That Sweet Sweet Poison Called Love

   The red skies of Cyclonia showed even more stormy than usual. The air even in the grand hall held a sort of static to it. Like things were ready to explode.
  It wasn't hard to imagine why as the hall was filled of cyclonia's finest, or most ruthless as they'd probably prefer to be called.
  Master Cyclonis sat at the head of the table on her usual throne of malice and ire. Dark Ace to her left with Snipe, Ravess and Repton down the table on each side. However one could note quite easily that they were all more concerned with a new addition to this table than with the point of the actual meeting.
  Even with victory so close at hand. They couldn't help but feel slightly defeated.
  "It's quite strange that at the hour of our impending conquest my greatest generals all seem quite... distracted." Cyclonis noted with a dark chuckle. A similar sound came from her right as a dark skinned hand reached out and set itself atop of the master's as it rested on her throne.
  "I'm sure they're just excited for the war to almost be over, darling."
  The general's eyes all bugged to wide as dinner plates watching the display.
  Cyclonis smirked. "You're right my Angel, I'm sure they're just excited." Following Cyclonis' eyes as she drank in the sight at her side. Crawling slowly up the dark legs wrapped in dark red, maroon and purple. Climbing passed the shiny electrum sigil of Cyclonia. Up the thin nape of her neck crossed the shining necklace with a glittering diamond crystal hung from it. Up to the glistering yet somehow hollow eyes of the Storm Hawk Piper.
   The generals all watch with a mix of confusion, disgust and anger. Most of the anger coming from Snipe who was practically grinding his teeth.
  "Something to say Snipe?" Cyclonis remarks without taking her eyes off Piper.
  "Master Cyclonis!" He growled. "What is she doing here?!?" The 'she' in his statement dripped with enough malice to drown a puppy. Dark Ace was slightly impressed by the outrage in his tone especially when addressing Cyclonis. Normally the bullheaded man would be quaking at the knees but apparently the presence of an enemy had ignited enough fight in him to quiet the cowardice.
   "She." The queen of Cyclonia stated calmly. "Is my new Royal consort." Cyclonis declared this with such matter of factness that even Dark Ace had to stop himself from gaping.
  Cyclonis cast her wrathful gaze over her generals and with a low growl said. "That's odd, I could have sworn I just gave you all wonderful news yet I hear no congratulations." Her warning was clear enough as the generals began applauding awkwardly. Piper giggled at their looks of fear and shock.
  "Much better." Cyclonis knit her fingers as she leaned forward.
  "Don't be so hard on them Lark." Piper snickered. At this Snipe could once again not hold in his words.
  "Lark?" He said the word as though it were made of molasses.
  Piper looked at his and the others confusion and her mouth warped into an "o" of shock as she whipped to look at Cyclonis with a teasing smile. "Do they not know?" She looked ready to erupt while Cyclonis only had a cocky smirk.
  "Lark." She pouted. "I'm offended on their behalf, they've served you for how long and don't even know your real name."
  The other generals looked amongst each other except for Dark Ace. The former sky knight was the only one aware of the details of Cyclonis' adventure on board the Condor and her choice to use her real name as her alias. But even with this knowledge this was a situation he hadn't expected. The idea of Piper addressing the real Cyclonis like this... was concerning.
   Piper leaned forward to Snipe in particular.
  "Go on, say it, say "hello Master Lark" come on you can do it."
  "I don't take orders from Storm Hawks!" Snipe snarled at the smaller woman.
  "Well we all know that's not entirely true." Piper tilted her head knowingly. "After all you get bossed around by Dark Ace all the time and he's an OG."
  It was now the Dark Ace's turn to be in the spot light which he didn't much appreciate. Nor did he appreciate that Master Cyclonis seemed more than content to let her pet Storm Hawk have free rein of this meeting.
  "He also killed the other Storm Hawks." Ravess added.
   "No one's talking to you Ravess." Piper stated so directly it ignited the third pause of shock for the night.
  "I want to hear your brother say it." She stared. "He's oh so loyal after all. The most loyal. He can't even think without his master's orders." Piper smirked. "So I want to hear him say it."
   If Ravess was as offended by the remark as her brother was she didn't have time to show it as Snipe sprang to his feet.
  "You don't talk to me like that!" Snipe roared.   "I am a loyal general of Master Cyclonis!"
   "Lark."
   "I have devoted my life to ensuring Master Cyclonis' goals are met!"
  "Lark."
  "I will not stand here and be disrespected by some common trollope!"
  "That's a big word for you."
  "I don't care if you are some royal consort I will not let you sit here and disrespect the high council of Master Lar-
  Snipe froze as he realized what he just said. His face frozen mid shout. The other generals all looked like they were about to witness someone spontaneously combust. Cyclonis arched a single brow.
   Piper grinned ear to ear resting her chin on her palms.
  The thoughts running through Snipe's head were entirely unreadable. Without a word he closed his mouth. Gently pushed in his chair. Marched over to the door. Opened it, stepped out and closed the door behind himself.
  "Wow." Piper said breaking the silence. "That was like watching a slow plane crash." Piper remarked with a light giggle. "I'm sorry darling that outburst ruined your meeting should we postpone?" Piper looked to Cyclonis as the other generals continued to process what just happened.
  "No need, I'm sure the others would have to repeat my glorious plan to Snipe several times anyway, he won't miss anything." Cyclonis brushed away the concern with only a light chuckle of her own.
  "You're right, so who's next?" Piper grinned.
  "What is this?" Repton hissed. "Are we being tested or something?" His snarl would be impressive if they hadn't just watched the largest man in the room walk out defeated. "Whoever can keep their cool against this Storm Hawk gets a prize?"
  "What a poetic choice of words." Piper smiled that hollow smile again. As bright and bubbly as she was in the presence of Lark there was no joy behind her smile only an empty darkness.
  "How does it feel knowing your favorite hang out spot was turned into a frozen paradise by the Absolute Zero squad?" Piper smirked maliciously. "Ya know before you blew it up of course. Costing Cyclonia a large practically free terra to colonize."
   Repton looked like he was the one frozen now. "W-Well I-
  "You're right that's in the past." Piper interrupted. "Let's talk about the future." Her eyes knit in an all too malicious smile. "Like how have you made adjustments to the defenses of Terra Bogata, ya know after they were devastated by Finn of all people."
  The jab to his ego looked more like a physical jab to Repton's gut. Before he could sputter out a response Piper was already onto the next topic.
  "Or maybe we should talk about how your elite squad of raptors was taken down by Stork... in a souped up dune buggy... while they were super charged by Lark."
  Repton's jaw hung open searching for a response.
  "I mean for heaven's sake the man could barely fly something smaller than the Condor and he took out your elites with a glorified rodeo bull routine." Piper laughed, Repton felt his anger boil over like the lava pools that almost over took Terra Dune.
  "How does it feel knowing your brother liked us more than you?"
  "That's it!!!" Repton lunged across the table pulling his energy blade out to cleave Piper in two. Piper for her part sat perfectly still wearing the smirk of victory quite well. Repton made it about half way across the table before being frozen in mid air.
  Cyclonis' staff glowed dully as she held the raptor frozen in the air. "Repton, I think you need to... cool off." She said with just the slightest rasp of her tone to denote that her anger was well and truly real.
  Repton felt his blood go from boiling with rage to running colder than Blizzaris.
  Cyclonis waved her staff and Repton bounced off the far wall with a thud that sounded like church bells ringing.
  "You may be dismissed Repton." Cyclonis punctuated the statement with the rap of her staff in the floor. The raptor did not need to be told twice practically bolting out the door.
  "And then there were two." Piper knit her fingers and leaned forward smiling at Lark. "Shall I guess who's next?"
  "Do tell my angel." Cyclonis purred gently taking Piper's chin in her hand.
  "Dark Ace is too loyal. No matter what I say he won't walk out... but Ravess." Piper and Cyclonis both turned to look at the surprisingly quiet woman general.
  "I can only guess at what she thinks seeing us together." Piper's smirk was devilish, far too malicious to ever be worn by a hero.
  "Oh? You think she disapproves?" Lark asked her eyes sliding from her consort's lips to the other general who was beginning ti sweat.
  "Disapprove? No rather she is jealous." Piper purred.
  "Jealous?" Lark quirked a brow.
  "I can only imagine what thoughts are going through her mind." Piper whispered just loud enough to send a shiver down Lark's neck.
   "Why is it her?"
   "Why did no one tell me?"
   "If it had to be anyone why a Storm Hawk?"
   "Why her and not..."
   "Me?"
   With each subtle sentence color drained from Ravess' face like her mind was being read. If she had the physical ability to look her master in the eye she lacked the mental and spiritual means as she refused to move her head from staring at the table.
   "Is this true Ravess?" Cyclonis asked.
  Ravess gave no response. No harsh word, no sonnet or symphony in protest. Instead, quiet as a mouse, the general stood up and walked out the loudest sound she made was the click of her boots on the floor as she vanished.
  "Very impressive indeed." Cyclonis mused cupping Piper's face. "If you can see through them then seeing through the rest of Atmosia will be child's play." She grinned.
  "Whatever you wish, my darling, I live only for you." Piper purred back their lips brushed dangerously close but were interrupted by a cough from the last occupant of the meeting.
  "I take it the meeting is over." Dark Ace sneered.
  "I suppose so." Cyclonis stood quickly. "Piper can write up the plan for you Dark Ace and you my trusted general can tell the others. I believe I will go have a bath prepared." Cyclonis clicked her tongue. "I want to look my best when I win."
  "You always look your best darling." Piper smiled.
  "You're too kind." Cyclonis slid away her steps invisible beneath her cloak.
   Dark Ace was left alone with the Storm Hawk. Every instinct in his body told him to strike her down. To crush her under his boot. To let her rest in flames with her crew. But instead he stood and looked at her.
  "I don't know what you're planning but you won't succeed Storm Hawk." Dark Ace hissed the name like the darkest insult.
  Piper giggled. Actually giggled. Completely unfazed by the threat she almost couldn't contain her laughter.
  "Is something funny?" The dark knight seethed.
  "Yes." Piper smiled. "I'm not a Storm Hawk." She looked at him with those hollow lightless eyes. "Piper the Storm Hawk is dead. She died on the Condor with her brothers... because of you." She stepped around the conference table letting her hand glide along tracing the throne of Cyclonis. "There's only one Storm Hawk left and don't worry they'll join the rest soon." She giggled again. Her giggle is as hollow as the rest of her. It's not real.
  "No I'm no Storm Hawk." She begins. "I'm just an empty shell." She grips the edge of the throne twirling around and leaning back to keep her eyes on the Dark Ace and his confused face.
  "But much like the noble cashew this shell is filled with poison." She purrs. "The poison that will rot Cyclonia from within. That sweet sweet poison called Love."
  "She doesn't love you." Dark Ace snarls.
  "Oh but she does." Piper whirls again coming right up to the Dark Ace's face. "And more importantly she loves me more than you."
  Dark Ace pushes her away but her smug grin remains even as she hits the floor.
  "And for my love in return she will do whatever I want."
  Dark Ace freezes. He looks down at the woman splayed on the floor as she slowly rises back up.
   "Piper oh Piper, won't you please be my bride?" She mimics Lark's voice almost too perfectly.
  "Lark dear Lark, I would think it uncouth to celebrate a wedding during a war." She answers.
  "Piper oh Piper, won't you please help me conquer this world?"
  "Lark dear Lark, I will help you bring this world peace."
  "Piper oh Piper, won't you please give me an heir to my throne?"
  "Lark dear Lark." Her expression darkens. "I couldn't possible raise a child amongst traitorous scoundrels like the Dark Ace." She bites out the name as she glowers at him.
   A dawning realization sinks into the evil sky knight. Exactly what she is planning.
  "You're insane."
  "And whose fault is that?" Piper laughs. No it's not a laugh. This is something darker than even a cackle. Her eyes suddenly filled with a wild dark passion unlike anything he had ever seen. A demonic laugh from his darkest nightmares echoes through the chamber.
   "I'm order to keep me happy, to keep my love as hers and hers alone. She will do whatever I say. She will end the war. She will free Atmosia and she will give me your head on a plate."
  For the first time since learning of this new generation of Storm Hawks, Dark Ace felt a deep and true fear pass through him.
  "I've won." She smiles. "And it's all thanks to you." She stood and opened her arms as if presenting him as a trophy. "And to repay that kindness I will finish your grand life's mission."
   The Dark Ace was once again dumbstruck but what she could be implying.
  "You've dedicated your life to destroying all the Storm Hawks. You just forgot one thing." Piper smiled.
   "And what have I forgotten?" The Dark Ace growled gripping his blade.
  "You forgot that you use to be a Storm Hawk too." Her crooked grin widens at his look of realization.
  "But don't worry. I know you aren't strong enough to do what needs to be done." She gently taps his cheek. "But I am." Her whisper freezes him in place. "I am stronger now than I have ever been. And it's all because of you."
  It's not anger or regret that forces the Dark Ace to move. It's desperation. He has to stop her. He has to vanquish this demon he has allowed into his kingdom. His hand whips out pushing her back and holding her in place as his other hand lifts his blade to cleave her in half in one swing!
  "Not if I kill you here!"
   But that's where it stops.
  He sees it in her eyes first. Then the shiver goes down his spine. Then the icing on the cake. A glowing purple crystal presses against his throat.
   "I do hope you can explain yourself Dark Ace." Cyclonis- no, this is not the master of Cyclonia. This is Lark the love sick girl holding him in place.
  He cannot speak. He cannot breathe. So Piper does it for him.
  "The Dark Ace was just passionate about my plan for Cyclonia's victory." Piper smiled gently extricating herself from his grip. "But I think he needs a break before the battle." She steps passed him and links arms with Lark.
  "I see. Do get yourself composed Dark Ace. We fly at Dawn." Lark turned and steps away taking Piper with her.
   "Oh and Dark Ace." Piper called as they stepped out of the chamber. "Do join us for dinner." She smirked. "I'd hate for you to miss the main course."
  The Dark Ace fell to his knees hands slowly coming to his throat. His blood turned to ice as he realized what had happened.
  He had killed the Storm Hawks. All of them. Including himself. And in doing so he had released a demon. A demon that now had all of Cyclonia strung up on puppet strings.
  As the Dark Ace felt his spirit dwindle he heard it again. That sickening laugher echoing through the halls.
  Cyclonia was doomed.

Author Note: this one shot is something I've had in my mind for ages and finally has been set free. I have no continuation for it but I do have other stories for this franchise if this story gets any amount of likes I might consider writing them, in the mean time back to my other projects, thanks for reading