Chapter Seven
No Mistakes
Reo pulled out three scrolls from the mountain pile he has atop his corner of the room; he had quite a collection now most he'd 'borrowed' from the library. Reo set them down and placed them on Jade's bed. The younger sibling sat on the mattress, with Jade sitting by Reo's side as Reo explained his plans.
"In my eyes we have just three options. Just three chances to get out of here." Reo looked between the two of them. Firno had, what Reo referred to, his battle face on, like a warrior, ready for anything to be thrown at him. Jade? She seemed...distant, a small smile across her lips and an unbroken gaze, straight at Reo. Maybe this was, as the humans said, was excitement...but something other then his intellect told him it wasn't.
"Tell us what you got then, Mr Mission Specialist." Jade asked as she sniggered slightly, Reo rolled his eyes but with a tiny smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, making things drift from the current circumstance, however Reo shook his black and red locks to get his brain into gear.
"Alright, plan one, I predict that soon, Cyclonis will send either Jade or me on a mission, Firno would be following one of us, for example, say I was left here and Jade and Firno left." He spoke as if to himself. "You'd both find somewhere to his, to stay, and allow me time to escape, if Jade stays, Firno stays. Brother, you know what to do" he said as Firno nodded at this.
"Plan two; we could stow away on a battle ship, wait until its cleared for battle, and get the hell out of here; by the time they realize were gone we'll be on the other side of the Atmos."
"And plan three, Reo?" Jade smiled more and raises eyebrow, she knew exactly what this was.
"We just attack anyone who is in the way." Reo grinned his famous vampire smile.
"Surprise, surprise, Shadow Boy." Jade laughed slightly, patting Reo's back, hiding his wince at his befallen nickname.
"Right, any questions?" The pack leader asked.
"Just the one." Firno piped up as he raised his hand a little a serious look on his face "What if Cyclonis hears word of this? There's no doubt that she'll stock up security to ensure no one is able to escape"
"She wouldn't if her 'weapon' says it's a bad idea." Reo said with a confidant smirk
"How are you so sure?"
"Guys, quiet." Jade whispered; she could hear someone coming and it made her nervous, however the Shadow Brothers ignored her, too wrapped up in their own conversation.
"You know what I'm like, Firno, you know how I work." Reo said with a slight sigh, Firno frowned as he folded his arms a little
"Yes, and I know you also make mistakes." The smaller shadow said.
"What are you saying?" Reo protested at that with a slight frown, Firno was about to answer him but Jade tugged on his arm urgently to get his attention.
"Reo!" Jade whispered softly.
"What?" he asked a little annoyed at their conversation being interrupted.
"Talons are coming!" Jade hissed before she and Firno moved
Firno was already in the cupboard, papers that contained their plans back under the floor board and maps back on the pile in the corner, Reo was back in his corner and Jade on his bed by the time the Talons arrived; Jade and Reo both looked up at the same time with reflective curiosity.
"Orders from Master Cyclonis." One bellowed as if they were a Terra away.
"There's a shock." Reo rolled his red and green eyes before being pulled up by a talon bigger then him and twice his age, though the Talon realized just WHO he was talking to and was obviously fearful so gently placed Reo down as if he was made of glass.
"Alright, alright, we get the damn hint, we'll go." Jade stood up as Reo narrowed his eyes. "Besides, how bad could it be?"
*
Reo glared at Jade, for as soon as they walked into the Chamber, Cyclonis turned red crystal in hand and pinned them to the wall with the usual red glowing hand of doom
"Care to take that back?" the shadow growled annoyed, Jade laughed awkwardly at that and sweat dropped; okay so they were in trouble but Jade didn't understand why they were here, they hadn't done anything wrong…right?
"I'm beginning to want to take back my mistake." Cyclonis hissed, causing the two to silence themselves straight away.
"Master?" Reo questioned, for once, hasn't got the foggiest idea of why he was here…then it clicked, a little too late.
"Aha, this is the problem Reo War, you've lost your loyalty, and you've just proved it, by speaking without permission." Cyclonis dropped them and they landed hard on the stone and mental floor with a dull thud before she stepped closer. Reo sat up slowly before he realized, that it wasn't he that was in trouble, he looked at Jade quickly as She sat up as Cyclonis came closer to her "Jade, you have failed me"
"What? I've taught him everything he needs to know-!" Jade protested as he held her arm;' she landed on it funny when Cyclonis dropped them in mid air. And it was aching.
"You've taught him too much!" Cyclonis shrieked as she slapped her, the sound of flash hitting flash ran around the dark room as Jades face turned at the impact. The lilac haired girl grew silent a hand on the red mark on her face.
Reo suddenly felt a pang of guilt and a little anger at his master; how dare she blame Jade for this! However there was little he could do Cyclonis snapped her attention to him as she turned to face him and he looked up into her cold, dark eyes.
"So, this is the problem." Using her scarlet crystal she raised Reo up again so he was just hovering above the floor and brought Reo closer to her so she could get a closer look, staring at his collar, which was now obviously pendent-less. "This explains everything you have been feeling, Reo War. But don't worry, I shall fix it." Cyclonis whispered with a harsh smile.
"I don't want you to fix it." Reo snapped as he glared at her; he didn't want to change! He liked being the way he was! With his own mind! Free to think of whatever he wanted!
"You don't have a choice!" she hissed
Jade screamed abuse at Cyclonis, no longer caring that this was a women to be feared as Reo was drifted away to a steel table close by; all she cared about was Reo, and she was scared that he was going to revert back to square one; revert back to being cold and cruel.
"Oh, I almost forgot about you!" Cyclonis laughed as she half turned to face Jade before she waved a hand and several guards grabbed her before she could even make a run for Reo to help him "Take her away...I'm sure you'll have fun." The Talons grinned as they plucked Jade up and dragged her away while she kicked and screamed trying to escape.
"Let her go, Cyclonis!" Reo yelled wide-eyed, for the first time he felt panic, he was worried about Jade as she was dragged away like that
"No, I don't think so, Ill let her go when you're back to normal" she kissed with a dark chuckle.
"REO!" Jade's screamed, her screams echoing down the hall as she was taking down to the dungeons, knowing she'd failed; that there was nothing she could do to help Reo now.
"JADE!" Reo called back as Cyclonis attached a new crystal to his collar, he felt a wave of pain; something eh wasn't used to experiencing before he blacked out and fell into the safety of darkness'
*
Reo's eyes snapped open after god knows how long had passed; he was alone, his attuned senses automatically told him so. He sat up suddenly and plugged out all unnecessary plugs, crystallized machines died and Reo kicked himself off the table as alarms roared. Reo growled and punched the machine until the echo whined down and perished, he then stood and left without another second to spare.
Firno stood up the second Reo walked in the room. Jade attempted to, but she was injured too much to even try; she had bandaged around her neck and torso and around both arms and legs; the Talons had taken Cyclonis's; words to heart and injured her severely. The younger brother's hopes were dashed once he saw a brand new crystal around Reo's neck, his brother had been mind-controlled again, and he could do nothing. Unless...
Reo was about to bid a cold hello when his brother tackled him to the ground, before he had a chance to kick him off, Firno already had his fingers tightly around the new crystal, the pendant however sparked and electrocuted Firno, and sent him flying back onto his ass like a young girl throwing a rag doll.
"Firno!" Jade cried out as she struggled to even sit up let alone get out of bed; her voice sounded hoarse from all her previous screaming.
Reo War sat up on his elbows, about to go help his sibling when the crystal shocked him also. He bared his teeth and took it, as he should. Jade tried to reach for Firno as best as she good, a white blazing pain sent up her body with every movement; she was in agonizing pain whip marks burns cuts and bruises even a few broken ribs was the result of Jades 'fun' with the talons; she was lucky they didn't do even WORSE to her. She looked between Firno and Reo and understood enough to know this wasn't Reo's fault.
Firno groaned slightly and stood up before he realized Jade was trying to get out of bed, he was at her side in an instant "No, Jade, please you must rest." He gently made Jade lay down once more, like a caring father. "I'm fine, it wasn't a big shock..." Then Firno looked at Reo. "Brother...I-I'm-"
"Just don't touch me!" Reo barked, not in the tone of voice he wanted to use, the crystal was doing the toning for him...
Firno looked away, knowing Reo's temper was back and right now it was unpredictable with the crystal, so he decided to drop it and tend to changing Jade's bandages; they were bloody within an hour or so.
Reo cleared his throat slightly. "What happened to you?" He asked Jade, as gently as the pendant would let him, which wasn't much really, but Jade seemed to appreciate at least his softened tone
"Talons...they beat me up" she said softly; but 'beat up' was a tame word for the torture she'd had to endure.
"And her punishments not over with yet." Firno muttered as he re-wrapped the bandage on her arms, deep cuts and burns were embodied onto her flesh, Jade stopped him from wrapping it as she pulled out a small healing stone and pressed it to her burs with a wince, the burns healed enough so they at least wouldn't leave scars, she then let Firno bandage them up
"And why is that?" Reo folded his arms seemingly TRYING to look interested.
"When she's healed enough, Cyclonis is sending here away to Terra Bluster." Firno muttered softly Reo blinked at that but other than that he didn't react.
"Yes well, happy voyage." And with that, Reo turned and left.
Jade waited until he was gone before she let her tears fall though she quickly her tears away and suppressed a sob. "She's done it again...she took Reo from us." Jade whispered softly as she tried not to let her emotions overwhelm her; the Reo she knew and cared for was gone.
"We'll get him back, Jade." Firno placed a soft hand on her shoulder. "I promise, we can't give up on him now, we're so close on getting the brother I remember back." Jade nodded frantically.
"We'll get him back...we must..."
*
Alarms rang and echoed in Reo's ears. It sounded like Music to him, a small twisted grin spread across his face, causing Dark Ace to stand up again after his panting stance on the floor; the two of them had been training once again.
"War, get to the hanger bay and await my orders." Dark Ace growled as he stood, but in his gut he knew the Shadow Boy wouldn't listen to him. Reo gave an almost sarcastic salute and ran, leaving his Commander behind.
Dark Ace was right to think what he did. Reo passed the hanger bay and ran up the tower staircase; it was his favourite place to watch battles, until his cue came around. He watched Talons soar like a fleet of birds, flying toward the enemy. Shots of crystal fire burst like fireworks, the sound spread like an infectious disease, and men roared and jeered. In the meantime...he plotted.
*
Aerrow of the Storm Hawks lead the fleet of seven squadrons. This shadow problem had to be dealt with. Right now. He wanted answers from the Master herself, he knew it wouldn't be easy, but he had to try. Reo War...he was a mystery, and just like the Stratosphere, interesting and bewildering, he had to know just what he was!
The red head fought extremely well with his squadron and allies against Cyclonia's elite forces. Though, no-one knows what's so 'elite' about them. Out of the corner of his eye he barely saw a scarlet flash from the Cyclonian ranks as a skimmer fell out of the sky; it was strange, because the squadrons on his side were using everything but red crystals. Did something go wrong with the switchblade? No... As Aerrow looked again another Switchblade was destroyed in a flash a red, he noticed a figure was jumping on them like stepping stones-The Shadow Boy
Aerrow raced towards it, avoiding Cyclonian fire; why was the Shadow destroying his own team member's rides! Just as Aerrow got ready for impact, Reo was standing on the wings of his Skimmer, blades already pointing down at him.
"So, you're back for more?" Reo asked as he grinned down at the other.
"No, I came for answers." Aerrow growled back, knocking Reo's blades out of his face and jumped out of his seat. Radarr, the furry blue co-pilot took over, ducking under the sparks showering over him as the boys fought.
"I should have killed you while I had the chance!" Reo shouted over the battle and the gale force wind.
"Too bad!" Aerrow pushed Reo hard, hard enough for Reo to tumble over the edge. Lucky for the Shadow, the Condor was right below him. Reo managed to land on his feet and stood firm on the runway, looking up at Aerrow, expecting for him to follow, which Aerrow obviously did.
"Tell me where you came from, Shadow Boy!" Aerrow called as he landed, blades ready; Reo glared and growled deeply.
"You shall never know, you human parasite!" he taunted.
This was Aerrow's chance, he jumped into the air, swinging his blades as he went, and two strong bright blue shots flew off, straight into Reo's chest, sending him skidding down the runway, the shadows blades flying from his hands as he landed on his ass Once Aerrow landed, he didn't feel victorious, or triumphant, he felt like something was wrong, it had been far too east, no way this thing would let him shoot it like that.
The shadow had LET Aerrow hit him! But why Aerrow had no idea.
Reo stood again, weapons left on the ground, much to Aerrow's surprise. Reo glanced at his pendant, which was faintly cracked. He looked back up at Aerrow and a faint small smile twitched on the corner of his mouth, just as he planned! Without warning, Reo leaped backward off the Condors runway landing on a nearby Talon's switchblade, throwing him off and speeding back for Cyclonia, leaving Aerrow confused and even more interested as he and his team followed behind him.