking past his Master to Sebastian. A slow smirk crossed her face.

"Oh, he's no Shadow Crawler," she laughed, her chuckles like church bells. "He is my new weapon. Atmos will be ours within the month. My plan is ready to go ahead, once I have made a few adjustments with my new friend of course."

"Can't wait," the boy smiled, his eyes shining. Ace shuddered at his words, each syllable like an icicle into his ears. There was something wrong; dark. Darker for even his tastes. The boy named Sebastian began to walk down the steps, carelessly, towards Cyclonis and her outstretched hand. In the new light, Ace could see the swirling dark patterns on his arms, chest and shoulders. Dark tattoos? Sudden guilt took over him as he remembered a personal memory.

"Master Cyclonis... As you plan, may I attend to some of my personal matters? That we spoke of earlier?" he said, bowing as she approached him again - Sebastian beside her.

"Oh yes, your personal... package? You may go. But I want you back soon. The plans are almost ready, just a small number of changes and it'll be put into action. You have two days."

"With regards Master, even I cannot ride to the other side of the Atmos and back in two days. Please, allow three…"

"Quiet!" she yelled, her hood uncurling from around her eyes. "You will be back in two days or suffer the consequences. And you know how much I hate late comers."

"Very well, Master," he huffed, bowing his leave. Master Cyclonis flickered her eyes in anger but was stopped from lashing out by Sebastian's white hand; cold and steady around her wrist. She faltered under his grip and gave in, loosening her hold on her staff.

"Come, I will show you your room," she said, entwining her arm with Sebastian's. He smiled slightly, his dark eyes glinting in the darkness.

Flashback

"I'll come back Cusey. I'll be back," the voice said on the other end of the receiver, his voice cracking as the skimmer flew further away from her. She fell to her knees, feeling the tremble of an approaching footstep.

"I'll take that," a voice sneered, the receiver in her hand breaking as a hand smacked it out of hers. She feel forward into the dust, choking, her knees giving way. Her arms shaking, she pulled herself up onto her legs, unsteady, in front of the person. A hollow pit in her stomach told her who it was; the Dark Ace. She had heard of him; how he had betrayed the rebellion and the Storm Hawks to Cyclonia. He was dangerous, reckless and inhumane… the list would go on. Her fringe hanged across her eyes, her breathing ragged from the dust. In the distance, she heard the cries of Darla and Graham being pulled form the cottage out into the open air. Holding back a tear, she looked up into the waiting eyes of the… boy?

"Do I surprise you little girl?" he jeered, folding his arms. He was only just older than Aerrow by the looks of him; the young cheeks still pink from the excitement of riding and the twinkling eyes of a child. His black hair shone in the setting sunlight, reflecting light into his dark eyes. Anne closed her mouth and stood up straight.

"No, I'm disappointed," she smiled. The boys smirk vanished. "I'd of thought Cyclonia would have been a little less desperate. I mean, recruiting little boys to do their dirty work. What do you get for this? A sweet and a pat on the back?"

"Shut up," he groaned, picking her up over his shoulder. "I am not a little boy."

"And I'm not a little girl," she said through gritted teeth, not struggling against his grip as he began walking towards the rest of the Cyclonians.

"Put that one in with the older two," ordered a tall man in a commanders jacket.

"No, she's staying with me," the boy barked, dropping Anne onto the seat of his skimmer.

"If you say so, Dark Ace," saluted the man, turning to his men and barking orders. The boy stuck his tongue out at the man's turned back and then looked at Anne.

"You! You're the Dark Ace?" she giggled, covering her face with her hands. "Please…"

"Hate to burst your bubble," he said, pulling out his FireBolt crystal and holding it up in her face. The giggling stopped, ice running through her veins.

"But… you're just a boy."

"Yeah, and you're just a girl but I'm pretty sure Master Cyclonis didn't send me all the way here just for a girl."

End Flashback

Her eyes opened quickly, her breathing fast and irregular. Sweat trickled down her back, hair sticking to her face. Anne shrugged from under Aerrow's heavy arm, squirming to get free. The spare room on the Condor was currently used as a janitor's closet and (much to her dismay) she would have to share a room with Aerrow until Junko got rid of the ice crystals fragments in the air vent. It was hot and sticky in Aerrow's room, his small window barely opening to allow the rapidly cooling air to flow in or the humid air in the room to flow out. It was late afternoon of her first day on the Condor, the sun quickly setting and the temperature staring to cool. Thank God, she thought. They had fallen asleep on his small bed as he told her of all the adventures he and the other Storm Hawks had over the years. There had been the competition with the Rex Guardians for a Phoenix Crystal, then the time they went to the Wastelands, raced against the First Degree Burners and fighting the Cyclonians. Every time he mentioned a fight, his eyes would light up with excitement. It was kind of scary to her; Aerrow was one for danger but this was different. It was as if he enjoyed it. It reminded her of… of him.

Flashback

"Why do you always do that?" the young man asked, playing with a curl that had escaped her braid.

"What?" Anne asked, looking up into his eyes.

"Look into the sunset. Every afternoon, you sit here. I know you do. It's like… It's like you're waiting for something to happen. And then, as the sun sets, you look disappointed. Almost, let down. Why is that?" he asked again, stroking her cheek with his free hand.

"I do not do that!" she snapped, playfully slapping his wrist. "Anyways, why would I need anything? I've got you."

The boy laughed, titling back his head and closing his dark black eyes, "You're too kind." He leaned in, his eyes expectant.

"Oh no, not yet, you haven't told me your news," she objected, placing a thin finger on his lips. He chuckled, low in his throat, then groaned as she propped herself up on her knees - looking down on him with her powerful blue eyes. He remained lying on the ground, his eyes fixated up on the moving clouds. Pausing for a moment, he took a breath in.

"Anne. I think that…"

"Yes?" she persisted, her heart pumping louder.

"I think that I might really sort of want to say that…"

"Just spit it out!" she laughed, shaking his arm. He sat up quickly, grabbing her shoulders and placing her underneath him on the grass. She giggled, not fighting back, and sunk into the grass.

"I - I love you. And I want you to come with me, back to my home. Forever," he said, his breathe leaving him. Her giggling died out, her chest now rising and falling in slow deliberate breathes.

"What did you say?" she whispered.

"I love you," he said again. She lay down and looked up into the sky, as the boy had done moments ago, and stared.

"Anne, please say something," he urged, fighting the silence. "I'm sorry… I thought you…" Sitting up, he sunk his face into his hands.

"Did you mean it?" she asked. "Did you mean what you said?"

"Yes," he sighed, removing his hands form his face to find her piercing blue eyes looking up at him.

"I love you too. I want to go with you; I want to live with you… I want to be with you. Because without you, I can't be me," she smiled, kissing him softly. "Cyclonia or no Cyclonia, I love you."

End Flashback

Anne sat on the edge of the balcony, her hair licked the sides of her face as the rapid wind tormented her eyes. She had spent the afternoon asleep by Aerrow's side, snuggling up to his warmth like a bug to a flame. It felt so familair - as if she had done it every night before. He had held her tight against him, his arms like bars around her waist. He had finally fallen asleep, his deep breathing constant and reassureing. It was now late evening, the sun setting red and deep in the distance - Terra Gardinia a mere speck now.

Today was the day; the day she promised she'd wait for. Funny, she thought, how I wait for years for one boy but leave in a few moments when I should be waiting for another. The guilt dug deep inside her, hurting her with every thought. Every memory.