Lypix sharply inhaled. It smelt of hot air and Junko. She blinked; the ground was getting less liquid with every step.

“Junko?”

He looked up at the feeble noise. “Hey, how you doing?”

She smiled faintly, “I’m feeling a bit better.”

“Piper, keep up!” Stork demanded.

Junko turned to glance at the weakened girl, both he and Lypix saw them, but it was Lypix who responded.

“PIPER! RUN!” She didn’t bother turn around; Piper knew what would be behind her by now.

Aerrow stared in horror as Cyclonion skimmers gained on them, how had they beaten Terra Mas?

“They’re pushbikes!” Piper yelled, “Once they’re far enough away, they’ve been upgraded with crystals!”

“We’re still close enough for the Terra to affect Lypix, why isn’t it affecting their crystals?!”

A skimmer pushed over the verge in front of them.

“I believe I can answer that question.” The Dark Ace grinned maliciously.

They stopped, with lava either side, the Dark Ace in front of them and more Cyclonions behind, there was nowhere to go.

“Cyclonis has developed crystal cases which mean that our crystals can still work, without being absorbed. Unfortunately it is a bit late for the crew of the Poison, but then we can’t all be saved.”

He looked up, “And I believe Cyclonis said you’d be coming with me this time Lypix.”

Her next breath sounded like the scraping of two knives, so it wasn’t just a dream, Cyclonis had meant business.

“She’s going nowhere with the likes of you.” Aerrow hissed, sliding protectively between them.

“Junko put me down.” She whispered, which he grudgingly obliged to.

“And who’s going to stop me? The Storm Hawks? Look at you, three of you injured and with no crystal power whatsoever. I may have betrayed the original Storm Hawks, but even they had standards.”

Aerrow’s face flamed an angry red, “That’s it Bitch, I am so taking you!”

“Aerrow don’t!” She stepped forwards but had no means to carry out her request, the Dark Ace and Aerrow locked blades, snarling in each other’s faces.

“See?” He whispered, “She was going to come with me.”

Aerrow growled, “She also asked me to stop, I presume so I don’t hurt you.”

“Or vice versa.” The Dark Ace grinned.

A whirl of colour commenced, Aerrow’s russet hair dashed in and out against the Dark Ace’s armour. One insignia against the other. Two birds locked in a forever battle.

“Stop it!” Lypix screamed at them, “Don’t you know what you’re doing?!”

They both ignored her and kept fighting, Aerrow received a large graze to his arm, while the Dark Ace obtained a small gash on his shoulder.

“STOP IT!” She yelled, “STOP FIGHTING OVE-“Lypix clutched her hand to her chest, her breathing faltering almost completely, however she remained standing.

Both fighters stopped at the interruption in her voice, a stalking, dangerous figure stood behind her.

“I think we have a small misunderstanding here.” The quiet calculating voice peeled at Lypix’s consciousness, Cyclonis delicately held a large leecher in her hand. With the combined strength from Terra Mas, it pulled at Lypix’s heart.

“Cyclonis” The Dark Ace addressed, falling to one knee. A small tug came to her lips.

“Cyclonis” Aerrow growled as he assessed the danger to Lypix, her breath didn’t get any quieter.

“Lypix and I understand each other here. We both know what we can do to make the other happy.”

“Not now.” Lypix struggled to say, her voice fainter than the presence of their shadows.

Aerrow’s face creased slightly, was this a betrayal? Or something nastier?

Cyclonis gently stepped towards Lypix’s back, tracing the violent crystal along the exposed skin on her neck, causing Lypix to twist her face in pain. Her lungs scratched at the air in a desperate need for oxygen.

“I agree. Now is not the time. Things are not ready for us. But soon Lypix. The future is not far away.” It ended with a laugh, one that left a bad thought in Lypix’s mind. Cyclonis knew something she didn’t.

“Come on Dark Ace, we have things to, prepare for.” Cyclonis spoke the sentence with slight disdain, something he ignored.

“Not long now Lypix.” She smiled to her back as they mounted their skimmers and left. In the distance Piper saw the Talons receive the order to leave.

“What was that about Lypix?” Finn asked, staring directly at her trapped and motionless face.

But as soon as Cyclonis was out of range, Lypix collapsed, her head having one fleeting thought.

Cyclonis has all the cards. And she’s about to play them.