The Talon Austry

You lost to a child because of a wrench in your switchblade.

You lost to a child because of a wrench in your switchblade.

Closed RP- Continuation of Scenario 1

TW: Human Experimentation

[Cyclonis POV]

A sense of satisfaction was heavy as the machines around her started to power down. Smiling at Piper who she had forced to help her with this. She needed someone to stabalize her project and she knew her affection for the boy would have her give it her all to keep him alive. And as long as he made it through the night, it seemed to be a success. Despite how shallow his breathing was.

Dark secrets that made his blood boil and his stomach churn.

Austry was the only person he trusted to follow him down there and come back out in one piece, despite the current tension between them. Whatever Cyclonis had planned, he hoped it wouldn't shatter what little faith his friend may have had in him.

The halls were dark, and the air down here was stagnant. The metal walls were unnaturally clean despite so few people ever coming down here; not even housekeepers were allowed down here to keep things from getting dusty. Tension rose in his shoulders the further down they went, and he kept stealing glances at Austry for... what? Reassurance? Solidarity?

He saw Cyclonis standing outside one of the many rooms, and his expression hardened.

"What do you want?" he asked, not bothering with formalities. She didn't get any grace from him in private, not any more. Not since she'd ripped the Citadel out of its foundations, causing chaos for the masses of Cyclonia.

Crying could be heard in the other room, and it sent a chill through his blood.

What had she done?

He stayed quiet as the approached the Empress, his eyes fixated on the door and the sound of crying inside. His skin prickled with crystal energy. What ever had happened, he knew it wasnt good. He didn't want to deal with the witch or storm hawks mage turned pet. He wanted into that room, despite the dread eating at his insides.

"I told you. I need you to clean up." She said simply. Catching his tone and the way he was standing. She knew he could be touchy about certain things but she had assumed he wouldn't have an issue with this.

"You know how we created our Family pets and even the Nightcrawlers. I just made use of some annoying baggage." She explained. Proud of how it went, especially since she had convinced Piper to join in.

Still wanting her to join her. She would join her. Perhaps depending how much of a mind her surviving friend kept, perhaps she'd stay just to be his handler.

Dark Ace's voice shook the walls, and he had half a mind to march after the girls and force them to explain what had happened. But Cyclonis's words and the smell of blood stopped him from making a move for either of them.

The door was ajar, and the air was much too still.

"This isn't fucking over, Cyclonis!" he barked before shoving the door open to look inside.

What he saw was something he'd never wanted to see again. Bloodstained work surfaces, a limp body on an operating table. He could see the changes right away, and the surgical scars across the boy's body.

"Finn?" He spoke softly, gently wiping away blood and sweat from the boys face.

Of all the things Cyclonis could decide to get into, human experiments was one of the few he couldn't justify or make excuses for. Even too himself. He looked to the Dark Ace a moment, decisions already made. He wasn't going to stick around for more of this.

He gently moved the boy's limbs. Checking his wounds, making sure everything had been closed properly. He grabbed clean rags to clean and wrap things, moving mostly on auto pilot.

Thats all Finn could really focus on as he felt someone. Something nudging him. Force that made him tense and flinch. "No..." he whimpered. Forcing an eye open only to see Dark Ace standing there.

A pained yelp escaping him as his eyes squeezed shut. Shaking as he started to become more aware of things besides just the pain. He felt weird, different. Memories of before coming back as he forced himself to open his eyes once more.

This time recognizing the nice talon who would give him treats. "Is it over?" He asked. Hopeful when he saw him. Before whimpering when he saw Dark Ace again.

There was a storm brewing in his chest. He'd made a lot, a lot of allowances for Cyclonis's actions under the basis that she would see reason eventually and slow down her rampage across Atmos, but this was unforgivable. Despite his disagreements with the boy, he would never have wished this on him.

"We're not going to hurt you, Finn. I promise. Can you tell me what hurts the most?" He asks, hoping maybe Finn could tell hi. What was the worst, then he could figure out more. He wanted to relieve the boys pain but he needed more information and trust before he started using his needles.

He could feel the rage coming off his friend as they wrapped the boy in the sheet.

Good.

"Lungs." He said. "Feel like, like I'm choking." He admitted. Moving to shift his position. The gills on the side of his neck opening and closing at each movement.

It was at this moment that he got a good look at his claws.

Claws.

His hands webbed and elongated. Panic settling further in his chest as he let out a scared yelp. "What-" he said before coughing. A pained moan escaping him at the pain that it caused. His new tail swishing under the blanket as he panted.

Blood sliding down his body from the still open lacerations on his body. He fought through the pain though as he reached out. Touching each fin and scale against his body. Realizing what that foreign feeling was now that he could actually see them.

"Close your eyes and steady your breathing," he said. His voice was tight with anger and nausea. The shaking of his hands made his motions rougher than he intended. "We'll get you out of here as soon as we can."

"Let's get you stitched up and clean." He said softly, gently cleaning a wound. For the moment, he forced himself to ignore the tears. He needed to treat the wounds quickly. The sooner they were done the sooner he could leave with Finn. He hated what that would mean for his family, but this was a line he couldn't overlook.

He paused only briefly at Dark Ace's words, wondering if he meant out of Cyclonia.

"Think you can stand?" He asked once hed finished cleaning and dressing Finn's wounds. He stood in front of him, offering his hands for support.

He had gotten close.

But he tried not to think about him. Or them or even himself. Dissociating had been working wonders for him.

But now.

Body wrong. Pain unlike anything he had felt before. And the one helping him was the monster that forced him here. Finn not seeing much difference between Dark Ace and Cyclonis. Yet here he was trying to wipe the blood away. Applying water at the part of him that burned. The feeling soothing but only a small reprieve from everything else.

Then Dark Aces anger filled voice reached him. Causing him to flinch. The words not even registering to him as he just started crying harder. Unable to stop it at this point.

He barely noticed what Austry was doing. Until he caught sight of the needles. Tensing before he realized what he was doing. Reminding himself that this was the Pie Cyclonian. He had always been kind.

He managed at that point to first here Dark Ace promise to let him out of here. As well as Austry's question of if he could stand. Offering himself for support.

He didn't know if he could. But sniffling he knew he had to try. Shifting he pushed himself off of the operating table. Only slightly stumbling. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at himself now that he was standing.

Seeing the quick stitch Austry had given him. The new scales along his body. He was longer too. Not just cause of his 'tail' behind him. If he could even call it that. It had arms and he could move them, if a bit clumsy.

"She turned me into a monster." He realized. Instead of crying this time though he just started laughing. "Not the first time she did this to me either." He said. His laugh more shrill and panicked not amused but afraid.

He considered leading the way to his personal quarters, where Finn would be able to rest in an actual bed and perhaps take a shower while he and Austry talked about what to do next. But then he remembered how Cyclonis had been invading his private spaces more and more as of late. If she found out the newest subject of her curiosities was there, she could snatch him back whenever she felt like it.

"Do you still take supplies out to the Terra of Thorns?" he asked Austry. If the boy was fit to fly, then the unmapped Terra would be one of the safest places to take him.

The muffled sound of thunder made him look up, concerned. There hadn't been a storm in today's forecast so where had that come from? Hopefully it wouldn't stop them from flying.

"Come on, one step at a time."

He glanced at Dark Ace again wondering what his plan was exactly. They needed to leave the terra, not just this lab.

The question of the Terra of Thorns was a relief. It meant exactly what Austry had been hoping for. If Dark Ace left too over this... there was a good chance there would be consequences for the Empress she wouldn't be able to overlook.

"I do, yes." He nodded, "we could probably find a transport ship." The suggestion came out the same time as thunder rumbled outside. He wasn't exactly surprised to hear it considering Dark Ace's mood. The weather always weirdly seeming to coincide with the man's temper.

"It'll be better than trying to leave on skimmers, between his tail and the weather."

He didn't really find comfort in those words. But still tried. Looking away and instead keeping his eyes forward on the two in front of him.

Letting Austry guide him away from the bed. Feeling unsteady with the new weight and feel of his body.

His next words confused him even more. Somewhere else? "Wait-" he said softly barely audible as he tried to piece together what that meant.

The more they talked though he wondered. Were they... saving him? They weren't going to just throw him into a dungeon.

"Why are you? Are you helping me?" He asked unsure. Tail swishing behind him. Almost knocking him off of his feet as he messed up the movement of them.

"There's lines even I won't cross," he explained. "What Cyclonis has done to you is one of them."

Even though it didn't make the boy a monster, Cyclonis had committed an egregious violation that Dark Ace refused to stand by. If she could so easily do that to someone she saw as a trophy, who else was she willing to twist and break to fit her whims?

"There should be some transport ships in the southeast hangar," he said to Austry as they led Finn out of the lower levels. "I'm going to get Duchess from my quarters and I'll meet you there. Is there anything you want me to grab?"

He really wasn't sure when, or even if, he'd come back at this point and there were a few things he didn't want to leave behind. Some stubborn part of him was still reluctant to leave and abandon his duties, still sure that he could find a way to fix things from here, but one look at Finn was enough to shut those thoughts down.

"My mask... I keep it in my foot locker, under a false bottom." He didn't need anyone finding that. His friend could know the truth, he already knew he was an assassin for the Empress anyways.

He just nodded.

Growing quiet as he walked with them. Too tired and shocked to say much as they listed off what they might need. Still a bit uncertain what could happen. But despite his fears he found himself just numb. If they were actually just leading him out to kill him fine. At this point he didn't even care. He was tired and in pain and... missed Aerrow dearly.

Aerrow would have been stronger then him at this moment. He still couldn't believe Piper helped, why did she helped. This whole time... did she really hate him that much? Was that why they always sent him away or left him behind.

Did she... did they, not believe in him?

He almost felt like crying again as they arrived at the hanger. But held it together as Dark Ace ran off. Stepping into the ship that they were preparing. Before finding the closest soft thing to lay down on. His tail wrapping close against him. An instinctive thing that was already forming within him as it moved to cover his more sensitive and vulnerable spots.

He wanted to ask questions. Be brave. He wasn't though. He was tired. He was hurt. Walking here was already him going over his limit. So closing his eyes, he fell unconscious soon afterwards.

All in all, it didn't take long before he'd rejoined Austry and Finn at the transport ship. His eyes lingered on the boy's unconscious form for a moment before he went to help finish preparing for travel.

His heart was hammering in his chest as they took off, and he felt his hands shaking again. The anger and dread and that sick, haunted feeling he'd been trying to suppress this whole time was starting to catch up to him. It caught in his throat when he tried to say something to Austry, only coming out as a strangled croaking noise.

Fuck, not now… Fine, he wouldn't say anything. He'd just focus on the journey ahead. What would talking even do for him anyway?

Rain lashed against the ship's windows and thunder rumbled all around them, matching the tumultuous feelings rising up in his chest.

"I know your job is to look after Feathers, but i think he needs you too right now." He said softly, touching her head before looking at Finn, "Its not a very long flight, I promise." He assured him even as he quickly passed out. He'd definitely need antibiotics and painkillers once they arrived. Austry had stashed plenty over the years.

Joining Dark Ace at the controls he started the ships engines, sending them off into the storm. He heard the croak as Dark Ace tried to speak, knowing what was happening. He reached over and simply took his friends hand, he didn't need to speak for this.

Looking away as he slowly looked over himself again. Taking a shuddering breath as he took a quiet moment just to inspect himself. What he was now. He looked like some type of fish, he realized. Maybe thats why his lungs hurt so much?

Feeling his gills they felt dried and in pain. Foreign to his touch and sensitive. Pulling away he stared at the claws he had and the webbing on his hands.

Yeah definetly some type of fish. Moving to get up, it was as if everything hurt more now that he rested then it did before. A yelp escaping him as he moved in a way that jostled his stitches. Deciding to stay where he was instead. New leg on his 'tail' kicking as he pushed the new form of himself closer to him.

Taking the time to look over the colors of what he could only describe as a beastly form of himself. It was probably disingenuous to call it a tail. It wasn't. It was an extra piece of body. Uncertain of its place but still there.

Despite his hatred of what happened to himself. He had to admit his scales were beautiful. Almost iridescent in the light. His mind wrestled between the thoughts of this being him and completely denying it.

He made sure the ship stayed beneath the clouds as they flew to the Terra of Thorns, occasionally flying above them to check landmarks and make absolutely sure they were going in the right direction. The storm seemed to follow their little transport ship, conveniently obscuring them from any passing warships along the way.

Eventually, their destination came into view. A graveyard of abandoned ships overgrown with thorn bushes. It looked almost barren, but he and Austry knew that life hid just beneath the surface. He landed by the old husk of a decommissioned warship and cut the engines. But he didn't let himself feel relief just yet.

"The outside looks a lot worse than it actually is." He smiled awkwardly as he stepped back inside the transport ship, "Think you can walk again? The Captain's cabin has a bath you could probably fully submerge in." He offered his hands again, Duchess backing up a step but ready to press against the boys side the minute she could.

He didn't react much as the others walked away. Flinching at the sound of thunder. But staying where he was. As Austry returned he was instantly locked back into him.

At the question of walking again, he looked down at himself. At the mention of a bath though. His eyes just widened in concern again. "Is that- that will help?" He asked. Voice small, so unlike how he normally sounded.

He knew it probably would. He wasn't blind. But the idea of it. Was so terrifying. He didn't end up answering any of his questions. As he just curled up where he was.

He was already thinking over what to make. Something simple and easy to keep down for certain. Hopefully Finn's internal biology hadn't changed too much that he couldn't eat normal food.

He walked them deeper into the ship until the arrived at the captains quarters. The room divided into a sitting room and a bedroom. A side door leading off to a private bath.

Austry had at some point replaced the ratty rotting mattress for something more comfortable with clean sheets. He set Finn there before heading to the bathroom.

"Ill get the water going. What sounds better, hot or cool?" He asked, giving him the option.

Sitting on the bed, he watched as Austry went to the bath. Before asking him what temperature. He wasn't sure honestly, "Not... not too hot but not cold?" He said. His voice sounded stranger, the sharper teeth and different tongue felt weird. Part of why he also wasn't talking.

He got up instead of sitting, as he approached Austry. Stepping into the bathroom as he looked around. "My eyes are different." He said. Bringing a hand up as he forced himself to stare at himself again.

Slowly, he sank down onto his knees as the past few weeks finally caught up to him. The last few hours were the final straw. Duchess was immediately pressing up against him but he barely registered her attempts to ground him.

Two years.

The last two years had been a complete waste. Killing Anarchis had lead to Cyclonis turning out to be just as bad as her despite his efforts to steer her away from repeating her grandmother's mistakes. Sparing Aerrow had just ended in him killing the boy anyway and one of his teammates being subject to something he'd sworn to never let happen again. The Empire was at risk of cannibalising itself in Cyclonis's endless desire for conquest, stretching resources and military forces too thin and breeding nothing but avarice on all sides. His best friend could hardly look at him. The regret and disgust he'd been trying to shove down was finally rearing its ugly head.

Numb fingers tangled in Duchess's fur. Calm. He needed to calm down in case Austry came in. Why couldn't he just calm down? He wasn't even the one who'd been torn apart this time.

"To be honest... I don't know. Fused you with some sort of far side crystal." He stood, pulling Finn away from the mirror, "I know you want to focus on the what and the why but we should get you stable first. I know this is scary, trust me, I know what you're going through, so does Feathers. We're going to get you through this, I promise."

He kept Finn turned towards him, guiding him to the water as the storm picked up outside.

"Im... ill be right back, okay? Im going to see how food is coming along."

He kept his pace calm as he left the bathroom, only to break into a sprint once he was back in the hall. He didn't stop until he was in the kitchen, finding Duchess pressed against Dark Ace kneeling on the floor.

" I was afraid of that." He sighed, stepping closer, "Feathers, come back to me. Please?"

Finn looked away once he was around the corner. Feeling the water with his hand, it felt nice. He always liked the sea but had never felt at home with it. Hesitating a moment he pulled his hand back. Taking a moment to breathe, to prepare himself before finally moving to get into the water.

Instantly the effect of it was noticed. The itchy pain of his new scales softening as the water wrapped around him. His lungs didn't hurt as much either as he fully submerged himself. It was small, smaller then his new shape needed but it was something. He felt more flexible, able to wrap his lower tail around himself. In a comforting embrace. Similar to what he did before but it was more natural in the water.

He briefly wondered if this was what the Aquanosian felt like but in some ways he realized he was different from them. Similar but as similar as human was to a Wallop.

Closing his eyes, he just listened to the water around him. It had an almost song to it. Adjusted by each one of his movements. But muted due to the size. It was an unnatural place for water. Something he felt like he shouldn't know.

And yet he was learning anyway.

"You were right," he gasped out between unsteady breaths. "We would have been better off losing."

He should have done more, been firmer with Cyclonis and less subversive with Aerrow. Should have kept a closer eye on the cells and intervened with Cyclonis's Far Side bullshit sooner, maybe then he wouldn't have failed again to keep another kid from being torn apart and put back together wrong. What kind of Champion let their Empress step all over them and ran away when she finally crossed one too many lines?

A weak one. The words echoed in his head and cut through him the same way Anarchis used to.

"You should be with Finn. He needs you more than I do."

He shook his head when Dark Ace tried to send him away. Gently taking his hands in his.

"Finn isn't currently having a panic attack, you are." He glanced at Duchess, whos ears were laid back, clearly upset her usual tricks weren't working. "Go keep an eye on Finn, I got this." He told her before focusing back on his friend. She whined but did as he asked.

"Freathers... whats 5 things you can see?" He asked deciding to try a technique his uncle had taught him.

He shuddered slightly when Duchess left and clung onto Austry's hands for stability. The fact that Finn wasn't actively panicking right now didn't reassure him all that much. But the thought was quickly washed away by another wave of panic that he had to fight to stay focused through.

Five things he could see... Five things. His eyes darted around trying to settle on something.

"Now, 4 things you can touch." He coaxed waiting for an answer before moving on to the next steps, 3 things he could hear, 2 things he could smell, 1 thing he could taste.

The creaking of the ship's hull, a distant roll of thunder, and the humming of the fridge,

Dried rosemary and some sort of cleaning chemical,

He struggled a bit with the taste one before settling on toothpaste.

With each sense he listed off, Dark Ace did manage to come back to himself. His breathing evened out and his heartbeat wasn't so loud in his ears. He felt exhausted though.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, leaning forward until his forehead met Austry's. "I don't know why that was so difficult this time."

Pins and needles were starting to set into his legs and he began pulling himself up onto his feet before they fell asleep. Some part of him was still looking for a distraction, fixated on being helpful by making dinner.

"It feels like everything I've tried to do hasn't meant anything."

"You've done so much, and made a difference for so many. Myself included."

He waited until the Dark Ace's pulse had slowed down a bit more before letting him go.

"Why don't I help you make dinner? Then we can both go back and check on Finn." He trusted Duchess to keep the boy calm until they were able to return to him.

"Some help would be nice," he agreed as he started looking through the cupboards, refreshing his memory on what Austry kept here. There were tinned beans and tomatoes, some onions that hadn't sprouted yet, among other things. "Do you think he'd be able to stomach braised bean soup?"

There was no way of telling how much Finn's internal biology had changed and if he could still digest the same things as normal. Dark Ace wasn't exactly looking to experiment right now and risk making him sick.

He started with rinsing off the beans and got out a chopping board and a pan. This probably wouldn't take very long to make.

He stared at it panting above him as he looked up at it through the water. Did they know a dog ended up on the ship? It seemed friendly at least. So lifting up out of the water, he reached out hesitantly. Touching its head, flinching as it leaned into it. Before relaxing.

His hand didn't even feel or look like it should as he pushed it through the beasts fur. "I can smell you." He said after a moment. "And not, like i know where you- you've been around Dark Ace a lot haven't you?" He said.

So it must be Dark Aces dog. Lowering his hand, he felt his tears threatening to come back. The dog instantly coming to bump its nose against him. "I'm not supposed to be like this." He mumbled.

Looking down at himself again. The bath felt nice and was washing away the blood on him. As well as easing what he now realized was gills. He wasn't breathing properly still though. His lungs hurt but less then before. Getting better.

Shifting he decided to get out of the bath. It was kind of dirty at this point. Stepping out he didn't dry himself off as he tested standing again. Namely his large snake like tail? Extra body? He wasn't sure what to consider it. It had legs and didn't feel like a tail. Well not all of it. He flicked the end of the tail watching it move around. Yeah that was the tail. The rest... something else.

He did wonder though. Biting his lip he let it take his full weight. Surprised when he was able to lift himself. Pulling his legs up to his chest as he held onto them. Taking a step with the new part of his body. He could do it although it felt different then how he'd normally walk. Like he was... Slithering, the legs just helping to adjust the direction. It felt like gliding.

Lowering himself back down he felt his heart start to hammer again. The dog once more touching him and making him jump. "Stop doing that." He snapped. The dog just let out a small whine. Making Finn feel a bit bad about yelling at it.

They finished the soup in good time and companionable quiet. Warm spices and the sharp tang of cooking tomatoes filled the kitchen. Dark Ace ladelled it into bowls, passed one to Austry and carried his own portion and one for Finn to the captain's quarters.

He whistled for Duchess as he came in, the dog hurried to his side and circled him, whining.

«I know, I'm sorry good girl,» he murmured, setting one of the bowls on the desk in the room so that he could scratch her between the ears. He looked over at Finn, "We made soup if you're hungry."

He thought about asking the boy if he was alright, but he would probably be sick of that question before long. Best not to hasten that along and besides, Austry was probably the better person to be asking those sorts of questions.

"How was the bath? Did it help?" He asked, noting he was still soaking wet. Thought with his new features the water was probably preferable. Could they undo it? Or would that be just a painful?

Besides Ravess and Snipe's usual antics?

Several years ago, the locks on a bunch of the pegasus stalls broke and I got to watch the cavalrymen chase all the untrained colts - who were having tons of fun playing chase with the humans - around the stronghold grounds.

Countless, countless stories of Talons overestimating how much chilli powder they can actually handle in meals and thinking they can impress me by testing their spice tolerance. Especially the newer recruits.

I don't go swimming when the depth pool is busy anymore because too many people have swum right into the sides of the pool while staring at me.

Some idiot (that wasn't Snipe) thought they could train the Citadel cats into specialised attack animals. The cats put the dumbass in his place very quick.

Closed RP- Continuation of Scenario 1

TW: Human Experimentation

[Cyclonis POV]

A sense of satisfaction was heavy as the machines around her started to power down. Smiling at Piper who she had forced to help her with this. She needed someone to stabalize her project and she knew her affection for the boy would have her give it her all to keep him alive. And as long as he made it through the night, it seemed to be a success. Despite how shallow his breathing was.

Dark secrets that made his blood boil and his stomach churn.

Austry was the only person he trusted to follow him down there and come back out in one piece, despite the current tension between them. Whatever Cyclonis had planned, he hoped it wouldn't shatter what little faith his friend may have had in him.

The halls were dark, and the air down here was stagnant. The metal walls were unnaturally clean despite so few people ever coming down here; not even housekeepers were allowed down here to keep things from getting dusty. Tension rose in his shoulders the further down they went, and he kept stealing glances at Austry for... what? Reassurance? Solidarity?

He saw Cyclonis standing outside one of the many rooms, and his expression hardened.

"What do you want?" he asked, not bothering with formalities. She didn't get any grace from him in private, not any more. Not since she'd ripped the Citadel out of its foundations, causing chaos for the masses of Cyclonia.

Crying could be heard in the other room, and it sent a chill through his blood.

What had she done?

He stayed quiet as the approached the Empress, his eyes fixated on the door and the sound of crying inside. His skin prickled with crystal energy. What ever had happened, he knew it wasnt good. He didn't want to deal with the witch or storm hawks mage turned pet. He wanted into that room, despite the dread eating at his insides.

"I told you. I need you to clean up." She said simply. Catching his tone and the way he was standing. She knew he could be touchy about certain things but she had assumed he wouldn't have an issue with this.

"You know how we created our Family pets and even the Nightcrawlers. I just made use of some annoying baggage." She explained. Proud of how it went, especially since she had convinced Piper to join in.

Still wanting her to join her. She would join her. Perhaps depending how much of a mind her surviving friend kept, perhaps she'd stay just to be his handler.

Dark Ace's voice shook the walls, and he had half a mind to march after the girls and force them to explain what had happened. But Cyclonis's words and the smell of blood stopped him from making a move for either of them.

The door was ajar, and the air was much too still.

"This isn't fucking over, Cyclonis!" he barked before shoving the door open to look inside.

What he saw was something he'd never wanted to see again. Bloodstained work surfaces, a limp body on an operating table. He could see the changes right away, and the surgical scars across the boy's body.

"Finn?" He spoke softly, gently wiping away blood and sweat from the boys face.

Of all the things Cyclonis could decide to get into, human experiments was one of the few he couldn't justify or make excuses for. Even too himself. He looked to the Dark Ace a moment, decisions already made. He wasn't going to stick around for more of this.

He gently moved the boy's limbs. Checking his wounds, making sure everything had been closed properly. He grabbed clean rags to clean and wrap things, moving mostly on auto pilot.

Thats all Finn could really focus on as he felt someone. Something nudging him. Force that made him tense and flinch. "No..." he whimpered. Forcing an eye open only to see Dark Ace standing there.

A pained yelp escaping him as his eyes squeezed shut. Shaking as he started to become more aware of things besides just the pain. He felt weird, different. Memories of before coming back as he forced himself to open his eyes once more.

This time recognizing the nice talon who would give him treats. "Is it over?" He asked. Hopeful when he saw him. Before whimpering when he saw Dark Ace again.

There was a storm brewing in his chest. He'd made a lot, a lot of allowances for Cyclonis's actions under the basis that she would see reason eventually and slow down her rampage across Atmos, but this was unforgivable. Despite his disagreements with the boy, he would never have wished this on him.

"We're not going to hurt you, Finn. I promise. Can you tell me what hurts the most?" He asks, hoping maybe Finn could tell hi. What was the worst, then he could figure out more. He wanted to relieve the boys pain but he needed more information and trust before he started using his needles.

He could feel the rage coming off his friend as they wrapped the boy in the sheet.

Good.

"Lungs." He said. "Feel like, like I'm choking." He admitted. Moving to shift his position. The gills on the side of his neck opening and closing at each movement.

It was at this moment that he got a good look at his claws.

Claws.

His hands webbed and elongated. Panic settling further in his chest as he let out a scared yelp. "What-" he said before coughing. A pained moan escaping him at the pain that it caused. His new tail swishing under the blanket as he panted.

Blood sliding down his body from the still open lacerations on his body. He fought through the pain though as he reached out. Touching each fin and scale against his body. Realizing what that foreign feeling was now that he could actually see them.

"Close your eyes and steady your breathing," he said. His voice was tight with anger and nausea. The shaking of his hands made his motions rougher than he intended. "We'll get you out of here as soon as we can."

"Let's get you stitched up and clean." He said softly, gently cleaning a wound. For the moment, he forced himself to ignore the tears. He needed to treat the wounds quickly. The sooner they were done the sooner he could leave with Finn. He hated what that would mean for his family, but this was a line he couldn't overlook.

He paused only briefly at Dark Ace's words, wondering if he meant out of Cyclonia.

"Think you can stand?" He asked once hed finished cleaning and dressing Finn's wounds. He stood in front of him, offering his hands for support.

He had gotten close.

But he tried not to think about him. Or them or even himself. Dissociating had been working wonders for him.

But now.

Body wrong. Pain unlike anything he had felt before. And the one helping him was the monster that forced him here. Finn not seeing much difference between Dark Ace and Cyclonis. Yet here he was trying to wipe the blood away. Applying water at the part of him that burned. The feeling soothing but only a small reprieve from everything else.

Then Dark Aces anger filled voice reached him. Causing him to flinch. The words not even registering to him as he just started crying harder. Unable to stop it at this point.

He barely noticed what Austry was doing. Until he caught sight of the needles. Tensing before he realized what he was doing. Reminding himself that this was the Pie Cyclonian. He had always been kind.

He managed at that point to first here Dark Ace promise to let him out of here. As well as Austry's question of if he could stand. Offering himself for support.

He didn't know if he could. But sniffling he knew he had to try. Shifting he pushed himself off of the operating table. Only slightly stumbling. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at himself now that he was standing.

Seeing the quick stitch Austry had given him. The new scales along his body. He was longer too. Not just cause of his 'tail' behind him. If he could even call it that. It had arms and he could move them, if a bit clumsy.

"She turned me into a monster." He realized. Instead of crying this time though he just started laughing. "Not the first time she did this to me either." He said. His laugh more shrill and panicked not amused but afraid.

He considered leading the way to his personal quarters, where Finn would be able to rest in an actual bed and perhaps take a shower while he and Austry talked about what to do next. But then he remembered how Cyclonis had been invading his private spaces more and more as of late. If she found out the newest subject of her curiosities was there, she could snatch him back whenever she felt like it.

"Do you still take supplies out to the Terra of Thorns?" he asked Austry. If the boy was fit to fly, then the unmapped Terra would be one of the safest places to take him.

The muffled sound of thunder made him look up, concerned. There hadn't been a storm in today's forecast so where had that come from? Hopefully it wouldn't stop them from flying.

"Come on, one step at a time."

He glanced at Dark Ace again wondering what his plan was exactly. They needed to leave the terra, not just this lab.

The question of the Terra of Thorns was a relief. It meant exactly what Austry had been hoping for. If Dark Ace left too over this... there was a good chance there would be consequences for the Empress she wouldn't be able to overlook.

"I do, yes." He nodded, "we could probably find a transport ship." The suggestion came out the same time as thunder rumbled outside. He wasn't exactly surprised to hear it considering Dark Ace's mood. The weather always weirdly seeming to coincide with the man's temper.

"It'll be better than trying to leave on skimmers, between his tail and the weather."

He didn't really find comfort in those words. But still tried. Looking away and instead keeping his eyes forward on the two in front of him.

Letting Austry guide him away from the bed. Feeling unsteady with the new weight and feel of his body.

His next words confused him even more. Somewhere else? "Wait-" he said softly barely audible as he tried to piece together what that meant.

The more they talked though he wondered. Were they... saving him? They weren't going to just throw him into a dungeon.

"Why are you? Are you helping me?" He asked unsure. Tail swishing behind him. Almost knocking him off of his feet as he messed up the movement of them.

"There's lines even I won't cross," he explained. "What Cyclonis has done to you is one of them."

Even though it didn't make the boy a monster, Cyclonis had committed an egregious violation that Dark Ace refused to stand by. If she could so easily do that to someone she saw as a trophy, who else was she willing to twist and break to fit her whims?

"There should be some transport ships in the southeast hangar," he said to Austry as they led Finn out of the lower levels. "I'm going to get Duchess from my quarters and I'll meet you there. Is there anything you want me to grab?"

He really wasn't sure when, or even if, he'd come back at this point and there were a few things he didn't want to leave behind. Some stubborn part of him was still reluctant to leave and abandon his duties, still sure that he could find a way to fix things from here, but one look at Finn was enough to shut those thoughts down.

"My mask... I keep it in my foot locker, under a false bottom." He didn't need anyone finding that. His friend could know the truth, he already knew he was an assassin for the Empress anyways.

He just nodded.

Growing quiet as he walked with them. Too tired and shocked to say much as they listed off what they might need. Still a bit uncertain what could happen. But despite his fears he found himself just numb. If they were actually just leading him out to kill him fine. At this point he didn't even care. He was tired and in pain and... missed Aerrow dearly.

Aerrow would have been stronger then him at this moment. He still couldn't believe Piper helped, why did she helped. This whole time... did she really hate him that much? Was that why they always sent him away or left him behind.

Did she... did they, not believe in him?

He almost felt like crying again as they arrived at the hanger. But held it together as Dark Ace ran off. Stepping into the ship that they were preparing. Before finding the closest soft thing to lay down on. His tail wrapping close against him. An instinctive thing that was already forming within him as it moved to cover his more sensitive and vulnerable spots.

He wanted to ask questions. Be brave. He wasn't though. He was tired. He was hurt. Walking here was already him going over his limit. So closing his eyes, he fell unconscious soon afterwards.

All in all, it didn't take long before he'd rejoined Austry and Finn at the transport ship. His eyes lingered on the boy's unconscious form for a moment before he went to help finish preparing for travel.

His heart was hammering in his chest as they took off, and he felt his hands shaking again. The anger and dread and that sick, haunted feeling he'd been trying to suppress this whole time was starting to catch up to him. It caught in his throat when he tried to say something to Austry, only coming out as a strangled croaking noise.

Fuck, not now… Fine, he wouldn't say anything. He'd just focus on the journey ahead. What would talking even do for him anyway?

Rain lashed against the ship's windows and thunder rumbled all around them, matching the tumultuous feelings rising up in his chest.

"I know your job is to look after Feathers, but i think he needs you too right now." He said softly, touching her head before looking at Finn, "Its not a very long flight, I promise." He assured him even as he quickly passed out. He'd definitely need antibiotics and painkillers once they arrived. Austry had stashed plenty over the years.

Joining Dark Ace at the controls he started the ships engines, sending them off into the storm. He heard the croak as Dark Ace tried to speak, knowing what was happening. He reached over and simply took his friends hand, he didn't need to speak for this.

Looking away as he slowly looked over himself again. Taking a shuddering breath as he took a quiet moment just to inspect himself. What he was now. He looked like some type of fish, he realized. Maybe thats why his lungs hurt so much?

Feeling his gills they felt dried and in pain. Foreign to his touch and sensitive. Pulling away he stared at the claws he had and the webbing on his hands.

Yeah definetly some type of fish. Moving to get up, it was as if everything hurt more now that he rested then it did before. A yelp escaping him as he moved in a way that jostled his stitches. Deciding to stay where he was instead. New leg on his 'tail' kicking as he pushed the new form of himself closer to him.

Taking the time to look over the colors of what he could only describe as a beastly form of himself. It was probably disingenuous to call it a tail. It wasn't. It was an extra piece of body. Uncertain of its place but still there.

Despite his hatred of what happened to himself. He had to admit his scales were beautiful. Almost iridescent in the light. His mind wrestled between the thoughts of this being him and completely denying it.

He made sure the ship stayed beneath the clouds as they flew to the Terra of Thorns, occasionally flying above them to check landmarks and make absolutely sure they were going in the right direction. The storm seemed to follow their little transport ship, conveniently obscuring them from any passing warships along the way.

Eventually, their destination came into view. A graveyard of abandoned ships overgrown with thorn bushes. It looked almost barren, but he and Austry knew that life hid just beneath the surface. He landed by the old husk of a decommissioned warship and cut the engines. But he didn't let himself feel relief just yet.

"The outside looks a lot worse than it actually is." He smiled awkwardly as he stepped back inside the transport ship, "Think you can walk again? The Captain's cabin has a bath you could probably fully submerge in." He offered his hands again, Duchess backing up a step but ready to press against the boys side the minute she could.

He didn't react much as the others walked away. Flinching at the sound of thunder. But staying where he was. As Austry returned he was instantly locked back into him.

At the question of walking again, he looked down at himself. At the mention of a bath though. His eyes just widened in concern again. "Is that- that will help?" He asked. Voice small, so unlike how he normally sounded.

He knew it probably would. He wasn't blind. But the idea of it. Was so terrifying. He didn't end up answering any of his questions. As he just curled up where he was.

He was already thinking over what to make. Something simple and easy to keep down for certain. Hopefully Finn's internal biology hadn't changed too much that he couldn't eat normal food.

He walked them deeper into the ship until the arrived at the captains quarters. The room divided into a sitting room and a bedroom. A side door leading off to a private bath.

Austry had at some point replaced the ratty rotting mattress for something more comfortable with clean sheets. He set Finn there before heading to the bathroom.

"Ill get the water going. What sounds better, hot or cool?" He asked, giving him the option.

Sitting on the bed, he watched as Austry went to the bath. Before asking him what temperature. He wasn't sure honestly, "Not... not too hot but not cold?" He said. His voice sounded stranger, the sharper teeth and different tongue felt weird. Part of why he also wasn't talking.

He got up instead of sitting, as he approached Austry. Stepping into the bathroom as he looked around. "My eyes are different." He said. Bringing a hand up as he forced himself to stare at himself again.

Slowly, he sank down onto his knees as the past few weeks finally caught up to him. The last few hours were the final straw. Duchess was immediately pressing up against him but he barely registered her attempts to ground him.

Two years.

The last two years had been a complete waste. Killing Anarchis had lead to Cyclonis turning out to be just as bad as her despite his efforts to steer her away from repeating her grandmother's mistakes. Sparing Aerrow had just ended in him killing the boy anyway and one of his teammates being subject to something he'd sworn to never let happen again. The Empire was at risk of cannibalising itself in Cyclonis's endless desire for conquest, stretching resources and military forces too thin and breeding nothing but avarice on all sides. His best friend could hardly look at him. The regret and disgust he'd been trying to shove down was finally rearing its ugly head.

Numb fingers tangled in Duchess's fur. Calm. He needed to calm down in case Austry came in. Why couldn't he just calm down? He wasn't even the one who'd been torn apart this time.

"To be honest... I don't know. Fused you with some sort of far side crystal." He stood, pulling Finn away from the mirror, "I know you want to focus on the what and the why but we should get you stable first. I know this is scary, trust me, I know what you're going through, so does Feathers. We're going to get you through this, I promise."

He kept Finn turned towards him, guiding him to the water as the storm picked up outside.

"Im... ill be right back, okay? Im going to see how food is coming along."

He kept his pace calm as he left the bathroom, only to break into a sprint once he was back in the hall. He didn't stop until he was in the kitchen, finding Duchess pressed against Dark Ace kneeling on the floor.

" I was afraid of that." He sighed, stepping closer, "Feathers, come back to me. Please?"

Finn looked away once he was around the corner. Feeling the water with his hand, it felt nice. He always liked the sea but had never felt at home with it. Hesitating a moment he pulled his hand back. Taking a moment to breathe, to prepare himself before finally moving to get into the water.

Instantly the effect of it was noticed. The itchy pain of his new scales softening as the water wrapped around him. His lungs didn't hurt as much either as he fully submerged himself. It was small, smaller then his new shape needed but it was something. He felt more flexible, able to wrap his lower tail around himself. In a comforting embrace. Similar to what he did before but it was more natural in the water.

He briefly wondered if this was what the Aquanosian felt like but in some ways he realized he was different from them. Similar but as similar as human was to a Wallop.

Closing his eyes, he just listened to the water around him. It had an almost song to it. Adjusted by each one of his movements. But muted due to the size. It was an unnatural place for water. Something he felt like he shouldn't know.

And yet he was learning anyway.

"You were right," he gasped out between unsteady breaths. "We would have been better off losing."

He should have done more, been firmer with Cyclonis and less subversive with Aerrow. Should have kept a closer eye on the cells and intervened with Cyclonis's Far Side bullshit sooner, maybe then he wouldn't have failed again to keep another kid from being torn apart and put back together wrong. What kind of Champion let their Empress step all over them and ran away when she finally crossed one too many lines?

A weak one. The words echoed in his head and cut through him the same way Anarchis used to.

"You should be with Finn. He needs you more than I do."

He shook his head when Dark Ace tried to send him away. Gently taking his hands in his.

"Finn isn't currently having a panic attack, you are." He glanced at Duchess, whos ears were laid back, clearly upset her usual tricks weren't working. "Go keep an eye on Finn, I got this." He told her before focusing back on his friend. She whined but did as he asked.

"Freathers... whats 5 things you can see?" He asked deciding to try a technique his uncle had taught him.

He shuddered slightly when Duchess left and clung onto Austry's hands for stability. The fact that Finn wasn't actively panicking right now didn't reassure him all that much. But the thought was quickly washed away by another wave of panic that he had to fight to stay focused through.

Five things he could see... Five things. His eyes darted around trying to settle on something.

"Now, 4 things you can touch." He coaxed waiting for an answer before moving on to the next steps, 3 things he could hear, 2 things he could smell, 1 thing he could taste.

The creaking of the ship's hull, a distant roll of thunder, and the humming of the fridge,

Dried rosemary and some sort of cleaning chemical,

He struggled a bit with the taste one before settling on toothpaste.

With each sense he listed off, Dark Ace did manage to come back to himself. His breathing evened out and his heartbeat wasn't so loud in his ears. He felt exhausted though.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, leaning forward until his forehead met Austry's. "I don't know why that was so difficult this time."

Pins and needles were starting to set into his legs and he began pulling himself up onto his feet before they fell asleep. Some part of him was still looking for a distraction, fixated on being helpful by making dinner.

"It feels like everything I've tried to do hasn't meant anything."

"You've done so much, and made a difference for so many. Myself included."

He waited until the Dark Ace's pulse had slowed down a bit more before letting him go.

"Why don't I help you make dinner? Then we can both go back and check on Finn." He trusted Duchess to keep the boy calm until they were able to return to him.

"Some help would be nice," he agreed as he started looking through the cupboards, refreshing his memory on what Austry kept here. There were tinned beans and tomatoes, some onions that hadn't sprouted yet, among other things. "Do you think he'd be able to stomach braised bean soup?"

There was no way of telling how much Finn's internal biology had changed and if he could still digest the same things as normal. Dark Ace wasn't exactly looking to experiment right now and risk making him sick.

He started with rinsing off the beans and got out a chopping board and a pan. This probably wouldn't take very long to make.

He stared at it panting above him as he looked up at it through the water. Did they know a dog ended up on the ship? It seemed friendly at least. So lifting up out of the water, he reached out hesitantly. Touching its head, flinching as it leaned into it. Before relaxing.

His hand didn't even feel or look like it should as he pushed it through the beasts fur. "I can smell you." He said after a moment. "And not, like i know where you- you've been around Dark Ace a lot haven't you?" He said.

So it must be Dark Aces dog. Lowering his hand, he felt his tears threatening to come back. The dog instantly coming to bump its nose against him. "I'm not supposed to be like this." He mumbled.

Looking down at himself again. The bath felt nice and was washing away the blood on him. As well as easing what he now realized was gills. He wasn't breathing properly still though. His lungs hurt but less then before. Getting better.

Shifting he decided to get out of the bath. It was kind of dirty at this point. Stepping out he didn't dry himself off as he tested standing again. Namely his large snake like tail? Extra body? He wasn't sure what to consider it. It had legs and didn't feel like a tail. Well not all of it. He flicked the end of the tail watching it move around. Yeah that was the tail. The rest... something else.

He did wonder though. Biting his lip he let it take his full weight. Surprised when he was able to lift himself. Pulling his legs up to his chest as he held onto them. Taking a step with the new part of his body. He could do it although it felt different then how he'd normally walk. Like he was... Slithering, the legs just helping to adjust the direction. It felt like gliding.

Lowering himself back down he felt his heart start to hammer again. The dog once more touching him and making him jump. "Stop doing that." He snapped. The dog just let out a small whine. Making Finn feel a bit bad about yelling at it.

They finished the soup in good time and companionable quiet. Warm spices and the sharp tang of cooking tomatoes filled the kitchen. Dark Ace ladelled it into bowls, passed one to Austry and carried his own portion and one for Finn to the captain's quarters.

He whistled for Duchess as he came in, the dog hurried to his side and circled him, whining.

«I know, I'm sorry good girl,» he murmured, setting one of the bowls on the desk in the room so that he could scratch her between the ears. He looked over at Finn, "We made soup if you're hungry."

He thought about asking the boy if he was alright, but he would probably be sick of that question before long. Best not to hasten that along and besides, Austry was probably the better person to be asking those sorts of questions.

"How was the bath? Did it help?" He asked, noting he was still soaking wet. Thought with his new features the water was probably preferable. Could they undo it? Or would that be just a painful?

Closed RP- Continuation of Scenario 1

TW: Human Experimentation

[Cyclonis POV]

A sense of satisfaction was heavy as the machines around her started to power down. Smiling at Piper who she had forced to help her with this. She needed someone to stabalize her project and she knew her affection for the boy would have her give it her all to keep him alive. And as long as he made it through the night, it seemed to be a success. Despite how shallow his breathing was.

Dark secrets that made his blood boil and his stomach churn.

Austry was the only person he trusted to follow him down there and come back out in one piece, despite the current tension between them. Whatever Cyclonis had planned, he hoped it wouldn't shatter what little faith his friend may have had in him.

The halls were dark, and the air down here was stagnant. The metal walls were unnaturally clean despite so few people ever coming down here; not even housekeepers were allowed down here to keep things from getting dusty. Tension rose in his shoulders the further down they went, and he kept stealing glances at Austry for... what? Reassurance? Solidarity?

He saw Cyclonis standing outside one of the many rooms, and his expression hardened.

"What do you want?" he asked, not bothering with formalities. She didn't get any grace from him in private, not any more. Not since she'd ripped the Citadel out of its foundations, causing chaos for the masses of Cyclonia.

Crying could be heard in the other room, and it sent a chill through his blood.

What had she done?

He stayed quiet as the approached the Empress, his eyes fixated on the door and the sound of crying inside. His skin prickled with crystal energy. What ever had happened, he knew it wasnt good. He didn't want to deal with the witch or storm hawks mage turned pet. He wanted into that room, despite the dread eating at his insides.

"I told you. I need you to clean up." She said simply. Catching his tone and the way he was standing. She knew he could be touchy about certain things but she had assumed he wouldn't have an issue with this.

"You know how we created our Family pets and even the Nightcrawlers. I just made use of some annoying baggage." She explained. Proud of how it went, especially since she had convinced Piper to join in.

Still wanting her to join her. She would join her. Perhaps depending how much of a mind her surviving friend kept, perhaps she'd stay just to be his handler.

Dark Ace's voice shook the walls, and he had half a mind to march after the girls and force them to explain what had happened. But Cyclonis's words and the smell of blood stopped him from making a move for either of them.

The door was ajar, and the air was much too still.

"This isn't fucking over, Cyclonis!" he barked before shoving the door open to look inside.

What he saw was something he'd never wanted to see again. Bloodstained work surfaces, a limp body on an operating table. He could see the changes right away, and the surgical scars across the boy's body.

"Finn?" He spoke softly, gently wiping away blood and sweat from the boys face.

Of all the things Cyclonis could decide to get into, human experiments was one of the few he couldn't justify or make excuses for. Even too himself. He looked to the Dark Ace a moment, decisions already made. He wasn't going to stick around for more of this.

He gently moved the boy's limbs. Checking his wounds, making sure everything had been closed properly. He grabbed clean rags to clean and wrap things, moving mostly on auto pilot.

Thats all Finn could really focus on as he felt someone. Something nudging him. Force that made him tense and flinch. "No..." he whimpered. Forcing an eye open only to see Dark Ace standing there.

A pained yelp escaping him as his eyes squeezed shut. Shaking as he started to become more aware of things besides just the pain. He felt weird, different. Memories of before coming back as he forced himself to open his eyes once more.

This time recognizing the nice talon who would give him treats. "Is it over?" He asked. Hopeful when he saw him. Before whimpering when he saw Dark Ace again.

There was a storm brewing in his chest. He'd made a lot, a lot of allowances for Cyclonis's actions under the basis that she would see reason eventually and slow down her rampage across Atmos, but this was unforgivable. Despite his disagreements with the boy, he would never have wished this on him.

"We're not going to hurt you, Finn. I promise. Can you tell me what hurts the most?" He asks, hoping maybe Finn could tell hi. What was the worst, then he could figure out more. He wanted to relieve the boys pain but he needed more information and trust before he started using his needles.

He could feel the rage coming off his friend as they wrapped the boy in the sheet.

Good.

"Lungs." He said. "Feel like, like I'm choking." He admitted. Moving to shift his position. The gills on the side of his neck opening and closing at each movement.

It was at this moment that he got a good look at his claws.

Claws.

His hands webbed and elongated. Panic settling further in his chest as he let out a scared yelp. "What-" he said before coughing. A pained moan escaping him at the pain that it caused. His new tail swishing under the blanket as he panted.

Blood sliding down his body from the still open lacerations on his body. He fought through the pain though as he reached out. Touching each fin and scale against his body. Realizing what that foreign feeling was now that he could actually see them.

"Close your eyes and steady your breathing," he said. His voice was tight with anger and nausea. The shaking of his hands made his motions rougher than he intended. "We'll get you out of here as soon as we can."

"Let's get you stitched up and clean." He said softly, gently cleaning a wound. For the moment, he forced himself to ignore the tears. He needed to treat the wounds quickly. The sooner they were done the sooner he could leave with Finn. He hated what that would mean for his family, but this was a line he couldn't overlook.

He paused only briefly at Dark Ace's words, wondering if he meant out of Cyclonia.

"Think you can stand?" He asked once hed finished cleaning and dressing Finn's wounds. He stood in front of him, offering his hands for support.

He had gotten close.

But he tried not to think about him. Or them or even himself. Dissociating had been working wonders for him.

But now.

Body wrong. Pain unlike anything he had felt before. And the one helping him was the monster that forced him here. Finn not seeing much difference between Dark Ace and Cyclonis. Yet here he was trying to wipe the blood away. Applying water at the part of him that burned. The feeling soothing but only a small reprieve from everything else.

Then Dark Aces anger filled voice reached him. Causing him to flinch. The words not even registering to him as he just started crying harder. Unable to stop it at this point.

He barely noticed what Austry was doing. Until he caught sight of the needles. Tensing before he realized what he was doing. Reminding himself that this was the Pie Cyclonian. He had always been kind.

He managed at that point to first here Dark Ace promise to let him out of here. As well as Austry's question of if he could stand. Offering himself for support.

He didn't know if he could. But sniffling he knew he had to try. Shifting he pushed himself off of the operating table. Only slightly stumbling. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at himself now that he was standing.

Seeing the quick stitch Austry had given him. The new scales along his body. He was longer too. Not just cause of his 'tail' behind him. If he could even call it that. It had arms and he could move them, if a bit clumsy.

"She turned me into a monster." He realized. Instead of crying this time though he just started laughing. "Not the first time she did this to me either." He said. His laugh more shrill and panicked not amused but afraid.

He considered leading the way to his personal quarters, where Finn would be able to rest in an actual bed and perhaps take a shower while he and Austry talked about what to do next. But then he remembered how Cyclonis had been invading his private spaces more and more as of late. If she found out the newest subject of her curiosities was there, she could snatch him back whenever she felt like it.

"Do you still take supplies out to the Terra of Thorns?" he asked Austry. If the boy was fit to fly, then the unmapped Terra would be one of the safest places to take him.

The muffled sound of thunder made him look up, concerned. There hadn't been a storm in today's forecast so where had that come from? Hopefully it wouldn't stop them from flying.

"Come on, one step at a time."

He glanced at Dark Ace again wondering what his plan was exactly. They needed to leave the terra, not just this lab.

The question of the Terra of Thorns was a relief. It meant exactly what Austry had been hoping for. If Dark Ace left too over this... there was a good chance there would be consequences for the Empress she wouldn't be able to overlook.

"I do, yes." He nodded, "we could probably find a transport ship." The suggestion came out the same time as thunder rumbled outside. He wasn't exactly surprised to hear it considering Dark Ace's mood. The weather always weirdly seeming to coincide with the man's temper.

"It'll be better than trying to leave on skimmers, between his tail and the weather."

He didn't really find comfort in those words. But still tried. Looking away and instead keeping his eyes forward on the two in front of him.

Letting Austry guide him away from the bed. Feeling unsteady with the new weight and feel of his body.

His next words confused him even more. Somewhere else? "Wait-" he said softly barely audible as he tried to piece together what that meant.

The more they talked though he wondered. Were they... saving him? They weren't going to just throw him into a dungeon.

"Why are you? Are you helping me?" He asked unsure. Tail swishing behind him. Almost knocking him off of his feet as he messed up the movement of them.

"There's lines even I won't cross," he explained. "What Cyclonis has done to you is one of them."

Even though it didn't make the boy a monster, Cyclonis had committed an egregious violation that Dark Ace refused to stand by. If she could so easily do that to someone she saw as a trophy, who else was she willing to twist and break to fit her whims?

"There should be some transport ships in the southeast hangar," he said to Austry as they led Finn out of the lower levels. "I'm going to get Duchess from my quarters and I'll meet you there. Is there anything you want me to grab?"

He really wasn't sure when, or even if, he'd come back at this point and there were a few things he didn't want to leave behind. Some stubborn part of him was still reluctant to leave and abandon his duties, still sure that he could find a way to fix things from here, but one look at Finn was enough to shut those thoughts down.

"My mask... I keep it in my foot locker, under a false bottom." He didn't need anyone finding that. His friend could know the truth, he already knew he was an assassin for the Empress anyways.

He just nodded.

Growing quiet as he walked with them. Too tired and shocked to say much as they listed off what they might need. Still a bit uncertain what could happen. But despite his fears he found himself just numb. If they were actually just leading him out to kill him fine. At this point he didn't even care. He was tired and in pain and... missed Aerrow dearly.

Aerrow would have been stronger then him at this moment. He still couldn't believe Piper helped, why did she helped. This whole time... did she really hate him that much? Was that why they always sent him away or left him behind.

Did she... did they, not believe in him?

He almost felt like crying again as they arrived at the hanger. But held it together as Dark Ace ran off. Stepping into the ship that they were preparing. Before finding the closest soft thing to lay down on. His tail wrapping close against him. An instinctive thing that was already forming within him as it moved to cover his more sensitive and vulnerable spots.

He wanted to ask questions. Be brave. He wasn't though. He was tired. He was hurt. Walking here was already him going over his limit. So closing his eyes, he fell unconscious soon afterwards.

All in all, it didn't take long before he'd rejoined Austry and Finn at the transport ship. His eyes lingered on the boy's unconscious form for a moment before he went to help finish preparing for travel.

His heart was hammering in his chest as they took off, and he felt his hands shaking again. The anger and dread and that sick, haunted feeling he'd been trying to suppress this whole time was starting to catch up to him. It caught in his throat when he tried to say something to Austry, only coming out as a strangled croaking noise.

Fuck, not now… Fine, he wouldn't say anything. He'd just focus on the journey ahead. What would talking even do for him anyway?

Rain lashed against the ship's windows and thunder rumbled all around them, matching the tumultuous feelings rising up in his chest.

"I know your job is to look after Feathers, but i think he needs you too right now." He said softly, touching her head before looking at Finn, "Its not a very long flight, I promise." He assured him even as he quickly passed out. He'd definitely need antibiotics and painkillers once they arrived. Austry had stashed plenty over the years.

Joining Dark Ace at the controls he started the ships engines, sending them off into the storm. He heard the croak as Dark Ace tried to speak, knowing what was happening. He reached over and simply took his friends hand, he didn't need to speak for this.

Looking away as he slowly looked over himself again. Taking a shuddering breath as he took a quiet moment just to inspect himself. What he was now. He looked like some type of fish, he realized. Maybe thats why his lungs hurt so much?

Feeling his gills they felt dried and in pain. Foreign to his touch and sensitive. Pulling away he stared at the claws he had and the webbing on his hands.

Yeah definetly some type of fish. Moving to get up, it was as if everything hurt more now that he rested then it did before. A yelp escaping him as he moved in a way that jostled his stitches. Deciding to stay where he was instead. New leg on his 'tail' kicking as he pushed the new form of himself closer to him.

Taking the time to look over the colors of what he could only describe as a beastly form of himself. It was probably disingenuous to call it a tail. It wasn't. It was an extra piece of body. Uncertain of its place but still there.

Despite his hatred of what happened to himself. He had to admit his scales were beautiful. Almost iridescent in the light. His mind wrestled between the thoughts of this being him and completely denying it.

He made sure the ship stayed beneath the clouds as they flew to the Terra of Thorns, occasionally flying above them to check landmarks and make absolutely sure they were going in the right direction. The storm seemed to follow their little transport ship, conveniently obscuring them from any passing warships along the way.

Eventually, their destination came into view. A graveyard of abandoned ships overgrown with thorn bushes. It looked almost barren, but he and Austry knew that life hid just beneath the surface. He landed by the old husk of a decommissioned warship and cut the engines. But he didn't let himself feel relief just yet.

"The outside looks a lot worse than it actually is." He smiled awkwardly as he stepped back inside the transport ship, "Think you can walk again? The Captain's cabin has a bath you could probably fully submerge in." He offered his hands again, Duchess backing up a step but ready to press against the boys side the minute she could.

He didn't react much as the others walked away. Flinching at the sound of thunder. But staying where he was. As Austry returned he was instantly locked back into him.

At the question of walking again, he looked down at himself. At the mention of a bath though. His eyes just widened in concern again. "Is that- that will help?" He asked. Voice small, so unlike how he normally sounded.

He knew it probably would. He wasn't blind. But the idea of it. Was so terrifying. He didn't end up answering any of his questions. As he just curled up where he was.

He was already thinking over what to make. Something simple and easy to keep down for certain. Hopefully Finn's internal biology hadn't changed too much that he couldn't eat normal food.

He walked them deeper into the ship until the arrived at the captains quarters. The room divided into a sitting room and a bedroom. A side door leading off to a private bath.

Austry had at some point replaced the ratty rotting mattress for something more comfortable with clean sheets. He set Finn there before heading to the bathroom.

"Ill get the water going. What sounds better, hot or cool?" He asked, giving him the option.

Sitting on the bed, he watched as Austry went to the bath. Before asking him what temperature. He wasn't sure honestly, "Not... not too hot but not cold?" He said. His voice sounded stranger, the sharper teeth and different tongue felt weird. Part of why he also wasn't talking.

He got up instead of sitting, as he approached Austry. Stepping into the bathroom as he looked around. "My eyes are different." He said. Bringing a hand up as he forced himself to stare at himself again.

Slowly, he sank down onto his knees as the past few weeks finally caught up to him. The last few hours were the final straw. Duchess was immediately pressing up against him but he barely registered her attempts to ground him.

Two years.

The last two years had been a complete waste. Killing Anarchis had lead to Cyclonis turning out to be just as bad as her despite his efforts to steer her away from repeating her grandmother's mistakes. Sparing Aerrow had just ended in him killing the boy anyway and one of his teammates being subject to something he'd sworn to never let happen again. The Empire was at risk of cannibalising itself in Cyclonis's endless desire for conquest, stretching resources and military forces too thin and breeding nothing but avarice on all sides. His best friend could hardly look at him. The regret and disgust he'd been trying to shove down was finally rearing its ugly head.

Numb fingers tangled in Duchess's fur. Calm. He needed to calm down in case Austry came in. Why couldn't he just calm down? He wasn't even the one who'd been torn apart this time.

"To be honest... I don't know. Fused you with some sort of far side crystal." He stood, pulling Finn away from the mirror, "I know you want to focus on the what and the why but we should get you stable first. I know this is scary, trust me, I know what you're going through, so does Feathers. We're going to get you through this, I promise."

He kept Finn turned towards him, guiding him to the water as the storm picked up outside.

"Im... ill be right back, okay? Im going to see how food is coming along."

He kept his pace calm as he left the bathroom, only to break into a sprint once he was back in the hall. He didn't stop until he was in the kitchen, finding Duchess pressed against Dark Ace kneeling on the floor.

" I was afraid of that." He sighed, stepping closer, "Feathers, come back to me. Please?"

Finn looked away once he was around the corner. Feeling the water with his hand, it felt nice. He always liked the sea but had never felt at home with it. Hesitating a moment he pulled his hand back. Taking a moment to breathe, to prepare himself before finally moving to get into the water.

Instantly the effect of it was noticed. The itchy pain of his new scales softening as the water wrapped around him. His lungs didn't hurt as much either as he fully submerged himself. It was small, smaller then his new shape needed but it was something. He felt more flexible, able to wrap his lower tail around himself. In a comforting embrace. Similar to what he did before but it was more natural in the water.

He briefly wondered if this was what the Aquanosian felt like but in some ways he realized he was different from them. Similar but as similar as human was to a Wallop.

Closing his eyes, he just listened to the water around him. It had an almost song to it. Adjusted by each one of his movements. But muted due to the size. It was an unnatural place for water. Something he felt like he shouldn't know.

And yet he was learning anyway.

"You were right," he gasped out between unsteady breaths. "We would have been better off losing."

He should have done more, been firmer with Cyclonis and less subversive with Aerrow. Should have kept a closer eye on the cells and intervened with Cyclonis's Far Side bullshit sooner, maybe then he wouldn't have failed again to keep another kid from being torn apart and put back together wrong. What kind of Champion let their Empress step all over them and ran away when she finally crossed one too many lines?

A weak one. The words echoed in his head and cut through him the same way Anarchis used to.

"You should be with Finn. He needs you more than I do."

He shook his head when Dark Ace tried to send him away. Gently taking his hands in his.

"Finn isn't currently having a panic attack, you are." He glanced at Duchess, whos ears were laid back, clearly upset her usual tricks weren't working. "Go keep an eye on Finn, I got this." He told her before focusing back on his friend. She whined but did as he asked.

"Freathers... whats 5 things you can see?" He asked deciding to try a technique his uncle had taught him.

He shuddered slightly when Duchess left and clung onto Austry's hands for stability. The fact that Finn wasn't actively panicking right now didn't reassure him all that much. But the thought was quickly washed away by another wave of panic that he had to fight to stay focused through.

Five things he could see... Five things. His eyes darted around trying to settle on something.

"Now, 4 things you can touch." He coaxed waiting for an answer before moving on to the next steps, 3 things he could hear, 2 things he could smell, 1 thing he could taste.

The creaking of the ship's hull, a distant roll of thunder, and the humming of the fridge,

Dried rosemary and some sort of cleaning chemical,

He struggled a bit with the taste one before settling on toothpaste.

With each sense he listed off, Dark Ace did manage to come back to himself. His breathing evened out and his heartbeat wasn't so loud in his ears. He felt exhausted though.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, leaning forward until his forehead met Austry's. "I don't know why that was so difficult this time."

Pins and needles were starting to set into his legs and he began pulling himself up onto his feet before they fell asleep. Some part of him was still looking for a distraction, fixated on being helpful by making dinner.

"It feels like everything I've tried to do hasn't meant anything."

"You've done so much, and made a difference for so many. Myself included."

He waited until the Dark Ace's pulse had slowed down a bit more before letting him go.

"Why don't I help you make dinner? Then we can both go back and check on Finn." He trusted Duchess to keep the boy calm until they were able to return to him.

Closed RP- Continuation of Scenario 1

TW: Human Experimentation

[Cyclonis POV]

A sense of satisfaction was heavy as the machines around her started to power down. Smiling at Piper who she had forced to help her with this. She needed someone to stabalize her project and she knew her affection for the boy would have her give it her all to keep him alive. And as long as he made it through the night, it seemed to be a success. Despite how shallow his breathing was.

Dark secrets that made his blood boil and his stomach churn.

Austry was the only person he trusted to follow him down there and come back out in one piece, despite the current tension between them. Whatever Cyclonis had planned, he hoped it wouldn't shatter what little faith his friend may have had in him.

The halls were dark, and the air down here was stagnant. The metal walls were unnaturally clean despite so few people ever coming down here; not even housekeepers were allowed down here to keep things from getting dusty. Tension rose in his shoulders the further down they went, and he kept stealing glances at Austry for... what? Reassurance? Solidarity?

He saw Cyclonis standing outside one of the many rooms, and his expression hardened.

"What do you want?" he asked, not bothering with formalities. She didn't get any grace from him in private, not any more. Not since she'd ripped the Citadel out of its foundations, causing chaos for the masses of Cyclonia.

Crying could be heard in the other room, and it sent a chill through his blood.

What had she done?

He stayed quiet as the approached the Empress, his eyes fixated on the door and the sound of crying inside. His skin prickled with crystal energy. What ever had happened, he knew it wasnt good. He didn't want to deal with the witch or storm hawks mage turned pet. He wanted into that room, despite the dread eating at his insides.

"I told you. I need you to clean up." She said simply. Catching his tone and the way he was standing. She knew he could be touchy about certain things but she had assumed he wouldn't have an issue with this.

"You know how we created our Family pets and even the Nightcrawlers. I just made use of some annoying baggage." She explained. Proud of how it went, especially since she had convinced Piper to join in.

Still wanting her to join her. She would join her. Perhaps depending how much of a mind her surviving friend kept, perhaps she'd stay just to be his handler.

Dark Ace's voice shook the walls, and he had half a mind to march after the girls and force them to explain what had happened. But Cyclonis's words and the smell of blood stopped him from making a move for either of them.

The door was ajar, and the air was much too still.

"This isn't fucking over, Cyclonis!" he barked before shoving the door open to look inside.

What he saw was something he'd never wanted to see again. Bloodstained work surfaces, a limp body on an operating table. He could see the changes right away, and the surgical scars across the boy's body.

"Finn?" He spoke softly, gently wiping away blood and sweat from the boys face.

Of all the things Cyclonis could decide to get into, human experiments was one of the few he couldn't justify or make excuses for. Even too himself. He looked to the Dark Ace a moment, decisions already made. He wasn't going to stick around for more of this.

He gently moved the boy's limbs. Checking his wounds, making sure everything had been closed properly. He grabbed clean rags to clean and wrap things, moving mostly on auto pilot.

Thats all Finn could really focus on as he felt someone. Something nudging him. Force that made him tense and flinch. "No..." he whimpered. Forcing an eye open only to see Dark Ace standing there.

A pained yelp escaping him as his eyes squeezed shut. Shaking as he started to become more aware of things besides just the pain. He felt weird, different. Memories of before coming back as he forced himself to open his eyes once more.

This time recognizing the nice talon who would give him treats. "Is it over?" He asked. Hopeful when he saw him. Before whimpering when he saw Dark Ace again.

There was a storm brewing in his chest. He'd made a lot, a lot of allowances for Cyclonis's actions under the basis that she would see reason eventually and slow down her rampage across Atmos, but this was unforgivable. Despite his disagreements with the boy, he would never have wished this on him.

"We're not going to hurt you, Finn. I promise. Can you tell me what hurts the most?" He asks, hoping maybe Finn could tell hi. What was the worst, then he could figure out more. He wanted to relieve the boys pain but he needed more information and trust before he started using his needles.

He could feel the rage coming off his friend as they wrapped the boy in the sheet.

Good.

"Lungs." He said. "Feel like, like I'm choking." He admitted. Moving to shift his position. The gills on the side of his neck opening and closing at each movement.

It was at this moment that he got a good look at his claws.

Claws.

His hands webbed and elongated. Panic settling further in his chest as he let out a scared yelp. "What-" he said before coughing. A pained moan escaping him at the pain that it caused. His new tail swishing under the blanket as he panted.

Blood sliding down his body from the still open lacerations on his body. He fought through the pain though as he reached out. Touching each fin and scale against his body. Realizing what that foreign feeling was now that he could actually see them.

"Close your eyes and steady your breathing," he said. His voice was tight with anger and nausea. The shaking of his hands made his motions rougher than he intended. "We'll get you out of here as soon as we can."

"Let's get you stitched up and clean." He said softly, gently cleaning a wound. For the moment, he forced himself to ignore the tears. He needed to treat the wounds quickly. The sooner they were done the sooner he could leave with Finn. He hated what that would mean for his family, but this was a line he couldn't overlook.

He paused only briefly at Dark Ace's words, wondering if he meant out of Cyclonia.

"Think you can stand?" He asked once hed finished cleaning and dressing Finn's wounds. He stood in front of him, offering his hands for support.

He had gotten close.

But he tried not to think about him. Or them or even himself. Dissociating had been working wonders for him.

But now.

Body wrong. Pain unlike anything he had felt before. And the one helping him was the monster that forced him here. Finn not seeing much difference between Dark Ace and Cyclonis. Yet here he was trying to wipe the blood away. Applying water at the part of him that burned. The feeling soothing but only a small reprieve from everything else.

Then Dark Aces anger filled voice reached him. Causing him to flinch. The words not even registering to him as he just started crying harder. Unable to stop it at this point.

He barely noticed what Austry was doing. Until he caught sight of the needles. Tensing before he realized what he was doing. Reminding himself that this was the Pie Cyclonian. He had always been kind.

He managed at that point to first here Dark Ace promise to let him out of here. As well as Austry's question of if he could stand. Offering himself for support.

He didn't know if he could. But sniffling he knew he had to try. Shifting he pushed himself off of the operating table. Only slightly stumbling. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at himself now that he was standing.

Seeing the quick stitch Austry had given him. The new scales along his body. He was longer too. Not just cause of his 'tail' behind him. If he could even call it that. It had arms and he could move them, if a bit clumsy.

"She turned me into a monster." He realized. Instead of crying this time though he just started laughing. "Not the first time she did this to me either." He said. His laugh more shrill and panicked not amused but afraid.

He considered leading the way to his personal quarters, where Finn would be able to rest in an actual bed and perhaps take a shower while he and Austry talked about what to do next. But then he remembered how Cyclonis had been invading his private spaces more and more as of late. If she found out the newest subject of her curiosities was there, she could snatch him back whenever she felt like it.

"Do you still take supplies out to the Terra of Thorns?" he asked Austry. If the boy was fit to fly, then the unmapped Terra would be one of the safest places to take him.

The muffled sound of thunder made him look up, concerned. There hadn't been a storm in today's forecast so where had that come from? Hopefully it wouldn't stop them from flying.

"Come on, one step at a time."

He glanced at Dark Ace again wondering what his plan was exactly. They needed to leave the terra, not just this lab.

The question of the Terra of Thorns was a relief. It meant exactly what Austry had been hoping for. If Dark Ace left too over this... there was a good chance there would be consequences for the Empress she wouldn't be able to overlook.

"I do, yes." He nodded, "we could probably find a transport ship." The suggestion came out the same time as thunder rumbled outside. He wasn't exactly surprised to hear it considering Dark Ace's mood. The weather always weirdly seeming to coincide with the man's temper.

"It'll be better than trying to leave on skimmers, between his tail and the weather."

He didn't really find comfort in those words. But still tried. Looking away and instead keeping his eyes forward on the two in front of him.

Letting Austry guide him away from the bed. Feeling unsteady with the new weight and feel of his body.

His next words confused him even more. Somewhere else? "Wait-" he said softly barely audible as he tried to piece together what that meant.

The more they talked though he wondered. Were they... saving him? They weren't going to just throw him into a dungeon.

"Why are you? Are you helping me?" He asked unsure. Tail swishing behind him. Almost knocking him off of his feet as he messed up the movement of them.

"There's lines even I won't cross," he explained. "What Cyclonis has done to you is one of them."

Even though it didn't make the boy a monster, Cyclonis had committed an egregious violation that Dark Ace refused to stand by. If she could so easily do that to someone she saw as a trophy, who else was she willing to twist and break to fit her whims?

"There should be some transport ships in the southeast hangar," he said to Austry as they led Finn out of the lower levels. "I'm going to get Duchess from my quarters and I'll meet you there. Is there anything you want me to grab?"

He really wasn't sure when, or even if, he'd come back at this point and there were a few things he didn't want to leave behind. Some stubborn part of him was still reluctant to leave and abandon his duties, still sure that he could find a way to fix things from here, but one look at Finn was enough to shut those thoughts down.

"My mask... I keep it in my foot locker, under a false bottom." He didn't need anyone finding that. His friend could know the truth, he already knew he was an assassin for the Empress anyways.

He just nodded.

Growing quiet as he walked with them. Too tired and shocked to say much as they listed off what they might need. Still a bit uncertain what could happen. But despite his fears he found himself just numb. If they were actually just leading him out to kill him fine. At this point he didn't even care. He was tired and in pain and... missed Aerrow dearly.

Aerrow would have been stronger then him at this moment. He still couldn't believe Piper helped, why did she helped. This whole time... did she really hate him that much? Was that why they always sent him away or left him behind.

Did she... did they, not believe in him?

He almost felt like crying again as they arrived at the hanger. But held it together as Dark Ace ran off. Stepping into the ship that they were preparing. Before finding the closest soft thing to lay down on. His tail wrapping close against him. An instinctive thing that was already forming within him as it moved to cover his more sensitive and vulnerable spots.

He wanted to ask questions. Be brave. He wasn't though. He was tired. He was hurt. Walking here was already him going over his limit. So closing his eyes, he fell unconscious soon afterwards.

All in all, it didn't take long before he'd rejoined Austry and Finn at the transport ship. His eyes lingered on the boy's unconscious form for a moment before he went to help finish preparing for travel.

His heart was hammering in his chest as they took off, and he felt his hands shaking again. The anger and dread and that sick, haunted feeling he'd been trying to suppress this whole time was starting to catch up to him. It caught in his throat when he tried to say something to Austry, only coming out as a strangled croaking noise.

Fuck, not now… Fine, he wouldn't say anything. He'd just focus on the journey ahead. What would talking even do for him anyway?

Rain lashed against the ship's windows and thunder rumbled all around them, matching the tumultuous feelings rising up in his chest.

"I know your job is to look after Feathers, but i think he needs you too right now." He said softly, touching her head before looking at Finn, "Its not a very long flight, I promise." He assured him even as he quickly passed out. He'd definitely need antibiotics and painkillers once they arrived. Austry had stashed plenty over the years.

Joining Dark Ace at the controls he started the ships engines, sending them off into the storm. He heard the croak as Dark Ace tried to speak, knowing what was happening. He reached over and simply took his friends hand, he didn't need to speak for this.

Looking away as he slowly looked over himself again. Taking a shuddering breath as he took a quiet moment just to inspect himself. What he was now. He looked like some type of fish, he realized. Maybe thats why his lungs hurt so much?

Feeling his gills they felt dried and in pain. Foreign to his touch and sensitive. Pulling away he stared at the claws he had and the webbing on his hands.

Yeah definetly some type of fish. Moving to get up, it was as if everything hurt more now that he rested then it did before. A yelp escaping him as he moved in a way that jostled his stitches. Deciding to stay where he was instead. New leg on his 'tail' kicking as he pushed the new form of himself closer to him.

Taking the time to look over the colors of what he could only describe as a beastly form of himself. It was probably disingenuous to call it a tail. It wasn't. It was an extra piece of body. Uncertain of its place but still there.

Despite his hatred of what happened to himself. He had to admit his scales were beautiful. Almost iridescent in the light. His mind wrestled between the thoughts of this being him and completely denying it.

He made sure the ship stayed beneath the clouds as they flew to the Terra of Thorns, occasionally flying above them to check landmarks and make absolutely sure they were going in the right direction. The storm seemed to follow their little transport ship, conveniently obscuring them from any passing warships along the way.

Eventually, their destination came into view. A graveyard of abandoned ships overgrown with thorn bushes. It looked almost barren, but he and Austry knew that life hid just beneath the surface. He landed by the old husk of a decommissioned warship and cut the engines. But he didn't let himself feel relief just yet.

"The outside looks a lot worse than it actually is." He smiled awkwardly as he stepped back inside the transport ship, "Think you can walk again? The Captain's cabin has a bath you could probably fully submerge in." He offered his hands again, Duchess backing up a step but ready to press against the boys side the minute she could.

He didn't react much as the others walked away. Flinching at the sound of thunder. But staying where he was. As Austry returned he was instantly locked back into him.

At the question of walking again, he looked down at himself. At the mention of a bath though. His eyes just widened in concern again. "Is that- that will help?" He asked. Voice small, so unlike how he normally sounded.

He knew it probably would. He wasn't blind. But the idea of it. Was so terrifying. He didn't end up answering any of his questions. As he just curled up where he was.

He was already thinking over what to make. Something simple and easy to keep down for certain. Hopefully Finn's internal biology hadn't changed too much that he couldn't eat normal food.

He walked them deeper into the ship until the arrived at the captains quarters. The room divided into a sitting room and a bedroom. A side door leading off to a private bath.

Austry had at some point replaced the ratty rotting mattress for something more comfortable with clean sheets. He set Finn there before heading to the bathroom.

"Ill get the water going. What sounds better, hot or cool?" He asked, giving him the option.

Sitting on the bed, he watched as Austry went to the bath. Before asking him what temperature. He wasn't sure honestly, "Not... not too hot but not cold?" He said. His voice sounded stranger, the sharper teeth and different tongue felt weird. Part of why he also wasn't talking.

He got up instead of sitting, as he approached Austry. Stepping into the bathroom as he looked around. "My eyes are different." He said. Bringing a hand up as he forced himself to stare at himself again.

Slowly, he sank down onto his knees as the past few weeks finally caught up to him. The last few hours were the final straw. Duchess was immediately pressing up against him but he barely registered her attempts to ground him.

Two years.

The last two years had been a complete waste. Killing Anarchis had lead to Cyclonis turning out to be just as bad as her despite his efforts to steer her away from repeating her grandmother's mistakes. Sparing Aerrow had just ended in him killing the boy anyway and one of his teammates being subject to something he'd sworn to never let happen again. The Empire was at risk of cannibalising itself in Cyclonis's endless desire for conquest, stretching resources and military forces too thin and breeding nothing but avarice on all sides. His best friend could hardly look at him. The regret and disgust he'd been trying to shove down was finally rearing its ugly head.

Numb fingers tangled in Duchess's fur. Calm. He needed to calm down in case Austry came in. Why couldn't he just calm down? He wasn't even the one who'd been torn apart this time.

"To be honest... I don't know. Fused you with some sort of far side crystal." He stood, pulling Finn away from the mirror, "I know you want to focus on the what and the why but we should get you stable first. I know this is scary, trust me, I know what you're going through, so does Feathers. We're going to get you through this, I promise."

He kept Finn turned towards him, guiding him to the water as the storm picked up outside.

"Im... ill be right back, okay? Im going to see how food is coming along."

He kept his pace calm as he left the bathroom, only to break into a sprint once he was back in the hall. He didn't stop until he was in the kitchen, finding Duchess pressed against Dark Ace kneeling on the floor.

" I was afraid of that." He sighed, stepping closer, "Feathers, come back to me. Please?"

Finn looked away once he was around the corner. Feeling the water with his hand, it felt nice. He always liked the sea but had never felt at home with it. Hesitating a moment he pulled his hand back. Taking a moment to breathe, to prepare himself before finally moving to get into the water.

Instantly the effect of it was noticed. The itchy pain of his new scales softening as the water wrapped around him. His lungs didn't hurt as much either as he fully submerged himself. It was small, smaller then his new shape needed but it was something. He felt more flexible, able to wrap his lower tail around himself. In a comforting embrace. Similar to what he did before but it was more natural in the water.

He briefly wondered if this was what the Aquanosian felt like but in some ways he realized he was different from them. Similar but as similar as human was to a Wallop.

Closing his eyes, he just listened to the water around him. It had an almost song to it. Adjusted by each one of his movements. But muted due to the size. It was an unnatural place for water. Something he felt like he shouldn't know.

And yet he was learning anyway.

"You were right," he gasped out between unsteady breaths. "We would have been better off losing."

He should have done more, been firmer with Cyclonis and less subversive with Aerrow. Should have kept a closer eye on the cells and intervened with Cyclonis's Far Side bullshit sooner, maybe then he wouldn't have failed again to keep another kid from being torn apart and put back together wrong. What kind of Champion let their Empress step all over them and ran away when she finally crossed one too many lines?

A weak one. The words echoed in his head and cut through him the same way Anarchis used to.

"You should be with Finn. He needs you more than I do."

He shook his head when Dark Ace tried to send him away. Gently taking his hands in his.

"Finn isn't currently having a panic attack, you are." He glanced at Duchess, whos ears were laid back, clearly upset her usual tricks weren't working. "Go keep an eye on Finn, I got this." He told her before focusing back on his friend. She whined but did as he asked.

"Freathers... whats 5 things you can see?" He asked deciding to try a technique his uncle had taught him.

He shuddered slightly when Duchess left and clung onto Austry's hands for stability. The fact that Finn wasn't actively panicking right now didn't reassure him all that much. But the thought was quickly washed away by another wave of panic that he had to fight to stay focused through.

Five things he could see... Five things. His eyes darted around trying to settle on something.

"Now, 4 things you can touch." He coaxed waiting for an answer before moving on to the next steps, 3 things he could hear, 2 things he could smell, 1 thing he could taste.

Closed RP- Continuation of Scenario 1

TW: Human Experimentation

[Cyclonis POV]

A sense of satisfaction was heavy as the machines around her started to power down. Smiling at Piper who she had forced to help her with this. She needed someone to stabalize her project and she knew her affection for the boy would have her give it her all to keep him alive. And as long as he made it through the night, it seemed to be a success. Despite how shallow his breathing was.

Dark secrets that made his blood boil and his stomach churn.

Austry was the only person he trusted to follow him down there and come back out in one piece, despite the current tension between them. Whatever Cyclonis had planned, he hoped it wouldn't shatter what little faith his friend may have had in him.

The halls were dark, and the air down here was stagnant. The metal walls were unnaturally clean despite so few people ever coming down here; not even housekeepers were allowed down here to keep things from getting dusty. Tension rose in his shoulders the further down they went, and he kept stealing glances at Austry for... what? Reassurance? Solidarity?

He saw Cyclonis standing outside one of the many rooms, and his expression hardened.

"What do you want?" he asked, not bothering with formalities. She didn't get any grace from him in private, not any more. Not since she'd ripped the Citadel out of its foundations, causing chaos for the masses of Cyclonia.

Crying could be heard in the other room, and it sent a chill through his blood.

What had she done?

He stayed quiet as the approached the Empress, his eyes fixated on the door and the sound of crying inside. His skin prickled with crystal energy. What ever had happened, he knew it wasnt good. He didn't want to deal with the witch or storm hawks mage turned pet. He wanted into that room, despite the dread eating at his insides.

"I told you. I need you to clean up." She said simply. Catching his tone and the way he was standing. She knew he could be touchy about certain things but she had assumed he wouldn't have an issue with this.

"You know how we created our Family pets and even the Nightcrawlers. I just made use of some annoying baggage." She explained. Proud of how it went, especially since she had convinced Piper to join in.

Still wanting her to join her. She would join her. Perhaps depending how much of a mind her surviving friend kept, perhaps she'd stay just to be his handler.

Dark Ace's voice shook the walls, and he had half a mind to march after the girls and force them to explain what had happened. But Cyclonis's words and the smell of blood stopped him from making a move for either of them.

The door was ajar, and the air was much too still.

"This isn't fucking over, Cyclonis!" he barked before shoving the door open to look inside.

What he saw was something he'd never wanted to see again. Bloodstained work surfaces, a limp body on an operating table. He could see the changes right away, and the surgical scars across the boy's body.

"Finn?" He spoke softly, gently wiping away blood and sweat from the boys face.

Of all the things Cyclonis could decide to get into, human experiments was one of the few he couldn't justify or make excuses for. Even too himself. He looked to the Dark Ace a moment, decisions already made. He wasn't going to stick around for more of this.

He gently moved the boy's limbs. Checking his wounds, making sure everything had been closed properly. He grabbed clean rags to clean and wrap things, moving mostly on auto pilot.

Thats all Finn could really focus on as he felt someone. Something nudging him. Force that made him tense and flinch. "No..." he whimpered. Forcing an eye open only to see Dark Ace standing there.

A pained yelp escaping him as his eyes squeezed shut. Shaking as he started to become more aware of things besides just the pain. He felt weird, different. Memories of before coming back as he forced himself to open his eyes once more.

This time recognizing the nice talon who would give him treats. "Is it over?" He asked. Hopeful when he saw him. Before whimpering when he saw Dark Ace again.

There was a storm brewing in his chest. He'd made a lot, a lot of allowances for Cyclonis's actions under the basis that she would see reason eventually and slow down her rampage across Atmos, but this was unforgivable. Despite his disagreements with the boy, he would never have wished this on him.

"We're not going to hurt you, Finn. I promise. Can you tell me what hurts the most?" He asks, hoping maybe Finn could tell hi. What was the worst, then he could figure out more. He wanted to relieve the boys pain but he needed more information and trust before he started using his needles.

He could feel the rage coming off his friend as they wrapped the boy in the sheet.

Good.

"Lungs." He said. "Feel like, like I'm choking." He admitted. Moving to shift his position. The gills on the side of his neck opening and closing at each movement.

It was at this moment that he got a good look at his claws.

Claws.

His hands webbed and elongated. Panic settling further in his chest as he let out a scared yelp. "What-" he said before coughing. A pained moan escaping him at the pain that it caused. His new tail swishing under the blanket as he panted.

Blood sliding down his body from the still open lacerations on his body. He fought through the pain though as he reached out. Touching each fin and scale against his body. Realizing what that foreign feeling was now that he could actually see them.

"Close your eyes and steady your breathing," he said. His voice was tight with anger and nausea. The shaking of his hands made his motions rougher than he intended. "We'll get you out of here as soon as we can."

"Let's get you stitched up and clean." He said softly, gently cleaning a wound. For the moment, he forced himself to ignore the tears. He needed to treat the wounds quickly. The sooner they were done the sooner he could leave with Finn. He hated what that would mean for his family, but this was a line he couldn't overlook.

He paused only briefly at Dark Ace's words, wondering if he meant out of Cyclonia.

"Think you can stand?" He asked once hed finished cleaning and dressing Finn's wounds. He stood in front of him, offering his hands for support.

He had gotten close.

But he tried not to think about him. Or them or even himself. Dissociating had been working wonders for him.

But now.

Body wrong. Pain unlike anything he had felt before. And the one helping him was the monster that forced him here. Finn not seeing much difference between Dark Ace and Cyclonis. Yet here he was trying to wipe the blood away. Applying water at the part of him that burned. The feeling soothing but only a small reprieve from everything else.

Then Dark Aces anger filled voice reached him. Causing him to flinch. The words not even registering to him as he just started crying harder. Unable to stop it at this point.

He barely noticed what Austry was doing. Until he caught sight of the needles. Tensing before he realized what he was doing. Reminding himself that this was the Pie Cyclonian. He had always been kind.

He managed at that point to first here Dark Ace promise to let him out of here. As well as Austry's question of if he could stand. Offering himself for support.

He didn't know if he could. But sniffling he knew he had to try. Shifting he pushed himself off of the operating table. Only slightly stumbling. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at himself now that he was standing.

Seeing the quick stitch Austry had given him. The new scales along his body. He was longer too. Not just cause of his 'tail' behind him. If he could even call it that. It had arms and he could move them, if a bit clumsy.

"She turned me into a monster." He realized. Instead of crying this time though he just started laughing. "Not the first time she did this to me either." He said. His laugh more shrill and panicked not amused but afraid.

He considered leading the way to his personal quarters, where Finn would be able to rest in an actual bed and perhaps take a shower while he and Austry talked about what to do next. But then he remembered how Cyclonis had been invading his private spaces more and more as of late. If she found out the newest subject of her curiosities was there, she could snatch him back whenever she felt like it.

"Do you still take supplies out to the Terra of Thorns?" he asked Austry. If the boy was fit to fly, then the unmapped Terra would be one of the safest places to take him.

The muffled sound of thunder made him look up, concerned. There hadn't been a storm in today's forecast so where had that come from? Hopefully it wouldn't stop them from flying.

"Come on, one step at a time."

He glanced at Dark Ace again wondering what his plan was exactly. They needed to leave the terra, not just this lab.

The question of the Terra of Thorns was a relief. It meant exactly what Austry had been hoping for. If Dark Ace left too over this... there was a good chance there would be consequences for the Empress she wouldn't be able to overlook.

"I do, yes." He nodded, "we could probably find a transport ship." The suggestion came out the same time as thunder rumbled outside. He wasn't exactly surprised to hear it considering Dark Ace's mood. The weather always weirdly seeming to coincide with the man's temper.

"It'll be better than trying to leave on skimmers, between his tail and the weather."

He didn't really find comfort in those words. But still tried. Looking away and instead keeping his eyes forward on the two in front of him.

Letting Austry guide him away from the bed. Feeling unsteady with the new weight and feel of his body.

His next words confused him even more. Somewhere else? "Wait-" he said softly barely audible as he tried to piece together what that meant.

The more they talked though he wondered. Were they... saving him? They weren't going to just throw him into a dungeon.

"Why are you? Are you helping me?" He asked unsure. Tail swishing behind him. Almost knocking him off of his feet as he messed up the movement of them.

"There's lines even I won't cross," he explained. "What Cyclonis has done to you is one of them."

Even though it didn't make the boy a monster, Cyclonis had committed an egregious violation that Dark Ace refused to stand by. If she could so easily do that to someone she saw as a trophy, who else was she willing to twist and break to fit her whims?

"There should be some transport ships in the southeast hangar," he said to Austry as they led Finn out of the lower levels. "I'm going to get Duchess from my quarters and I'll meet you there. Is there anything you want me to grab?"

He really wasn't sure when, or even if, he'd come back at this point and there were a few things he didn't want to leave behind. Some stubborn part of him was still reluctant to leave and abandon his duties, still sure that he could find a way to fix things from here, but one look at Finn was enough to shut those thoughts down.

"My mask... I keep it in my foot locker, under a false bottom." He didn't need anyone finding that. His friend could know the truth, he already knew he was an assassin for the Empress anyways.

He just nodded.

Growing quiet as he walked with them. Too tired and shocked to say much as they listed off what they might need. Still a bit uncertain what could happen. But despite his fears he found himself just numb. If they were actually just leading him out to kill him fine. At this point he didn't even care. He was tired and in pain and... missed Aerrow dearly.

Aerrow would have been stronger then him at this moment. He still couldn't believe Piper helped, why did she helped. This whole time... did she really hate him that much? Was that why they always sent him away or left him behind.

Did she... did they, not believe in him?

He almost felt like crying again as they arrived at the hanger. But held it together as Dark Ace ran off. Stepping into the ship that they were preparing. Before finding the closest soft thing to lay down on. His tail wrapping close against him. An instinctive thing that was already forming within him as it moved to cover his more sensitive and vulnerable spots.

He wanted to ask questions. Be brave. He wasn't though. He was tired. He was hurt. Walking here was already him going over his limit. So closing his eyes, he fell unconscious soon afterwards.

All in all, it didn't take long before he'd rejoined Austry and Finn at the transport ship. His eyes lingered on the boy's unconscious form for a moment before he went to help finish preparing for travel.

His heart was hammering in his chest as they took off, and he felt his hands shaking again. The anger and dread and that sick, haunted feeling he'd been trying to suppress this whole time was starting to catch up to him. It caught in his throat when he tried to say something to Austry, only coming out as a strangled croaking noise.

Fuck, not now… Fine, he wouldn't say anything. He'd just focus on the journey ahead. What would talking even do for him anyway?

Rain lashed against the ship's windows and thunder rumbled all around them, matching the tumultuous feelings rising up in his chest.

"I know your job is to look after Feathers, but i think he needs you too right now." He said softly, touching her head before looking at Finn, "Its not a very long flight, I promise." He assured him even as he quickly passed out. He'd definitely need antibiotics and painkillers once they arrived. Austry had stashed plenty over the years.

Joining Dark Ace at the controls he started the ships engines, sending them off into the storm. He heard the croak as Dark Ace tried to speak, knowing what was happening. He reached over and simply took his friends hand, he didn't need to speak for this.

Looking away as he slowly looked over himself again. Taking a shuddering breath as he took a quiet moment just to inspect himself. What he was now. He looked like some type of fish, he realized. Maybe thats why his lungs hurt so much?

Feeling his gills they felt dried and in pain. Foreign to his touch and sensitive. Pulling away he stared at the claws he had and the webbing on his hands.

Yeah definetly some type of fish. Moving to get up, it was as if everything hurt more now that he rested then it did before. A yelp escaping him as he moved in a way that jostled his stitches. Deciding to stay where he was instead. New leg on his 'tail' kicking as he pushed the new form of himself closer to him.

Taking the time to look over the colors of what he could only describe as a beastly form of himself. It was probably disingenuous to call it a tail. It wasn't. It was an extra piece of body. Uncertain of its place but still there.

Despite his hatred of what happened to himself. He had to admit his scales were beautiful. Almost iridescent in the light. His mind wrestled between the thoughts of this being him and completely denying it.

He made sure the ship stayed beneath the clouds as they flew to the Terra of Thorns, occasionally flying above them to check landmarks and make absolutely sure they were going in the right direction. The storm seemed to follow their little transport ship, conveniently obscuring them from any passing warships along the way.

Eventually, their destination came into view. A graveyard of abandoned ships overgrown with thorn bushes. It looked almost barren, but he and Austry knew that life hid just beneath the surface. He landed by the old husk of a decommissioned warship and cut the engines. But he didn't let himself feel relief just yet.

"The outside looks a lot worse than it actually is." He smiled awkwardly as he stepped back inside the transport ship, "Think you can walk again? The Captain's cabin has a bath you could probably fully submerge in." He offered his hands again, Duchess backing up a step but ready to press against the boys side the minute she could.

He didn't react much as the others walked away. Flinching at the sound of thunder. But staying where he was. As Austry returned he was instantly locked back into him.

At the question of walking again, he looked down at himself. At the mention of a bath though. His eyes just widened in concern again. "Is that- that will help?" He asked. Voice small, so unlike how he normally sounded.

He knew it probably would. He wasn't blind. But the idea of it. Was so terrifying. He didn't end up answering any of his questions. As he just curled up where he was.

He was already thinking over what to make. Something simple and easy to keep down for certain. Hopefully Finn's internal biology hadn't changed too much that he couldn't eat normal food.

He walked them deeper into the ship until the arrived at the captains quarters. The room divided into a sitting room and a bedroom. A side door leading off to a private bath.

Austry had at some point replaced the ratty rotting mattress for something more comfortable with clean sheets. He set Finn there before heading to the bathroom.

"Ill get the water going. What sounds better, hot or cool?" He asked, giving him the option.

Sitting on the bed, he watched as Austry went to the bath. Before asking him what temperature. He wasn't sure honestly, "Not... not too hot but not cold?" He said. His voice sounded stranger, the sharper teeth and different tongue felt weird. Part of why he also wasn't talking.

He got up instead of sitting, as he approached Austry. Stepping into the bathroom as he looked around. "My eyes are different." He said. Bringing a hand up as he forced himself to stare at himself again.

Slowly, he sank down onto his knees as the past few weeks finally caught up to him. The last few hours were the final straw. Duchess was immediately pressing up against him but he barely registered her attempts to ground him.

Two years.

The last two years had been a complete waste. Killing Anarchis had lead to Cyclonis turning out to be just as bad as her despite his efforts to steer her away from repeating her grandmother's mistakes. Sparing Aerrow had just ended in him killing the boy anyway and one of his teammates being subject to something he'd sworn to never let happen again. The Empire was at risk of cannibalising itself in Cyclonis's endless desire for conquest, stretching resources and military forces too thin and breeding nothing but avarice on all sides. His best friend could hardly look at him. The regret and disgust he'd been trying to shove down was finally rearing its ugly head.

Numb fingers tangled in Duchess's fur. Calm. He needed to calm down in case Austry came in. Why couldn't he just calm down? He wasn't even the one who'd been torn apart this time.

"To be honest... I don't know. Fused you with some sort of far side crystal." He stood, pulling Finn away from the mirror, "I know you want to focus on the what and the why but we should get you stable first. I know this is scary, trust me, I know what you're going through, so does Feathers. We're going to get you through this, I promise."

He kept Finn turned towards him, guiding him to the water as the storm picked up outside.

"Im... ill be right back, okay? Im going to see how food is coming along."

He kept his pace calm as he left the bathroom, only to break into a sprint once he was back in the hall. He didn't stop until he was in the kitchen, finding Duchess pressed against Dark Ace kneeling on the floor.

" I was afraid of that." He sighed, stepping closer, "Feathers, come back to me. Please?"

Finn looked away once he was around the corner. Feeling the water with his hand, it felt nice. He always liked the sea but had never felt at home with it. Hesitating a moment he pulled his hand back. Taking a moment to breathe, to prepare himself before finally moving to get into the water.

Instantly the effect of it was noticed. The itchy pain of his new scales softening as the water wrapped around him. His lungs didn't hurt as much either as he fully submerged himself. It was small, smaller then his new shape needed but it was something. He felt more flexible, able to wrap his lower tail around himself. In a comforting embrace. Similar to what he did before but it was more natural in the water.

He briefly wondered if this was what the Aquanosian felt like but in some ways he realized he was different from them. Similar but as similar as human was to a Wallop.

Closing his eyes, he just listened to the water around him. It had an almost song to it. Adjusted by each one of his movements. But muted due to the size. It was an unnatural place for water. Something he felt like he shouldn't know.

And yet he was learning anyway.

"You were right," he gasped out between unsteady breaths. "We would have been better off losing."

He should have done more, been firmer with Cyclonis and less subversive with Aerrow. Should have kept a closer eye on the cells and intervened with Cyclonis's Far Side bullshit sooner, maybe then he wouldn't have failed again to keep another kid from being torn apart and put back together wrong. What kind of Champion let their Empress step all over them and ran away when she finally crossed one too many lines?

A weak one. The words echoed in his head and cut through him the same way Anarchis used to.

"You should be with Finn. He needs you more than I do."

He shook his head when Dark Ace tried to send him away. Gently taking his hands in his.

"Finn isn't currently having a panic attack, you are." He glanced at Duchess, whos ears were laid back, clearly upset her usual tricks weren't working. "Go keep an eye on Finn, I got this." He told her before focusing back on his friend. She whined but did as he asked.

"Freathers... whats 5 things you can see?" He asked deciding to try a technique his uncle had taught him.

Closed RP- Continuation of Scenario 1

TW: Human Experimentation

[Cyclonis POV]

A sense of satisfaction was heavy as the machines around her started to power down. Smiling at Piper who she had forced to help her with this. She needed someone to stabalize her project and she knew her affection for the boy would have her give it her all to keep him alive. And as long as he made it through the night, it seemed to be a success. Despite how shallow his breathing was.

Dark secrets that made his blood boil and his stomach churn.

Austry was the only person he trusted to follow him down there and come back out in one piece, despite the current tension between them. Whatever Cyclonis had planned, he hoped it wouldn't shatter what little faith his friend may have had in him.

The halls were dark, and the air down here was stagnant. The metal walls were unnaturally clean despite so few people ever coming down here; not even housekeepers were allowed down here to keep things from getting dusty. Tension rose in his shoulders the further down they went, and he kept stealing glances at Austry for... what? Reassurance? Solidarity?

He saw Cyclonis standing outside one of the many rooms, and his expression hardened.

"What do you want?" he asked, not bothering with formalities. She didn't get any grace from him in private, not any more. Not since she'd ripped the Citadel out of its foundations, causing chaos for the masses of Cyclonia.

Crying could be heard in the other room, and it sent a chill through his blood.

What had she done?

He stayed quiet as the approached the Empress, his eyes fixated on the door and the sound of crying inside. His skin prickled with crystal energy. What ever had happened, he knew it wasnt good. He didn't want to deal with the witch or storm hawks mage turned pet. He wanted into that room, despite the dread eating at his insides.

"I told you. I need you to clean up." She said simply. Catching his tone and the way he was standing. She knew he could be touchy about certain things but she had assumed he wouldn't have an issue with this.

"You know how we created our Family pets and even the Nightcrawlers. I just made use of some annoying baggage." She explained. Proud of how it went, especially since she had convinced Piper to join in.

Still wanting her to join her. She would join her. Perhaps depending how much of a mind her surviving friend kept, perhaps she'd stay just to be his handler.

Dark Ace's voice shook the walls, and he had half a mind to march after the girls and force them to explain what had happened. But Cyclonis's words and the smell of blood stopped him from making a move for either of them.

The door was ajar, and the air was much too still.

"This isn't fucking over, Cyclonis!" he barked before shoving the door open to look inside.

What he saw was something he'd never wanted to see again. Bloodstained work surfaces, a limp body on an operating table. He could see the changes right away, and the surgical scars across the boy's body.

"Finn?" He spoke softly, gently wiping away blood and sweat from the boys face.

Of all the things Cyclonis could decide to get into, human experiments was one of the few he couldn't justify or make excuses for. Even too himself. He looked to the Dark Ace a moment, decisions already made. He wasn't going to stick around for more of this.

He gently moved the boy's limbs. Checking his wounds, making sure everything had been closed properly. He grabbed clean rags to clean and wrap things, moving mostly on auto pilot.

Thats all Finn could really focus on as he felt someone. Something nudging him. Force that made him tense and flinch. "No..." he whimpered. Forcing an eye open only to see Dark Ace standing there.

A pained yelp escaping him as his eyes squeezed shut. Shaking as he started to become more aware of things besides just the pain. He felt weird, different. Memories of before coming back as he forced himself to open his eyes once more.

This time recognizing the nice talon who would give him treats. "Is it over?" He asked. Hopeful when he saw him. Before whimpering when he saw Dark Ace again.

There was a storm brewing in his chest. He'd made a lot, a lot of allowances for Cyclonis's actions under the basis that she would see reason eventually and slow down her rampage across Atmos, but this was unforgivable. Despite his disagreements with the boy, he would never have wished this on him.

"We're not going to hurt you, Finn. I promise. Can you tell me what hurts the most?" He asks, hoping maybe Finn could tell hi. What was the worst, then he could figure out more. He wanted to relieve the boys pain but he needed more information and trust before he started using his needles.

He could feel the rage coming off his friend as they wrapped the boy in the sheet.

Good.

"Lungs." He said. "Feel like, like I'm choking." He admitted. Moving to shift his position. The gills on the side of his neck opening and closing at each movement.

It was at this moment that he got a good look at his claws.

Claws.

His hands webbed and elongated. Panic settling further in his chest as he let out a scared yelp. "What-" he said before coughing. A pained moan escaping him at the pain that it caused. His new tail swishing under the blanket as he panted.

Blood sliding down his body from the still open lacerations on his body. He fought through the pain though as he reached out. Touching each fin and scale against his body. Realizing what that foreign feeling was now that he could actually see them.

"Close your eyes and steady your breathing," he said. His voice was tight with anger and nausea. The shaking of his hands made his motions rougher than he intended. "We'll get you out of here as soon as we can."

"Let's get you stitched up and clean." He said softly, gently cleaning a wound. For the moment, he forced himself to ignore the tears. He needed to treat the wounds quickly. The sooner they were done the sooner he could leave with Finn. He hated what that would mean for his family, but this was a line he couldn't overlook.

He paused only briefly at Dark Ace's words, wondering if he meant out of Cyclonia.

"Think you can stand?" He asked once hed finished cleaning and dressing Finn's wounds. He stood in front of him, offering his hands for support.

He had gotten close.

But he tried not to think about him. Or them or even himself. Dissociating had been working wonders for him.

But now.

Body wrong. Pain unlike anything he had felt before. And the one helping him was the monster that forced him here. Finn not seeing much difference between Dark Ace and Cyclonis. Yet here he was trying to wipe the blood away. Applying water at the part of him that burned. The feeling soothing but only a small reprieve from everything else.

Then Dark Aces anger filled voice reached him. Causing him to flinch. The words not even registering to him as he just started crying harder. Unable to stop it at this point.

He barely noticed what Austry was doing. Until he caught sight of the needles. Tensing before he realized what he was doing. Reminding himself that this was the Pie Cyclonian. He had always been kind.

He managed at that point to first here Dark Ace promise to let him out of here. As well as Austry's question of if he could stand. Offering himself for support.

He didn't know if he could. But sniffling he knew he had to try. Shifting he pushed himself off of the operating table. Only slightly stumbling. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at himself now that he was standing.

Seeing the quick stitch Austry had given him. The new scales along his body. He was longer too. Not just cause of his 'tail' behind him. If he could even call it that. It had arms and he could move them, if a bit clumsy.

"She turned me into a monster." He realized. Instead of crying this time though he just started laughing. "Not the first time she did this to me either." He said. His laugh more shrill and panicked not amused but afraid.

He considered leading the way to his personal quarters, where Finn would be able to rest in an actual bed and perhaps take a shower while he and Austry talked about what to do next. But then he remembered how Cyclonis had been invading his private spaces more and more as of late. If she found out the newest subject of her curiosities was there, she could snatch him back whenever she felt like it.

"Do you still take supplies out to the Terra of Thorns?" he asked Austry. If the boy was fit to fly, then the unmapped Terra would be one of the safest places to take him.

The muffled sound of thunder made him look up, concerned. There hadn't been a storm in today's forecast so where had that come from? Hopefully it wouldn't stop them from flying.

"Come on, one step at a time."

He glanced at Dark Ace again wondering what his plan was exactly. They needed to leave the terra, not just this lab.

The question of the Terra of Thorns was a relief. It meant exactly what Austry had been hoping for. If Dark Ace left too over this... there was a good chance there would be consequences for the Empress she wouldn't be able to overlook.

"I do, yes." He nodded, "we could probably find a transport ship." The suggestion came out the same time as thunder rumbled outside. He wasn't exactly surprised to hear it considering Dark Ace's mood. The weather always weirdly seeming to coincide with the man's temper.

"It'll be better than trying to leave on skimmers, between his tail and the weather."

He didn't really find comfort in those words. But still tried. Looking away and instead keeping his eyes forward on the two in front of him.

Letting Austry guide him away from the bed. Feeling unsteady with the new weight and feel of his body.

His next words confused him even more. Somewhere else? "Wait-" he said softly barely audible as he tried to piece together what that meant.

The more they talked though he wondered. Were they... saving him? They weren't going to just throw him into a dungeon.

"Why are you? Are you helping me?" He asked unsure. Tail swishing behind him. Almost knocking him off of his feet as he messed up the movement of them.

"There's lines even I won't cross," he explained. "What Cyclonis has done to you is one of them."

Even though it didn't make the boy a monster, Cyclonis had committed an egregious violation that Dark Ace refused to stand by. If she could so easily do that to someone she saw as a trophy, who else was she willing to twist and break to fit her whims?

"There should be some transport ships in the southeast hangar," he said to Austry as they led Finn out of the lower levels. "I'm going to get Duchess from my quarters and I'll meet you there. Is there anything you want me to grab?"

He really wasn't sure when, or even if, he'd come back at this point and there were a few things he didn't want to leave behind. Some stubborn part of him was still reluctant to leave and abandon his duties, still sure that he could find a way to fix things from here, but one look at Finn was enough to shut those thoughts down.

"My mask... I keep it in my foot locker, under a false bottom." He didn't need anyone finding that. His friend could know the truth, he already knew he was an assassin for the Empress anyways.

He just nodded.

Growing quiet as he walked with them. Too tired and shocked to say much as they listed off what they might need. Still a bit uncertain what could happen. But despite his fears he found himself just numb. If they were actually just leading him out to kill him fine. At this point he didn't even care. He was tired and in pain and... missed Aerrow dearly.

Aerrow would have been stronger then him at this moment. He still couldn't believe Piper helped, why did she helped. This whole time... did she really hate him that much? Was that why they always sent him away or left him behind.

Did she... did they, not believe in him?

He almost felt like crying again as they arrived at the hanger. But held it together as Dark Ace ran off. Stepping into the ship that they were preparing. Before finding the closest soft thing to lay down on. His tail wrapping close against him. An instinctive thing that was already forming within him as it moved to cover his more sensitive and vulnerable spots.

He wanted to ask questions. Be brave. He wasn't though. He was tired. He was hurt. Walking here was already him going over his limit. So closing his eyes, he fell unconscious soon afterwards.

All in all, it didn't take long before he'd rejoined Austry and Finn at the transport ship. His eyes lingered on the boy's unconscious form for a moment before he went to help finish preparing for travel.

His heart was hammering in his chest as they took off, and he felt his hands shaking again. The anger and dread and that sick, haunted feeling he'd been trying to suppress this whole time was starting to catch up to him. It caught in his throat when he tried to say something to Austry, only coming out as a strangled croaking noise.

Fuck, not now… Fine, he wouldn't say anything. He'd just focus on the journey ahead. What would talking even do for him anyway?

Rain lashed against the ship's windows and thunder rumbled all around them, matching the tumultuous feelings rising up in his chest.

"I know your job is to look after Feathers, but i think he needs you too right now." He said softly, touching her head before looking at Finn, "Its not a very long flight, I promise." He assured him even as he quickly passed out. He'd definitely need antibiotics and painkillers once they arrived. Austry had stashed plenty over the years.

Joining Dark Ace at the controls he started the ships engines, sending them off into the storm. He heard the croak as Dark Ace tried to speak, knowing what was happening. He reached over and simply took his friends hand, he didn't need to speak for this.

Looking away as he slowly looked over himself again. Taking a shuddering breath as he took a quiet moment just to inspect himself. What he was now. He looked like some type of fish, he realized. Maybe thats why his lungs hurt so much?

Feeling his gills they felt dried and in pain. Foreign to his touch and sensitive. Pulling away he stared at the claws he had and the webbing on his hands.

Yeah definetly some type of fish. Moving to get up, it was as if everything hurt more now that he rested then it did before. A yelp escaping him as he moved in a way that jostled his stitches. Deciding to stay where he was instead. New leg on his 'tail' kicking as he pushed the new form of himself closer to him.

Taking the time to look over the colors of what he could only describe as a beastly form of himself. It was probably disingenuous to call it a tail. It wasn't. It was an extra piece of body. Uncertain of its place but still there.

Despite his hatred of what happened to himself. He had to admit his scales were beautiful. Almost iridescent in the light. His mind wrestled between the thoughts of this being him and completely denying it.

He made sure the ship stayed beneath the clouds as they flew to the Terra of Thorns, occasionally flying above them to check landmarks and make absolutely sure they were going in the right direction. The storm seemed to follow their little transport ship, conveniently obscuring them from any passing warships along the way.

Eventually, their destination came into view. A graveyard of abandoned ships overgrown with thorn bushes. It looked almost barren, but he and Austry knew that life hid just beneath the surface. He landed by the old husk of a decommissioned warship and cut the engines. But he didn't let himself feel relief just yet.

"The outside looks a lot worse than it actually is." He smiled awkwardly as he stepped back inside the transport ship, "Think you can walk again? The Captain's cabin has a bath you could probably fully submerge in." He offered his hands again, Duchess backing up a step but ready to press against the boys side the minute she could.

He didn't react much as the others walked away. Flinching at the sound of thunder. But staying where he was. As Austry returned he was instantly locked back into him.

At the question of walking again, he looked down at himself. At the mention of a bath though. His eyes just widened in concern again. "Is that- that will help?" He asked. Voice small, so unlike how he normally sounded.

He knew it probably would. He wasn't blind. But the idea of it. Was so terrifying. He didn't end up answering any of his questions. As he just curled up where he was.

He was already thinking over what to make. Something simple and easy to keep down for certain. Hopefully Finn's internal biology hadn't changed too much that he couldn't eat normal food.

He walked them deeper into the ship until the arrived at the captains quarters. The room divided into a sitting room and a bedroom. A side door leading off to a private bath.

Austry had at some point replaced the ratty rotting mattress for something more comfortable with clean sheets. He set Finn there before heading to the bathroom.

"Ill get the water going. What sounds better, hot or cool?" He asked, giving him the option.

Sitting on the bed, he watched as Austry went to the bath. Before asking him what temperature. He wasn't sure honestly, "Not... not too hot but not cold?" He said. His voice sounded stranger, the sharper teeth and different tongue felt weird. Part of why he also wasn't talking.

He got up instead of sitting, as he approached Austry. Stepping into the bathroom as he looked around. "My eyes are different." He said. Bringing a hand up as he forced himself to stare at himself again.

Slowly, he sank down onto his knees as the past few weeks finally caught up to him. The last few hours were the final straw. Duchess was immediately pressing up against him but he barely registered her attempts to ground him.

Two years.

The last two years had been a complete waste. Killing Anarchis had lead to Cyclonis turning out to be just as bad as her despite his efforts to steer her away from repeating her grandmother's mistakes. Sparing Aerrow had just ended in him killing the boy anyway and one of his teammates being subject to something he'd sworn to never let happen again. The Empire was at risk of cannibalising itself in Cyclonis's endless desire for conquest, stretching resources and military forces too thin and breeding nothing but avarice on all sides. His best friend could hardly look at him. The regret and disgust he'd been trying to shove down was finally rearing its ugly head.

Numb fingers tangled in Duchess's fur. Calm. He needed to calm down in case Austry came in. Why couldn't he just calm down? He wasn't even the one who'd been torn apart this time.

"To be honest... I don't know. Fused you with some sort of far side crystal." He stood, pulling Finn away from the mirror, "I know you want to focus on the what and the why but we should get you stable first. I know this is scary, trust me, I know what you're going through, so does Feathers. We're going to get you through this, I promise."

He kept Finn turned towards him, guiding him to the water as the storm picked up outside.

"Im... ill be right back, okay? Im going to see how food is coming along."

He kept his pace calm as he left the bathroom, only to break into a sprint once he was back in the hall. He didn't stop until he was in the kitchen, finding Duchess pressed against Dark Ace kneeling on the floor.

" I was afraid of that." He sighed, stepping closer, "Feathers, come back to me. Please?"

Closed RP- Continuation of Scenario 1

TW: Human Experimentation

[Cyclonis POV]

A sense of satisfaction was heavy as the machines around her started to power down. Smiling at Piper who she had forced to help her with this. She needed someone to stabalize her project and she knew her affection for the boy would have her give it her all to keep him alive. And as long as he made it through the night, it seemed to be a success. Despite how shallow his breathing was.

Dark secrets that made his blood boil and his stomach churn.

Austry was the only person he trusted to follow him down there and come back out in one piece, despite the current tension between them. Whatever Cyclonis had planned, he hoped it wouldn't shatter what little faith his friend may have had in him.

The halls were dark, and the air down here was stagnant. The metal walls were unnaturally clean despite so few people ever coming down here; not even housekeepers were allowed down here to keep things from getting dusty. Tension rose in his shoulders the further down they went, and he kept stealing glances at Austry for... what? Reassurance? Solidarity?

He saw Cyclonis standing outside one of the many rooms, and his expression hardened.

"What do you want?" he asked, not bothering with formalities. She didn't get any grace from him in private, not any more. Not since she'd ripped the Citadel out of its foundations, causing chaos for the masses of Cyclonia.

Crying could be heard in the other room, and it sent a chill through his blood.

What had she done?

He stayed quiet as the approached the Empress, his eyes fixated on the door and the sound of crying inside. His skin prickled with crystal energy. What ever had happened, he knew it wasnt good. He didn't want to deal with the witch or storm hawks mage turned pet. He wanted into that room, despite the dread eating at his insides.

"I told you. I need you to clean up." She said simply. Catching his tone and the way he was standing. She knew he could be touchy about certain things but she had assumed he wouldn't have an issue with this.

"You know how we created our Family pets and even the Nightcrawlers. I just made use of some annoying baggage." She explained. Proud of how it went, especially since she had convinced Piper to join in.

Still wanting her to join her. She would join her. Perhaps depending how much of a mind her surviving friend kept, perhaps she'd stay just to be his handler.

Dark Ace's voice shook the walls, and he had half a mind to march after the girls and force them to explain what had happened. But Cyclonis's words and the smell of blood stopped him from making a move for either of them.

The door was ajar, and the air was much too still.

"This isn't fucking over, Cyclonis!" he barked before shoving the door open to look inside.

What he saw was something he'd never wanted to see again. Bloodstained work surfaces, a limp body on an operating table. He could see the changes right away, and the surgical scars across the boy's body.

"Finn?" He spoke softly, gently wiping away blood and sweat from the boys face.

Of all the things Cyclonis could decide to get into, human experiments was one of the few he couldn't justify or make excuses for. Even too himself. He looked to the Dark Ace a moment, decisions already made. He wasn't going to stick around for more of this.

He gently moved the boy's limbs. Checking his wounds, making sure everything had been closed properly. He grabbed clean rags to clean and wrap things, moving mostly on auto pilot.

Thats all Finn could really focus on as he felt someone. Something nudging him. Force that made him tense and flinch. "No..." he whimpered. Forcing an eye open only to see Dark Ace standing there.

A pained yelp escaping him as his eyes squeezed shut. Shaking as he started to become more aware of things besides just the pain. He felt weird, different. Memories of before coming back as he forced himself to open his eyes once more.

This time recognizing the nice talon who would give him treats. "Is it over?" He asked. Hopeful when he saw him. Before whimpering when he saw Dark Ace again.

There was a storm brewing in his chest. He'd made a lot, a lot of allowances for Cyclonis's actions under the basis that she would see reason eventually and slow down her rampage across Atmos, but this was unforgivable. Despite his disagreements with the boy, he would never have wished this on him.

"We're not going to hurt you, Finn. I promise. Can you tell me what hurts the most?" He asks, hoping maybe Finn could tell hi. What was the worst, then he could figure out more. He wanted to relieve the boys pain but he needed more information and trust before he started using his needles.

He could feel the rage coming off his friend as they wrapped the boy in the sheet.

Good.

"Lungs." He said. "Feel like, like I'm choking." He admitted. Moving to shift his position. The gills on the side of his neck opening and closing at each movement.

It was at this moment that he got a good look at his claws.

Claws.

His hands webbed and elongated. Panic settling further in his chest as he let out a scared yelp. "What-" he said before coughing. A pained moan escaping him at the pain that it caused. His new tail swishing under the blanket as he panted.

Blood sliding down his body from the still open lacerations on his body. He fought through the pain though as he reached out. Touching each fin and scale against his body. Realizing what that foreign feeling was now that he could actually see them.

"Close your eyes and steady your breathing," he said. His voice was tight with anger and nausea. The shaking of his hands made his motions rougher than he intended. "We'll get you out of here as soon as we can."

"Let's get you stitched up and clean." He said softly, gently cleaning a wound. For the moment, he forced himself to ignore the tears. He needed to treat the wounds quickly. The sooner they were done the sooner he could leave with Finn. He hated what that would mean for his family, but this was a line he couldn't overlook.

He paused only briefly at Dark Ace's words, wondering if he meant out of Cyclonia.

"Think you can stand?" He asked once hed finished cleaning and dressing Finn's wounds. He stood in front of him, offering his hands for support.

He had gotten close.

But he tried not to think about him. Or them or even himself. Dissociating had been working wonders for him.

But now.

Body wrong. Pain unlike anything he had felt before. And the one helping him was the monster that forced him here. Finn not seeing much difference between Dark Ace and Cyclonis. Yet here he was trying to wipe the blood away. Applying water at the part of him that burned. The feeling soothing but only a small reprieve from everything else.

Then Dark Aces anger filled voice reached him. Causing him to flinch. The words not even registering to him as he just started crying harder. Unable to stop it at this point.

He barely noticed what Austry was doing. Until he caught sight of the needles. Tensing before he realized what he was doing. Reminding himself that this was the Pie Cyclonian. He had always been kind.

He managed at that point to first here Dark Ace promise to let him out of here. As well as Austry's question of if he could stand. Offering himself for support.

He didn't know if he could. But sniffling he knew he had to try. Shifting he pushed himself off of the operating table. Only slightly stumbling. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at himself now that he was standing.

Seeing the quick stitch Austry had given him. The new scales along his body. He was longer too. Not just cause of his 'tail' behind him. If he could even call it that. It had arms and he could move them, if a bit clumsy.

"She turned me into a monster." He realized. Instead of crying this time though he just started laughing. "Not the first time she did this to me either." He said. His laugh more shrill and panicked not amused but afraid.

He considered leading the way to his personal quarters, where Finn would be able to rest in an actual bed and perhaps take a shower while he and Austry talked about what to do next. But then he remembered how Cyclonis had been invading his private spaces more and more as of late. If she found out the newest subject of her curiosities was there, she could snatch him back whenever she felt like it.

"Do you still take supplies out to the Terra of Thorns?" he asked Austry. If the boy was fit to fly, then the unmapped Terra would be one of the safest places to take him.

The muffled sound of thunder made him look up, concerned. There hadn't been a storm in today's forecast so where had that come from? Hopefully it wouldn't stop them from flying.

"Come on, one step at a time."

He glanced at Dark Ace again wondering what his plan was exactly. They needed to leave the terra, not just this lab.

The question of the Terra of Thorns was a relief. It meant exactly what Austry had been hoping for. If Dark Ace left too over this... there was a good chance there would be consequences for the Empress she wouldn't be able to overlook.

"I do, yes." He nodded, "we could probably find a transport ship." The suggestion came out the same time as thunder rumbled outside. He wasn't exactly surprised to hear it considering Dark Ace's mood. The weather always weirdly seeming to coincide with the man's temper.

"It'll be better than trying to leave on skimmers, between his tail and the weather."

He didn't really find comfort in those words. But still tried. Looking away and instead keeping his eyes forward on the two in front of him.

Letting Austry guide him away from the bed. Feeling unsteady with the new weight and feel of his body.

His next words confused him even more. Somewhere else? "Wait-" he said softly barely audible as he tried to piece together what that meant.

The more they talked though he wondered. Were they... saving him? They weren't going to just throw him into a dungeon.

"Why are you? Are you helping me?" He asked unsure. Tail swishing behind him. Almost knocking him off of his feet as he messed up the movement of them.

"There's lines even I won't cross," he explained. "What Cyclonis has done to you is one of them."

Even though it didn't make the boy a monster, Cyclonis had committed an egregious violation that Dark Ace refused to stand by. If she could so easily do that to someone she saw as a trophy, who else was she willing to twist and break to fit her whims?

"There should be some transport ships in the southeast hangar," he said to Austry as they led Finn out of the lower levels. "I'm going to get Duchess from my quarters and I'll meet you there. Is there anything you want me to grab?"

He really wasn't sure when, or even if, he'd come back at this point and there were a few things he didn't want to leave behind. Some stubborn part of him was still reluctant to leave and abandon his duties, still sure that he could find a way to fix things from here, but one look at Finn was enough to shut those thoughts down.

"My mask... I keep it in my foot locker, under a false bottom." He didn't need anyone finding that. His friend could know the truth, he already knew he was an assassin for the Empress anyways.

He just nodded.

Growing quiet as he walked with them. Too tired and shocked to say much as they listed off what they might need. Still a bit uncertain what could happen. But despite his fears he found himself just numb. If they were actually just leading him out to kill him fine. At this point he didn't even care. He was tired and in pain and... missed Aerrow dearly.

Aerrow would have been stronger then him at this moment. He still couldn't believe Piper helped, why did she helped. This whole time... did she really hate him that much? Was that why they always sent him away or left him behind.

Did she... did they, not believe in him?

He almost felt like crying again as they arrived at the hanger. But held it together as Dark Ace ran off. Stepping into the ship that they were preparing. Before finding the closest soft thing to lay down on. His tail wrapping close against him. An instinctive thing that was already forming within him as it moved to cover his more sensitive and vulnerable spots.

He wanted to ask questions. Be brave. He wasn't though. He was tired. He was hurt. Walking here was already him going over his limit. So closing his eyes, he fell unconscious soon afterwards.

All in all, it didn't take long before he'd rejoined Austry and Finn at the transport ship. His eyes lingered on the boy's unconscious form for a moment before he went to help finish preparing for travel.

His heart was hammering in his chest as they took off, and he felt his hands shaking again. The anger and dread and that sick, haunted feeling he'd been trying to suppress this whole time was starting to catch up to him. It caught in his throat when he tried to say something to Austry, only coming out as a strangled croaking noise.

Fuck, not now… Fine, he wouldn't say anything. He'd just focus on the journey ahead. What would talking even do for him anyway?

Rain lashed against the ship's windows and thunder rumbled all around them, matching the tumultuous feelings rising up in his chest.

"I know your job is to look after Feathers, but i think he needs you too right now." He said softly, touching her head before looking at Finn, "Its not a very long flight, I promise." He assured him even as he quickly passed out. He'd definitely need antibiotics and painkillers once they arrived. Austry had stashed plenty over the years.

Joining Dark Ace at the controls he started the ships engines, sending them off into the storm. He heard the croak as Dark Ace tried to speak, knowing what was happening. He reached over and simply took his friends hand, he didn't need to speak for this.

Looking away as he slowly looked over himself again. Taking a shuddering breath as he took a quiet moment just to inspect himself. What he was now. He looked like some type of fish, he realized. Maybe thats why his lungs hurt so much?

Feeling his gills they felt dried and in pain. Foreign to his touch and sensitive. Pulling away he stared at the claws he had and the webbing on his hands.

Yeah definetly some type of fish. Moving to get up, it was as if everything hurt more now that he rested then it did before. A yelp escaping him as he moved in a way that jostled his stitches. Deciding to stay where he was instead. New leg on his 'tail' kicking as he pushed the new form of himself closer to him.

Taking the time to look over the colors of what he could only describe as a beastly form of himself. It was probably disingenuous to call it a tail. It wasn't. It was an extra piece of body. Uncertain of its place but still there.

Despite his hatred of what happened to himself. He had to admit his scales were beautiful. Almost iridescent in the light. His mind wrestled between the thoughts of this being him and completely denying it.

He made sure the ship stayed beneath the clouds as they flew to the Terra of Thorns, occasionally flying above them to check landmarks and make absolutely sure they were going in the right direction. The storm seemed to follow their little transport ship, conveniently obscuring them from any passing warships along the way.

Eventually, their destination came into view. A graveyard of abandoned ships overgrown with thorn bushes. It looked almost barren, but he and Austry knew that life hid just beneath the surface. He landed by the old husk of a decommissioned warship and cut the engines. But he didn't let himself feel relief just yet.

"The outside looks a lot worse than it actually is." He smiled awkwardly as he stepped back inside the transport ship, "Think you can walk again? The Captain's cabin has a bath you could probably fully submerge in." He offered his hands again, Duchess backing up a step but ready to press against the boys side the minute she could.

He didn't react much as the others walked away. Flinching at the sound of thunder. But staying where he was. As Austry returned he was instantly locked back into him.

At the question of walking again, he looked down at himself. At the mention of a bath though. His eyes just widened in concern again. "Is that- that will help?" He asked. Voice small, so unlike how he normally sounded.

He knew it probably would. He wasn't blind. But the idea of it. Was so terrifying. He didn't end up answering any of his questions. As he just curled up where he was.

He was already thinking over what to make. Something simple and easy to keep down for certain. Hopefully Finn's internal biology hadn't changed too much that he couldn't eat normal food.

He walked them deeper into the ship until the arrived at the captains quarters. The room divided into a sitting room and a bedroom. A side door leading off to a private bath.

Austry had at some point replaced the ratty rotting mattress for something more comfortable with clean sheets. He set Finn there before heading to the bathroom.

"Ill get the water going. What sounds better, hot or cool?" He asked, giving him the option.

TW: Character Death

Dark Ace did it. When the Storm Hawks and the rest of Atmos attacked. They managed to push them back and defeat them. And when the dreaded Storm Hawks attacked. He finally managed to do a one up over Aerrow finally.

Piper being too weak to sustain him, and Cyclonis's power giving him the edge he needed to finally deal a killing boy to the annoying teen.

But now its over. The others had been captured and Cyclonia is now considered the rulers of the whole Atmos.

Dark Ace won. So how does he feel now?

🎭Open RP Starter - Anyone is welcome to respond! Are you a trapped Sky Knight? Rebelling against the emboldened Cyclonian Empire? A fellow Talon uncertain of what this victory means for your future? One of the remaining Storm Hawks? Reblog with a reply! 🎭

After the initial burst of satisfaction, and the last dregs of adrenaline that every battle gave him had faded out, Dark Ace felt relief for the briefest of moments. For a moment, he let himself think that the war was won, that it was all over, and he could finally rest.

As he watched the screaming, crying young mage be dragged away from Aerrow's body, and her friends hauled off in chains though, all he had to do was look at Cyclonis's face to know that the fighting was far from over. There would always be new horizons to conquer, rebellions to put down, and orders to carry out. It was his duty as Champion, and he was bound by whatever honour he had left to fulfil it.

He couldn't look at his friend the same, after. Actively avoiding him as much as possible, when before he'd spent as much free time with the Dark Ace as either of them could spare.

Now he just felt sick and needed time to get through it, throwing himself at his work. Which was hard since his diplomatic duties had become few and far between as Cyclonis chose a more direct and violent approach to conquering the whole of Atmos.

And he knew exactly why. He couldn't blame Austry in the slightest. But it still tugged at his chest and made his wrist sting, like the bracelet wrapped around it had become hot enough to burn.

He'd tried carrying his stiletto blades today but had to remove them, pushing them just out of reach with his foot. They burned worse than the scars did.

His uncle kept saying he should talk to someone. If not Dark Ace then a mutual friend. He couldnt see burdening anyone else with this though. It was his problem after all, not theirs.

"I'm not leaving until either you say something, or you paralyse me so I can't keep following you," he said, "Your choice."

"Something." He muttered, also knowing that wouldn't be enough to actually get the man to walk away. They needed to talk and they both knew it.

When Austry shifted, Dark Ace sat down next to him and sighed.

"I don't know." He admitted, still not looking at his friend, "how could you possibly know whether you could or couldn't let him live?" How could he be certain that killing Aerrow was the only way? That wasnt even the worst part really.

A breath shuddered out of him as the real reason he was upset surfaced. Panic rising as he tried not to see his little brother in place of the young skyknight. The two could have been twins despite not being related.

He'd checked.

Repeatedly.

Obsessively.

He'd gone home to his family after the battle, just to make sure. His brother was fine.

His jaw clenched, he hated the fact that he was justifying this. He knew why Austry was so upset over this.

He'd carried Austry's brother's body home once already, mistaking him for dead and forcing himself to make peace with it. Maybe that was why he'd been numb to the possibility of killing Aerrow for months before he'd gone and followed through on it. Why he'd meant it when he'd told the boy that he would kill him one day, the day he'd met him at his old team's memorial on Terra Munin mere weeks before the final battle of the Storm Hawks.

Why he didn't see Ryder at the end of his blade, but someone else. A face he used to see in the mirror every day.

"I believe you." He said softly, "I just... have to figure out how to forgive you."

He did ask himself if what he'd done had truly been necessary. Not even hindsight was giving him any answers though. There was just numbness where he would've usually felt victorious.

Maybe he'd have felt it worse, because he wouldn't have had another face to look at. Another person he cared about to focus on.

He tailed off mid protest as Austry's words sank in deeper. That wasn't what he'd been trying to do. Was it? He shifted uncomfortably, the idea made his skin crawl and he couldn't explain why.

He ran his hands along his wrists, trying to get rid of the phantom aches and buzzing that had been plaguing him on and off since that last great battle.

"Do you think it would've been better if we hadn't won?" he asked quietly. "Or just lost?"

If Cyclonia had lost, he wouldn't have a child's death on his conscience. If they hadn't won, maybe he wouldn't be dealing with an Empire that was growing more unsustainable with every conquered Terra and an Empress who only cared about her own interests.

He felt awful saying it, turning away again.