AN: Now it's time for a walk in Sky's shoes. Thanks to Vampuric Spider, Psycho Tangerine, anonimo, Ghostwriter, GemmaUzumaki for reviewing.

Schuyler stood in the command center. He could feel his lip bleeding and a growing bruise growing on his ribs, but he didn't show it. Next to him, stood another cadet, he couldn't remember the name of. The other cadet was much worse for wear. He had two black eyes and his nose had just finished bleeding.

Cruger paced in front of them grimly. Schuyler knew this technique well. The commander tried to make you admit that you were guilty by making you nervous; it was an old trick, but useful.

Cruger turned to them speaking in a grave tone, "Are either of you going to tell me why Cadet Carson is in the sick bay unconscious, with a broken nose and sprained wrist?"

Schuyler waited for the other to speak, but there was just silence. Cruger examined them and begun again, "Who threw the first punch?"

The other cadet spoke up before Schuyler even registered the question. "It wasn't me sir. Cadet Tate came out of nowhere and attacked me"

Cruger turned to the accused, "Is what Cadet Cooper said true?"

Schuyler took a deep breath and took a step forward to explain, "Yes. In the fight between the two of us, I threw the first punch. If I'm allowed to explain myself, I hit him, because he was bullying Bridge and I was trying to protect my teammate. I did lose my temper and I'm willing to accept the consequences for that"

Cruger turned to Cooper, "Is that true? You know the consequences for bullying"

Cooper looked panicked, but pulled himself together, "I am not the one with a history of violence and rebellion. He was hitting Bridge and I tried to stop him, but he hit me too"

Schuyler felt his jaw drop, "What?… That's not true. I didn't… I wouldn't. Think about it, why would I hit my own team member in front of a classroom full of students?"

Cruger shook his head, "Look, I don't have any sure way of telling who started it. You're both on suspension until further notice. Be warned, the smallest infraction could get you suspended or expelled. Dismissed"

Schuyler saluted and followed Cooper out the door. As the doors to the command shut, Dr. Manx walked away from her computer station nervously, "You could have passed judgment on them. Why didn't you?"

Cruger turned, "I want them to learn their lesson. I believe in second chances and this is a chance for both of them to change"

In the hallway, neither of the cadets were thinking about change. Schuyler stopped Cooper, "What was that? Are you trying to get me expelled?"

Cooper snorted, "Yes that was the point. You better stay out of my way from now on, or you will get expelled. That's a promise"

Schuyler's expression didn't break, "Well, I promise that if you ever try to hurt my team again, I will personally kick you out of the academy"

"You'd be too scared to defy your regulation. If you really want to impress me, fight me off campus. Fist fight one on one with no teachers to save your pretty face"

"I'd be glad to, but I feel like giving you a fighting chance. Survive a month of training and it might be almost be a fair fight"

Cooper shoved Schuyler lightly and walked away smirking. Schuyler took a deep breath and started toward the sick bay. He had to worry about Bridge first.

Bridge was in the sick bay having a chat with the nurse. When she saw Schuyler walked in, she excused herself quickly and ran out of the room. Schuyler couldn't help but smirk, "I see you made an impression on the staff already"

Bridge smiled wryly, "I always make a habit to get to know the medical staff. I'll be seeing a lot of them"

Schuyler dropped the happy expression, "It doesn't have to be that way. Go to Cruger and tell him what happened"

Bridge sat up wincing. He looked terrible; his face was swollen and his arm was in a cast. "You have no idea what it's like being the official unofficial punching bag of the school. Not to be rude, but you're a spoiled army brat. Everyone's too afraid of your status, if not afraid of you. Don't talk to me about how it should be"

He pulled himself out of the bed cringing. He limped slowly toward the door, but a nurse tried to stop him gently. "Please, sit back down. You need to stay here for at least another twelve hours."

Bridge smiled sweetly, "Oh, don't worry about me. I'm tougher than I look, which is good because I look like a total wimp."

He tried to leave gain, but the nurse still tried to push him back, "I know that you're really trying to do your job. I'll be back soon trust me"

The nurse let him go doubtfully. Bridge limped down the hallway holding back weak winces. Schuyler caught up with him easily, "You can't just leave. You're hurt"

Bridge ignored him pulling out his headphones. Schuyler stopped walking unsure of what to do. He didn't like poking his nose in other people's business, but he couldn't just watch Bridge get beaten like this.

He turned to walk in the opposite direction and ran into someone. He apologized until he recognized the guy. "Dru, I thought you weren't coming here"

They banged bracelets like it was old time and Dru explained, "I wasn't, but after all that you said, I couldn't let you down like that. How's the academy? I know this is your dream"

"Not so good", Schuyler looked down the ground, "So far, I've been stuck with the biggest group of misfits possible. My roommate got beat up, and I'm on probation"

His friend winced, "That's terrible. What did golden boy do to deserve probation?"

"I stood up for my roommate and punched a bully. Then he said that I was the one bullying Bridge"

Dru patted his back reassuringly, "Well, now that you're the newest bad boy, why don't you come to the party on Friday?"

Schuyler moved back, "I'm already on probation. I can't risk it"

Dru shook his head jokingly, "You're always work and no fun. I've been sneaking out for parties for years and they've never caught me. They don't check up on a spotless record like me."

He walked away with the usual swagger in his step. Schuyler slumped against the wall thinking. It couldn't hurt too much to go to one little party.