My brother turned up with his friends and girlfriend. All of them had POS' for bikes and I was constantly fixing them. I hated most of them, one of them did thank me when I fixed his bike and brought crystals when I did. But Ray was the only one, the rest were just like my brother.

"We'll be back in two hours to pick up my bike and it better be ready," my brother was saying as I dropped a long skateboard on the ground next to his bike. It was already jacked up, Sky did it for me; he was a sweet guy.

"Whatever, it will be done when it's done and you know it." I looked at him. He was sporting a bruise and a cut on his face. "What happened to you?"

He gritted his teeth, "None of your business! Just fix my damn bike."

I shrugged and he climbed on his girlfriend's bike, her arms wrapping around his waist her hands sliding down his thighs. I looked away disgusted. The bikes started up and everyone but Sky took off.

Ray looked at me, with concern. "He got those from Snipe. After you left the Dark Ace had Snipe and a squad went after your brother… I strongly suggest that the sooner you get that done and find a safe place to hide till his face heals the better."

"I agree," I sighed and looked around, "good thing I know the canyons better than he does."

Ray grinned, "I think you know this place better than anyone on this Terra."

"Maybe," I smiled at him. "You might want to get going before they start wondering where you are."

His smiled flickered, "yeah, you're probably right. See you later."

"See you in a week, unless you manage to find my hiding place in the canyon."

He smiled, "I'll definitely look for it." he revved his engine, looked at me one more time and took off.

"Well," I said, "it's just you and me now." I looked at the bike. Damn this is a little depressing. I laid back on the board and started working. An hour and a half later the oil was changed and the bike would start again. I had just finished tightening the final bolt when I heard engines come up. Damn! "I still have a half hour," I shouted, tossing the wrench into my bag. Someone was walking towards me. Oh no, no! Ray, please grab him!

I was pulled out from under the bike and was looking up at, not my brother but, the Dark Ace. "Hello, Skylar," he said pleasantly. "Master Cyclonis would like to meet you."

For a moment I didn't move, my hands were still raise even. Then I twisted and shoved the board, the Dark Ace still had his foot on it, under the bike.

The Dark Ace fell backwards and I jumped on the bike, grabbing my bag, and kicked the bike into life.

As I raced away, I heard the Dark Ace shout, "What are you imbeciles waiting for? Get her!"

The Switchblades started up and took off after me. The Switchblades were faster than my brother's POS, but I had the advantage of knowing the area. I twisted the bike this way and that bending to the curves.

Glancing behind me I saw, the Dark Ace, Ravess and Snipe in a triangle formation. Ahead of me was Quarter Pipe Ridge, the name speaks for its self but to make it up right you needed the right amount of speed. But the POS couldn't reach that speed, unless… realization hit me, unless you had a velocity crystal. I reached into my bag and pulled out the crystal.

"This will probably tear the bike apart," I said to myself. I grinned, "Oh well, not my bike." I dropped the crystal in and it jolted forward, with a burst of speed. Behind me I heard exclamations and oaths. I shot up the Quarter Pipe. The bike shot up and then there was no ground under me. "Damn," I muttered, "too fast." The bike started falling; I jumped to the wall and gripped hold of it.

Three Switchblades shot straight down to the falling bike. Among them was Ravess. I stifled a laugh and start to a large crack big enough that I could fit in. Just as I slid in the crack there was a crash, looking down at the wreckage I saw the skimmers hovering. Apparently awe struck.

"Wait there she is on the wall," a Goon shouted from above. I looked up and grimaced. So much for that plan, I thought. I slid into the crack, about five feet above me was the opening and the Dark Ace was looking down it.

"Skylar," he said calmly, "why are you down there?"

I looked up at him. "Oh I thought I'd hang out down here and have a picnic."

His lips twitched into a shadow smile. "Mind if I join you then?"

"I don't think you can fit." And my brother's an angel, Ace's is thin enough to fit and strong enough to pull me up there.

"How about you come up then? No one is going to harm you."

I stared at him, "I saw what happened to my brother and I've heard about what you have done."

"You wanted that to happen to your brother and as for want you've heard that doesn't matter. I'm not going to harm you nor will any of the Talons."

I was gaping at him.

"However," he continued, "I can't say the same if you stay here." He glanced over at the ledge. "What will your brother do if he finds out that his bike is a pile of charred, scrap metal?"

I gulped. That didn't sound like fun and I doubted that Ray would be able to help me.

"If what Master Cyclonis asks isn't what you want then I can always bring you back."

I smelled a loophole but the fear of my brother's reaction to his bike being destroyed scared me too much. I started climbing up and, once I was in arm reach, the Dark Ace reached down and pulled me up.

"That's much better," he said, helping me to my feet. He kept a firm grip on my wrist and led me to his Switchblade Elite. "Climb on." I did as I was told. He climbed on in front of me, then reached behind and took my wrists. He pulled my arms around his waist and I felt something hard and cool sliding over my wrists.

I tried to tug my arms back but they were stuck.

"It won't work," He said, sounding slightly amused, "your wrists are cuffed together."

I pulled my wrists apart and found they wouldn't move. I suddenly felt tired. I put my head against his back and found that it was comfortable. "What? Don't trust me not to fall off the back?"

His back vibrated as he chuckled. "Go to sleep, Skylar, when you awaken we'll be in Cyclonia."

I nodded slowly and sank into a calm sleep, as the Talons took off and headed to their, and soon to be my, home.