Minutes later the Storm Hawks (excluding Finn) and Moonshadow were making their way to a rock out-cropping not far away. The barrowed skimmers had the symbol of a yellow dragon with thunderbolts around it. "What does this mean?" yelled Aerrow. "It's the Thunder Dragon's symbol. Our symbol." shouted Moonshadow. Their voices were almost drowned out by the roar of the skimmers. "These weren't made for stealth were they?" questioned Stork. Moonshadow let out a laugh. "And to think I figured you guys were doing it on purpose. These engines run automatically. The only time we usually do what your doing is in a storm when we need to know where our other the rest of our group is." Moonshadow said chuckling to herself. The Storm Hawks all said "ohhhh" and stopped running the engines manually. The noise died down almost to nothing. "Wow. Who ever designed these must have been a genus." Piper said in aw. "Why thank you. You know there's a lot you can do if you just play around with parts." Moonshadow said. "YOU made these? Wow that is so amazing." Piper said.
Moonshadow gave her a smile and turned her skimmer into a bike. The rest of the Storm Hawks fallowed. When she parked her bike and sat down on a rock the Storm Hawks looked in longing at the skies. "Well question number one. How long have you been an enemy of Cyclonia, and why?" Moonshadow questioned. "Well, I really don't know how long, but we're enemies because we're sky knights and we destroyed Master Cyclonis's Storm Engine." Aerrow stated boldly. They had earlier agreed that he would answer all the questions. "Good. Now tell me how willing would you be to bring down the Cyclonian empire?" Moonshadow asked in a casual tone. "Very. We would be willing to give our lives to defeat the Cyclonians." Aerrow said passionately. "Good. Then would you be willing to team up with me?"
The Dark Ace strode through the halls of Cyclonia. He knew why Master Cyclonis had summoned him. She wanted to know why on all of Atmos had the troops that he had trained retreated. That was something he couldn't quite understand himself. He had brought along the commander and a troop that was there. When he reached Master Cyclonis's chambers, he knelt down one hand on his chest the other behind his back. His Master started to glare down at him then said "Why on all of Atmos did the troops you trained retreat?" "That is exactly what I can't figure out myself, Master. That is why I brought along the commander in charge and one of his troops." The Dark Ace replied. "Well, what is your story, supposed commander?" Master Cyclonis growled spitting out the last word. "We had the Storm Hawks basically ours Master. Their ship was down, fallen into the wastelands then all of a sudden a ship comes out of no where and starts blasting us. I didn't get a look at their symbol or who the were, but we were surprised and outmatched. I don't know what happen after that. That's why I brought this particular troop. Darren." The Commander said shakily looking at Darren when he finished. "Well Darren, what's your story?" Master Cyclonis questioned.
"Well, I was heading back to the ship your highness and, I saw a beam of crystal light come from the ship that was blasting us and I waited and watched in the cloud cover. The beam of light hit the Storm Hawks, and the back three, Piper, Stork, and Junko, went unconscious, but stayed on their skimmers. But Finn and Aerrow were closer to the beam and they must have miss calculated the distance because they fell of off their skimmers. A skimmer from the ship took of right away, and didn't change into flight mode. I noticed it had a dragon with what look like thunder around it as a symbol. It took a freefall trip almost touching a lava pit before it changed into flight mode. The pilot was able to grab the two before they hit. I didn't see what happen after wards because the woman that saved the boys looked up to where I was and I got out of there." Darren said his tone not quavering at all as if he told the tell a thousand times and was just telling it again to a child, not the ruler of Cyclonia.
Master Cyclonis's eyes narrowed "Darren. You shall take the place of your useless commander. And before you leave was you did say a dragon didn't you? And was the pilot by any chance a woman?" Master Cyclonis said casually. "Thank you. And yes to both questions your highness." Darren replied. "Good you may leave, both of you. But Dark Ace, you need to stay." Master Cyclonis said. The Dark Ace raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Darren and his de-ranked commander left. "The only person daring enough to make a move like that and survive is my pesky older sister." Master Cyclonis said.
"Dark Ace do you remember what happen to the girl with long black hair in that squadron you eliminated right before you joined Cyclonia?" Master Cyclonis asked. "Hmmm, it was a long time ago but yes I think I remember kicking her into a rock wall. Then a rock slide came down and fell on her. Only her right hand was visible." The Dark Ace said. "Well I think she might have survived. I want you and your troops to track her down and finish her. She might be trouble though." Master Cyclonis said. "Yes master." The Dark Ace said and proceeded to leave.