Storm And Fire Chapter 10

Storm And Fire

Chapter 10: Training Session


Dark Ace tossed something over to me. I looked down to see that I was holding Cyclonian armor. "Get changed. Then meet me outside." Dark Ace said firmly. Then left the room. I sighed and did as I was told. When I saw myself in the mirror, I sighed unhappily. This armor was lame. I just had to fix it up a little... Add a bit of the Finnster's charm, you know? I found some red cloth and got to work making a headband.

Next I improved the armor a bit. I smiled at the handsome reflection. "Sweet. Now for the hard part." I said and left the room. I walked through Cyclonis's palace. There were a few guards walking around. I paused for a moment. This might be my chance to escape. I headed for the hangar bay. Hiding behind things as I went along. I did not want to be spotted. I waited until the guards left the area. Then made my way to an available skimmer and took off.

"That was easier than I thought it would be." I said happily. But the skimmer jolted a few times. I looked up to see Dark Ace behind me. "Lesson one." He said. "Nothing is as it seems!" Dark Ace said and laughed. I cursed under my breath. He had planned the whole darn thing! I turned the skimmer around and dodged a few of Dark Ace's shots. But Dark Ace managed to get closer to me. I picked up my crossbow and fired.

I hit his skimmer. Dark Ace scowled then took out his blade. He flipped upside down and I knew what he was planning. So I got up and when he hit my skimmer, I jumped onto his. Dark Ace looked around. He didn't know I was on his skimmer with him. I aimed my crossbow at Dark Ace. "Nice try." I said coolly. "But I was counting on you to do that." Then I fired. Dark Ace simply lifted his sword in the air and blocked my attack. "Very good Finn. You passed the first test." Dark Ace said and I put my weapon away.

I was feeling pretty good about myself. I hopped in the back of the skimmer. Dark Ace then took us back to Cyclonis's palace. "Now for lesson two." He said as we re-entered the hangar bay. Soon we approached the training grounds. It looked like a normal room to me. "Next, you must retrieve the blizzard crystal." Dark Ace said calmly. I spotted it in the center of the grounds. And grinned. "No problemo!" I said.

This was going to be a piece of cake. Or so I thought until I stepped on a stone that sunk into the floor. Then flaming aerrows came straight at my head. I shrieked and ducked. My hair almost caught fire. Panting I got up and ran. Several spikes popped up around me. And a wall crumbled. I jumped and flipped and dodged some more aerrows. "WHAT THE HELL?" I screamed. Dark Ace only laughed. "You have to be prepared for anything!" He shouted.

Having nearly been burned to a crisp, I finally manage to get to the altar. I trip over a string and two logs come down at me. I scream and backflip onto the altar itself. The two logs hit each other and collapsed on the ground. I then grin and pick up the blizzard crystal, holding it like a trophy. Dark Ace smiled. "Lesson 2, complete." He said. I kissed the trophy. "Chicka Cha." I said happily. One of the Cyclonian Talons pulled a switch and the obstical course was turned off.

I handed Dark Ace the crystal. "And your third task will be combat training." He said and put the crystal into a bag on his belt. My ice blue eyes glistened with excitement. "Bring it on." I said feeling confident. Dark Ace laughed and threw a punch at me. I put up my hands and blocked it. But his punch was powerful enough to knock me back a few steps. "Wait, YOUR my opponent?" I asked in disbelief.

"That's right. Now get up!" He said. I swung and kicked at the Dark Ace. But I missed and he knocked me onto my back. "Again!" He said darkly. I wiped some blood from my mouth and got up. Dark Ace swung at me, but I moved to the side and kicked his back. Dark Ace grunted and turned around. I chuckled. Dark Ace ran back and I braced myself for his attack. But nothing happened. I reopened my eyes to discover he was not there.

A surprise grab from behind caused me to flinch. I tried to get his arms off me. But Dark Ace's grip was too strong. I kicked at him and managed to hit his stomach. As soon as Dark Ace let go, I punched his face. Dark Ace reared back, but did not fall. He came back with an angry glare. But I held him back with my arms. Now we were pushing against one another with our arms. I stared into those cold blood red eyes. I closed my eyes because the pressure was so intense.

Dark Ace let go and then kicked me in the gut. I fell over backwards and landed on my ass. I panted and wiped my mouth with my arm. "Not bad kid." Dark Ace said and held out his hand. "Keep it up, and soon you will be an excellent Talon." Dark Ace said and I took his hand. After he helped me up, I was led back to my room. "See you again tomorrow." Dark Ace said and locked the door. I laid back on the bed. "Phew, what a day!" I said, panting. Exhausted, I closed my eyes and soon fell asleep.