The Stain of Atmos (Storm Hawks AU)

Chapter Nine - A Fateful Attack

Stain and Dove set out from their hideout on Terra Neverlandis to Terra Musutafu to begin their mission to eliminate Endeavor's squadron. As they arrive, Dove takes in the sight of the large Terra.

Dove: So this is Terra Musutafu? It's so big! I've never seen a Terra like this!

Stain: Thanks to All Might, Terra Musutafu has become a shining beacon of hope against the Cyclonian threat second only to Terra Atmosia. But where the Symbol of Peace thrives, so do fakes like Endeavor! We will cleanse this Terra of their filth!

Dove was more than ready to begin the mission.

Dove: I'm ready master. Let us cleanse this Terra!

Stain smiled as he and Dove began searching the Terra for members of Endeavor's squadron. As they do, they were able to track down, isolate and kill two members of Endeavor's squadron with raising too much attention. Meanwhile, the Sky Knight Ingenium heard the sound of combat coming from an alleyway.

Ingenium: (What's going on? I have to investigate!)

As Ingenium made his way through the alleyway, Stain and Dove stood over the body of their latest victim. 

Stain: Another False Sky Knight dead.....

Dove: They will all die. 

But as Stain and Dove were about to leave, they were stopped by Ingenium. As Ingenium looked around the area, he quickly realized the situation.

Ingenium: The Cyclonian Killers.....stop right there!

Dove readied herself to attack Ingenium, but Stain stopped her. 

Stain: Ingenium. We have no quarrel with you. Our quarrel is with Endeavor and all the False Sky Knights who follow him! Walk away. 

As Stain laid out his warning, Ingenium thought about the situation. He knew that the Cyclonian Killers were well beyond his league. Despite this, he couldn't simply walk away. 

Ingenium: I can't do that! I have to take you in! 

Stain and Dove quickly realized that Ingenium wasn't going to simply walk away. As Stain and Dove readied their weapons, Stain offered Ingenium one final chance to walk away.

Stain: This is your final chance Ingenium. Walk away of we will be forced to kill you. You do not need to die for Endeavor's corrupt squadron. 

Ingenium said nothing as he readied his Energy Blade. Stain lets out a sigh as he and Dove began to encircle to Ingenium. He soon realized that he was outnumbered. 

Stain: Then you leave us no choice.

Soon, Stain and Dove attacked Ingenium. Ingenium fought valiantly, but he was outmatched by the Cyclonian Killers. While his armor was able to block most of the attacks, Ingenium began to feel overwhelmed.

Ingenium: (Damn! I have to end this fight quickly!)

Ingenium then began to focus his efforts on Dove in an attempt to take her down. Dove was able to easily maneuver around the Sky Knight's attacks. She maneuvered behind him and ran her wrist gauntlets through Ingenium's lower abdomen.

Ingenium: Argh!

The intense pain from his wound caused Ingenium to drop his weapon and fall to his knees. Stain then stabbed Ingenium through the back with a dagger. Ingenium collapsed to the ground as he began to bleed out. He looked up to see Stain and Dove standing over him. His thoughts fell on his younger brother.

Ingenium: (Tenya....I'm sorry....)

Stain then raised his sword, ready to finish him off.

Stain: It didn't need to end this way. You brought this on yourself. All you had to do was walk away. 

But as Stain was ready to finish Ingenium off, Dove heard nearby voices. She peaked around the corner and saw a group of Sky Knights running to the alley.

Dove: Stain! More Sky Knights are coming!

Stain: Damn....we have to retreat! We have no choice!

Not wanting to draw anymore unnecessary attention to themselves, Stain and Dove decide to retreat from the alleyway and leave Ingenium to die. Eventually, the Cyclonian Killers reach an abandoned building. 

Stain: That was unexpected....

Dove: Should we retreat? 

Stain: No. We have to complete the mission. But we'll have to lay low for a few days. Once the heat dies down, then we'll resume our mission. 

Dove: If that is what you think is best, then I'll follow those orders.

After that, Stain and Dove then rested in the abandoned building. Meanwhile on the Condor, the Storm Hawks receive a report about an attack.

Piper: There's been an attack on Terra Musutafu!

Aerrow: Cyclonians?

Piper: N....no. It's the Cyclonian Killers.....it's Dove. 

Upon hearing the Dove was involved, the air around the Condor became tense. 

Aerrow: Who was attacked?

Piper: Two Sky Knights who were members of Endeavor's squadron. 

Finn: Endeavor?! You mean....THE Endeavor? 

Piper: That's not all. Among those attacked was Ingenium.

Junko: Wait a minute! Isn't that Tenya's brother?

Aerrow: Yeah.....

The Storm Hawks soon felt sad for both Ingenium and Iida. But before they could lose focus, Aerrow continued to ask about the case. 

Aerrow: Are they.....

Piper: The two Sky Knights in Endeavor's squadron were killed. As for Ingenium, he survived, but he sustained serious injury.

Aerrow: How serious?

Piper: He was able to recover, but he won't be able to walk again.....

Aerrow: (Tenya.....) Stork! Take us to Terra Musutafu! We're going to stop the Cyclonian Killers once and for all! 

Stork: Why am I going to regret it?

Aerrow: Piper.....let Tenya know about his brother.

Piper: You got it.

As the Condor set a course for Terra Musutafu, Aerrow's thoughts fell on Iida as events were set in motion that could shake the very foundation of Atmos. The Cyclonian Killers unknowingly set events in motion that could be their own undoing.