The Mess Hall looked like a hanger with tables and a serving line. Talons and other Cyclonians sat among each other talking about whatever they were talking about. When the Dark Ace and I walked in there was a hush that filled the room a moment later.

The Dark Ace kept going, ignoring the hush. Great, he must be use to it. I walked after him, self-conscious as eyes followed me. He stepped up to the line, right in the middle of the line.

Several Cyclonians let out shouts, but were silenced by one look for the Dark Ace. The man behind the counter handed the Dark Ace two trays with a glance at me.

The Dark Ace handed me one of the trays and lead me to a table with Ravess and Snipe sitting at it. Snipe was wolfing down a pile of food the same size as me.

Note to self: don't sit too close to Snipe while he's eating. Then remembering my brother's face I added, or when angry!

"Dark Ace," Ravess said as he sat down. She looked at me as I took the seat next to him farthest from Snipe out of fear of being eaten or losing my food. "Babysitting our new friend, Ace?"

I looked at her. "He isn't a babysitter," I said calmly. I looked at him and found he wasn't paying any attention. Slightly annoyed, I looked down at my tray and started eating. I was half way done with my food when a tray slammed into my back.

"Oppsie," a hissing voice said from behind me. "Didn't sssee you there."

I reached behind me and touched my back. It was covered in whatever was on the tray. Now very annoyed, I stood up. When I turned around four Raptors stood there, all of them smiling. "If you need me," I said to the Dark Ace without looking at him, "I'll be in my room." I clicked my heels and skated back to my room.

When I got to my room I slammed the door and pulled off my shirt. I moved to the dresser and opened it. It was supplied with clothes that would fit me. I pulled out a shirt and pulled it on.

There was a knock on the door. I clicked my heels and the wheels withdrew and I opened the door. Master Cyclonis stood there.

"Skylar good you're still here. I thought you might have head to dinner."

I grinned, not sure why exactly since I was in a bad mood. "Actually I just got back from it."

"Oh, you must have been ravished to have eaten that quickly."

"Not really. I had only finished half my meal when I left."

She frowned, "Why would you leave when you were still eating."

I beckoned her in the room, when she entered I closed the door. I walked over to the discarded shirt and showed her the back.

Her eyes narrowed. "Who did that," her voice was low and dangerous.

"Some Raptors," I told her everything that happened since the Dark Ace and I left her.

She listened, sitting on the edge of my bed. When I was done, she was quiet for a moment and then spoke. "What did the Dark Ace do about any of this?"

I shrugged as I pulled out my desk chair and sat down. "I didn't stick around to see. I'm to use to someone picking on me and no one helping me out."

"What do you mean," she looked confused (it was strange). "Didn't you have friends that stood up for you?"

I smiled sadly at her; she truly was confused about this. "I did have friends, two great ones that would help me out if they could. But when you're going up against six guys twice your size, you don't stick your neck out when all it will accomplish is getting beaten up."

She looked at me, and there was hard look in her eyes. All of a sudden she stood up.

I started slightly, taken aback by both her sudden movement and the anger on her face.

"Come with me, Skylar."

I stood slowly and followed her out into the hall. She swept down the hall with me at her heels. She entered the room that I was first brought too.

"I want you to stand in the shadows for now. I want to talk to them without you present. I'll let you know when to come out."

"Why are you doing this?"

She looked at me. "Your friends back on that terra may have been too afraid to stand alongside or in front of you. But I'm not, and I won't stand for anyone picking at you."

I blinked, several times. Part of me could not comprehend what she said, the other part was thankful. Maybe this won't be so bad. Living here, being friends with Master Cyclonis. Man, life was getting more and more weird!