The Stain of Atmos (Storm Hawks AU)

Chapter Three - First Blood

Two years have passed since Stain took Dove under his wing. Since losing everything, Dove has committed herself full to both his training and ideology. And how with her training complete, Dove is now a soldier of Stain's crusade against the Cyclonians.

Stain: When you came to me, you had nothing. But now your training is complete. Rise Dove. Rise now a soldier of Atmos!

Dove rises with pride in both herself and her mentor.

Dove: I'm ready master. Where do we begin?

Stain: In Terra Zartacla , there is a Cyclonian prison run by Warden Moss. The prisoners there are Sky Knights. Moss works them to death in wretched conditions. That prison will our first target.

Dove: Warden Moss will die. As will any Cyclonian who oppose us!

Stain smiled at his student's conviction. He then gives her weapons: an Energy Blade and a Wristblade. Dove smiles as he arms herself.

Dove: Thank you Stain.

Stain: Remember Definitely be, the Cyclonians do not deserve mercy. They seek to oppress Atmos and all it's people. Always remember that.

With that being said, Stain and Dove got on their skimmers and left their hideout on Terra Neverlandis for their destination on Terra Zartacla. They soon make it to the jungle surrounding the Cyclonian prison.

Stain: We'll hide the skimmers and walk from here.

Dove then covers both skimmers using branches and leaves. After that, Stain and Dove begin traversing through the forest. As they do, they spot two Talons.

Talon #1: Warden Moss sounded pissed.

Talon: #2: How would you feel if a Sky Knight came in and started causing trouble?

Talon #1: A Sky Knight here? Must have a death wish!

Talon #2: Apparently he's one of the Storm Hawks.

Talon #1: Stork Hawks? Ha! They'd never get past me! They're as good as dead and I'll be famous across all of Atmos!

Talon #2: Whatever. Just keep looking!

As the Talons continue their patrol, Stain communicates a plan to Dove using sign language. Dove nods as she sneaks towards on of the Talons and drives her Wristblades into one of the Talon's back. The other Talon sees this.

Talon: Hey! What the fuck are you doing?!

But before the Talon could attack Dove, Stain throws a small Crystal Blade at the Talon's neck, killing him. After killing the Talons, the two Cyclonian Killers look down on the dead Talons.

Stain: Let's keep moving. There's more when that came from.

Dove saw the two Talons not as human beings, but as monsters who needed to die. After a long trek, Stain and Dove reach the entrance to the prison.

Dove: What's the plan?

Stain: Simple. Kill any Talon that comes in our way. We get to Warden Moss and kill him.

Dove: What about the Storm Hawks?

Stain: No harm will come to them as long as they stay out of our way.

As Stain said that, Dove couldn't help but feel concern for the Storm Hawks. They had help her many times over. But for now, the mission was all that mattered. In the warden's office, Moss is preparing for an inspection from Dark Ace when his right hand man Hamish rushes into the room.

Hamish: Boss! Boss! We got trouble!

Moss: What are you going on about Hamish? I thought I told you boys to go out their and deal with that Sky Knight! He couldn't have gotten far!

Hamish: It's not the Sky Knight! It's err......

But before Hamish could answer, a Crystal Sword stabs Hamish through the door, killing him. The door opens as Stain and Dove walk through.

Moss: The Cyclonian Killer?!

Stain: Your hour of judgement is here, Warden Moss!

Moss: Do you have any idea what you two just walked into?! There's no escape!

Moss then pulls out his Energy Whip and attacks the two Cyclonian Killers, but Doves uses her Energy Blade to cut off Moss's hand, disarming him.

Stain: You're right Warden. There is no escape.....from us. Dove. He's yours.

Dove looks down on the disarmed Warden with hate and contempt in her eyes.

Dove: Warden Moss. You are charged for crimes against Atmos! You watched as the Sky Knights who are captives in your prison work themselves to death!

Moss: Feel free to join them if you care so much!

Dove: For your crimes, I sentence you to death.

Without hesitation, Dove slashes at Moss's throat with her Energy Blade. She then proceeds to repeatedly stab Moss in the chest with her Wristblades. Stain watches with eagle eyes as he watches Dove release her anger and fury upon the Cyclonian Warden. When she was finished she looked upon Moss's dead body with no pleasure or remorse, simply contempt.

Dove: (So it begins.....)

Stain then puts his hand on Dove's shoulder and smiles upon her.

Stain: You did well Dove. Let this be the first of many Cyclonians to fall by your blade.

Dove smiled as she looked upon the security footage and sees the Storm Hawks making their way through the prison.

Dove: The Storm Hawks.......

Stain: We don't have time to deal with them.

Dove: They'll most likely be here for the prisoners.

Stain: Then let us give them a hand.

Stain then presses a button on the warden's desk. Pressing it caused all the cells in the prison to open, releasing all the captive Sky Knights.

Stain: We must leave. Our mission is done here.

Dove: Right.

Stain: Let the Cyclonians know it was us.

Dove then takes her Wristblades to carve an x on the Cyclonian banner in the warden's office to let the Cyclonians know that it was the work of the Cyclonian Killer. After that, Stain and Dove then take the opportunity to get out of the Cyclonian prison and go for their skimmers to escape from Terra Zartacla.