Chapter 6: Dance in Shadow

"Is everyone ready?" Jackal asked

"Ready here." Leeanne said clinging to Sal

"I'm doom proof!" Jen said from beside Jeff

"So we're waiting on Starling." Jackal said "Hey violet! Hurry it up!"

"Sorry! Just putting the finishing touches on." She said entering the room.

Whatever comment Jackal had planned was thrown out the window when he saw Starling. She was wearing a low cut violet dress with silver earrings. She had a white flower in her hair.

"Wow, you look...wow." Jackal said

"I take it you approve?" she asked with a smirk "Ready to go?"

"Yeah." He said breaking out of his trance.

They exited the ship and walked to the front door of the dance hall. There they were met by a short man in a tuxedo.

"Welcome! It's always good to see squadrons!" The man said

"Who're you?" Jackal asked

"I'm Bob the greeter." he said

"Greeter? How's that working for you?" Jackal asked

"I hate my job." He said hanging his head "It's so lonely."

"Good luck." Jackal said patting the guy on the back as they walked inside

They entered a large elegant ballroom. There was a massive crystal chandlier hovering over a sizable circular dance floor. On all sides of the floor were tables each with a sign designating the squadron sitting there. They all gathered around the Interceptors table.

"You depressed the greeter." Leeanne said

"Ah, he'll be fine." Jackal said shrugging

"Let's just have a good time." Jeff said taking two steps and tripping over his own feet


"Aren't you glad I told you to wear those knee pads?" Jen asked helping him up

"Yeah, now lets dance." Jeff said leading the merb over to the floor.

"Sal let's go too." Leeanne said leading him away as well

"There they go." Jackal said smiling "I'm heading to the buffet table."

Starling sighed as he walked away. She wanted to dance, but that was Jackal for you. She sighed and sat down at the table.

"Hey, wanna dance?" Starling turned to see a smirking Jackal "You really think I would ditch my escourt like that?"

She just smiled and stood up. He led her to the dance floor. The waltz started playing. Jackal smiled and took her hand. They glided around the floor in a perfect waltz.

"I didn't know you could waltz." Starling commented

"It's the only dance I can do. Anything else I look like a raptor doing ballet." He said sadly

"Thanks for that imagery." She said cringing "I just noticed that you brought your katana. Expecting a fight over pigs in a blanket?"

"I like to keep my katana on me at all times." he said

"All times?" She thingyed her eyebrow

"Well, it's never out of my reach." He said "Even when I sleep, it's just on my nightstand. I just can't be too careful."

"Well, I don't pose any danger to you." She assured playfully

"That sounds like something an assassain would say!" He said with mock suspicion

She giggled at his joke as the dance finished. They both decided to rest at thetable for a bit.

"That was lovely." Starling said

"It was cool. Now I'm really heading to the buffet table. I'll bring you back food." He said winking as he walked away

"Such a gentleman." She rolled her eyes

"Starling is that you eh?" Starling looked up to see Suzy Lu and Bill Rex standing there.


"Hello Suzy, Billy. How're you enjoying the party?" She asked politely

"Not bad eh, but the music leaves a lot to be desired." Billy said

"Amen to that!" Jackal said as he came back carrying two plates. "Starling I got you a little of everything since I don't know what you like."

"Thanks you." She smiled " Jackal, this is Billy Rex and Suzy Lu of the Absolute Zeroes."

"Oh yeah. I've heard about you guys!" Jackal said excitedly "Especially Billy Rex's crazy stunts. You are totally crazy!"

"Well, thank you there. You should come to Terra Nord and jam with us some time." Billy Rex said

"Definitely." Jackal noticed Sal and Leeanne approaching "Hey Jazz Man! Can we do something about this music! I like classical, but enough is enough!"

"Sure thing." The musican said as he arrived at the table

"Are you going to embarass us?" Leeanne asked

"Absolutely." Jackal said as he and Sal approached the paiono player.

Starling and Leeanne went to the dance floor to find out what they were up too.

"Hey, piano man, take a break." Sal said "Me and my buddy are going to spice up this music."

"Finally!" The paino man said "Go on ahead. AnythingI can do to help."

Jazz Man just whispered to him.

"Jackal time to sing one of our songs." Jazz Man said

"No fancy crap!" Jackal said

Jazz Man lifted his guitar and began to play along with the piano

/watch?v7oVvkNp4GdA

The enite room bursted into applause. Jackal was glad Sal had chosen a song to fit his less than perfect voice.

"For once it's good you suck a singing!" Leeanne yelled


"One more! This is the one where you just have to yell angrily." Jazz Man said

"Oh, I like that one." Jackal said as Jazz Man started up another one.

/watch?vvSY89pY0Ogw

The other Sky Knights were shocked at that display.

"Guess they aren't used to metal." Jackal said walking toward Starling

"That was interesting." Starling said

"That rocked!" They turned to see a bue eyed red head smiling.

"Hi, and you are?" Starling asked

"Oh, I'm Claire." She said looking right at Jackal "Would you like to dance?"

"Yeah sure." Jackal said causing Starling's eyes to flare

Starling was upset when the girl led Jackal to the dance floor. Then she remembered that they only went together as friends. That's right they were just friends. That was how it had to stay, after all, they were teamates. Starling nodded happy with her lame rationale.

"Aren't you upset." Leeanne asked

"Why, he's just my friend" Starling said calmly

"Whatever, Sal let's dance some more." She said dragging the musican off

Starling sat down and looked around the room. She saw Jen and Jeff dancing in the corner very carefully to avoid injury. She spotted Leeanne and Sal locke din a slow dance. Then she saw Jackal and that...thing dancing. Wait, why did she think that.

"So, you like metal?" Jackal asked the girl

"Very much so." She said "I've heard about your exploits Interceptor. You infiltrated those Talons and beat them good."

"I had help from the Storm Hawks. Yeah we beat those dumb Cyclonians good." He said not notcing her smirk for just a second

"I doubt the Cyclonians are dumb." She said "They did beat the original Storm Hawks and conquored half the Atmos."



"What're you a fan of theirs?" Jackal raised an eyebrowteasingly

"No, I'm just saying people should be wary. You never know where you enemy can be. They could even be here." She said

"That's why I never let my katana out of my sight." He said patting the blade at his side.

"You know, there is a beautiful view of the moonlight outside on the balcony. Would you like to see it?" She asked innocently

"Yeah sure." He said walking toward the balcony with her

Starling saw this and decided to follow at a safe distance. After all, this girl could be trouble. At least, that's what Starling told herself. She followed the two and stopped right at the door. She poked her head outside to see what was going on.

"I noticed you keep your weapon on you too." Jackal commented

"Oh yeah, it's a double sided energy staff." She said brandishing her weapon

"Double sided? Impressive, what squadron are you from?" He questioned

She was caught completely off gaurd by that question. She couldn't believe that her, the Master Cyclonis, had forgotten that detail. One stupid mistake and her cover was about to be blown. No matter, it was time to eliminate this pest anyway.

"No squadron. You were spot on before when you asked if i was a fan of Cyclonia." She smirked "Except I'm the leader of Cyclonia."

She deactivated her Chroma Crystal revealing her true self.

"Master Cyclonis, to what do i owe this honor?" He asked

"You infiltated my kingdom. I don't appreciate that." She frowned "You must be punished."

Both of them turned when the doors to the Balcony were thrown open. They saw saw Starling standing there with a dangerous scowl.

"I knew you were no good." Starling muttered "Get away from him."

"Aw, I made you jealous." Cyclonis sneered

"Starling, get some people out here. We'll need people to cart her off to jail." Jackal said drawing his katana.

"We have a security breached!" Starling yelled running into the ball room "Master Cyclonis 

herself is here on the balcony."

Everyone in the room came running to the balcony door. They were amazed by the sight of Jackal and Cyclonis fighting. The queen of Cyclonia herself invaded their party. They all readied their weapons.

"Stay back! This is one on one!" Jackal said smirking "I can take her."

The two traded more blow until cyclonis jumped back.

"This is tiresome! I'll just send you straight to oblivion." She said raising a black crystal she had around her neck "Goodbye"

She fired a bolt of dark energy striking the sky knight with a direct hit. Everyone gasped as the smoke cleared and Jackal was standing there unharmed. He swung his katana releasing a burst of energy hitting Cyclonis.

"What the hell?" Cyclonis exclaimed cluthching her arm "Who are you?"

"Jackal Sun of the Interceptors." He said

"No, I mean who are you? Only two types of people can survive an Oblivion Crystal. Friends of the user or family of the user won't be affected." She explained "I've never met you before, so that makes you a blood relative of mine."

"No way!" He chuckled "I knew I had 100Cyclonian blood in my veins, but to be related to Master Cyclonis herself, that suck for you because your crystal didn't work."

"We'll settle this later...fellow Cyclonian." She smriked as she used her telpotation crystal.

"That's so cheap! Disappearing a puff of black smoke." Jackal exclaimed turning toward the others "Isn't it guys?"

Jackal saw the other Sky Knights looking at him curiously; a few of them were even glaring.

"What?" he asked shrugging