Chapter Nine

"Hawks, I've got bad news." Aerrow said over his headset.

Stork, standing across the dirt road playing a keyboard, grumbled his response. "Uh huh. Couldn't be any worse than my horrible disguise."

"C'mon, Stork." I said into my mic. "Cheer up. Look at the positive side: You're bringing music to the lives of the people in this city."

I heard the other Storm Hawks snicker as Stork glared at me to my spot. I was leaning on the counter of a stall I'd set up for my distraction. I wore a cloak with the hood up to protect my identity and my skin from the sun.

"The real Snipe's ahead of schedule and on his way to Piper and Junko's location. We'll try to stall Snipe out here. You two gotta hurry it up."

First up was Finn's attempt to stop Snipe. Gotta give him credit. He was able to handle it well…until he turned it into a Cyclonis and Snipe love story.

I had to agree with Snipe…Ew.

Next, Stork offered to play Snipe's favorite song.

Snipe stole his tip.

"Oh that's just rude." Stork grumbled.

Snipe looked pissed!

Then, Aerrow and Radaar appeared out of nowhere. Aerrow played his accordion while Radaar jumped around.

Snipe looked stunned and creeped out.

"That…is really creepy." Snipe said.

Aerrow and Radaar stopped. "A dancing monkey?" Aerrow asked.

"No, that outfit you're wearing." Snipe responded.

"And then there was three." I said, making a comment on how many times Aerrow had been made fun of for his outfit.

Snipe shoved Aerrow aside.

"Alice! Up to you!" Aerrow said quickly.

"I'm on it, Creepy." I teased.

Snipe walked by.

"Free samples!" I said in a peppy, Southern voice. "Just like the way Grandma made 'em."

Snipe looked over in confusion. I was a saleswoman selling several meats. No man Snipe's size would be able to resist.

It worked. Snipe shrugged and approached. I held up the tray. "Care for one?" I offered.

Snipe took one of the pieces of meat that was pierced by a toothpick and popped it in his mouth.

"Hm." He said. "This is pretty good. What is it?"

"Pork chops." I said with my accent. "My grandma had a special recipe she taught me when I was a girl."

"How much?" He asked.

"Well, I have a few packages you could have for pretty cheap pricing."

Snipe nodded and leaned against the counter.

"I have other samples you can try. I've got chicken, beef, pork…just about any meat you can think of."

"Let me try 'em. Gotta make sure I get what I can." He said, laughing.

I smiled and nodded. "This one's the chicken sampler."

Aerrow

Stork, Finn, Radaar, and I just watched as Alice easily distract him.

"How did she do that?" Finn asked.

Stork and I shrugged. This was weird. She's still getting use to Atmos and she's easily manipulating the dimwitted Cyclonian commander.

"Snipe!" I heard someone growl. I jumped at the voice, immediately bringing my guard up.

Snipe jumped too as the tall man approached. "D-Dark Ace!" He shouted. "What is it?"

"Weren't you given orders to pick up the package?" Dark Ace inquired grimly.

"Yeah but I found a vender that's selling some great meat. Try some!"

The idiot actually shoved the food into the man's mouth, making him gag.

The man just ate it them spat the toothpick to the ground. I heard Alice giggle over the headset.

"What's so funny?" Dark Ace growled at her.

"Well, you, sir." She said innocently accent, while shielding her eyes under the hood. "The expression on your face was pretty cute."

Dark Ace staggered back. I had to bit my lip to keep from busting out in laughter. The rest of the team wasn't doing much better.

I stopped as soon as Snipe made his way to the tent he was supposed to get to.

"Alice! Keep your cool! Just keep doing what you're doing!" I whisper-ordered.

Alice

Damn! I hissed mentally as I heard Aerrow's order. What do I do? I sighed mentally. Just let him go and hope for the best outcome I suppose.

"What's your aim?" Dark Ace asked. He put his hands on the counter and leaned forward. He tried to see my face but I just smiled

"Just trying to make some money, sir." I said with a heavy accent.

"IMPOSTER!" A shout sounded from the tent.

Piper and Junko came out of the tent, running and screaming with Snipe right behind them.

"Got it!" Piper shouted, holding up a black box.

"Storm Hawks, we're outta here!" Aerrow ordered.

"Later!" I said as I jumped over the counter after my friends.

I rushed over to Aerrow's skimmer when I felt myself being lifted into the air.

"ALICE!" Everyone shouted.

"If you want her back, I'll be willing to trade her for the box." Dark Ace growled, pulling me into his lap. He then sped off into the distance. He circled the terra with Snipe behind, parachuting down.

I struggled desperately as his arm around my waist tightened.

"Quit moving!" He said. "You'll fall into the Wastelands."

"Whoop-de-do!" I growled back, hood still up. "I can live with that."

"Can you?" He inquired evilly.

"Hn?"

I was then thrown off the skimmer.

"WAAHHH!" I screamed as I was plummeting. Nothing was going to ease it either. I didn't have a parachute or wings like the others.

Something grabbed my ankle and I was flying in a random direction. I looked down-or is it up?-to see the Dark Ace holding my ankle.

He yanked me back onto his lap. "No more trouble then, Little Storm Girl?" He inquired.

I sneered at him then looked away.

Looks like I'm stuck with him.

Piper

I leaned against the safe as Aerrow and Finn walked in.

"Beats me." I said, knowing he was wanting a report on what the thing was.

It was shaped like a pyramid…that's it.

"Whatever it is, we'll have to figure it out later," Aerrow said. "Right now, we need to figure out where Dark Ace and Snipe took Alice. This whole thing has put us behind on getting other stuff done around here, too."

I nodded and he, Junko, and Radaar left the room.

"Chores." Finn groaned.

I shook it off and began to leave. "I've been working on that piece of junk for so long, I can't tell day from night."

"Well, maybe you could try opening a window!" Finn shouted after me. I rolled my eyes in protest.

Finn

Just to made a point about my comment, I pounded my fist onto the counter to open the blinds of the only window in the lab.

The sun spilled into the room and hit the weird thingy.

As soon as the sun touched it, it began to float and turned inside out to reveal a glowing blue crystal on the inside. Before I could say anything to get the attention of anyone else, I was zapped with something!

Okay. So, maybe zap isn't right cuz it didn't even hurt. It more or less…it felt weird. My whole body felt tingly. It even felt like a part of me jumped out…literally!

It lasted only a second but it was enough to make me feel like I'd been running for a while.

What the?

As soon as I could see clearly again, I was freaked out in shock.

Before me…was me!

"Whoa." We said in sync.

We gasped and were both smiling.

This is so cool!

I shook my head while Other Me covered his mouth in shock. Unbelievable!

Yes! InFinnity has begun! :D

Finn: Sweet! An episode all to myself!

Junko: What about that "Domo" episode?

Finn: Oh yeah. Totally forgot about that. Wait, wasn't there another one?

Junko: Yup. Sure was.

Finn: Awesome. What's the big plot twist for this one, Alanis?

*Me glares at him; then points to chapter*

Finn: The Dark Ace?

Me: He actually plays a big part in the chapter later on.

Finn: Nice.

Alice: What's up with the new Fanfiction User stuff?

Me: I don't know. I stay off FF for 2 days and this happens? It scared me a little actually but in 3 minutes, i adjusted.

Piper: My turn now? *I nod* alanis Cross does not own Storm Hawks. They purely belong to Nerd Corps. She owns Alice and the slight OOCness of any characters that occurs.

Me: Yeah for ooc

Piper: *Blink* A-Anyway. Alice in Atmos? is a purely fanmade thing that she did after watching Alice In Wonderland (2010) at least 5 times in a row.

Me: GET READY! The big main plot is coming up! It is actually revealed a little more in the Terra Neon arc! Also, ALICE MEETS %$#!*^&$! WOOT!

*Storms Hawks & Cyclonians are in shock*

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